PrestaShop stands as a dominant force among Small & Medium enterprises, offering an open-source eCommerce CMS with premium functionalities. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a PrestaShop maintenance agency, mastering some basic tricks can significantly enhance your PrestaShop’s performance and security levels. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the 12 easiest steps to follow to boost your PrestaShop store’s core web vitals.
Understanding Google’s Core Web Vitals
Google introduced the ‘Core Web Vitals’ in May 2020, comprising a set of parameters crucial for website health and user experience. These vitals play a pivotal role in determining a website’s ranking on Google’s SERP, affecting more than 53% of organic web traffic. The three main components of Core Web Vitals are:
– Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
– First Input Delay (FID)
– Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
1) Keep Your PrestaShop Software Updated
Ensure your PrestaShop is always up to date to benefit from the latest security patches, bug fixes, and performance optimizations.
2) Defragment Your Database Regularly
Optimize your PrestaShop database through defragmentation to improve performance by removing unnecessary or invalid data.
3) Utilize a Cache Module
Implementing a cache module can significantly enhance your PrestaShop’s speed by storing frequently accessed data for quick retrieval.
4) Integrate Gzip Compressor
Leverage Gzip compression to boost your PrestaShop’s speed by reducing file sizes and improving loading times.
5) Invest in a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
Employing a CDN can distribute web traffic across multiple servers, resulting in faster page loading times regardless of the user’s geographical location.
6) Configure Your Template Engine Smarty
Optimize your website’s performance by configuring the Smarty template engine to ensure dynamic and colorful content.
7) Maintain Consistent Screen Formats
Ensure consistency in screen formats throughout your website to enhance user experience and streamline navigation.
8) Limit the Number of Plugins
Avoid overloading your PrestaShop with plugins, as excessive plugins can significantly slow down your website.
9) Enable CCC (Compress, Combine, Cache)
Activate CCC settings in your PrestaShop backend to keep your website optimized and ahead of the competition.
10) Optimize Images & Media
Optimize images and media files on your website to improve loading times and overall performance.
11) Switch to Ridjnael for Cookie Encryption
Enhance security by switching your cookie encryption method to Ridjnael within the PrestaShop backend.
12) Ensure Secure Website Surfing Experience
Regularly scan your website for malicious content and secure outbound links to provide a safe browsing experience for visitors.
The Final Suggestion!
By implementing these 12 steps, you can not only improve your PrestaShop’s core web vitals but also enhance sales, conversion rates, and customer satisfaction. If any of these steps seem daunting, don’t hesitate to reach out to E-Startups Kenya. Our experienced team is dedicated to ensuring your PrestaShop remains optimized and secure, driving your online business to new heights. For expert PrestaShop optimization and support, trust E-Startups Kenya – Your Partner in Digital Success.
