Caching is one of the most effective ways to speed up your website. By storing copies of content, you reduce server load and deliver pages faster to visitors.
Types of Caching
Browser Caching
Stores files on the visitor's device. Returning visitors load cached files instead of downloading again.
Server-Side Caching
Stores processed pages or data on the server, reducing database queries and processing time.
CDN Caching
Stores content on edge servers worldwide for faster delivery to visitors.
Browser Caching Setup
Cache-Control Headers
Cache-Control: public, max-age=31536000This tells browsers to cache the file for one year.
What to Cache (and for How Long)
| Resource | Cache Duration |
|---|---|
| Images | 1 year |
| CSS/JS (versioned) | 1 year |
| Fonts | 1 year |
| HTML pages | Short or none |
Server-Side Caching
Page Caching
Store fully rendered HTML pages. Great for pages that don't change often.
Object Caching
Cache database queries and computed objects. Use Redis or Memcached.
Opcode Caching
Cache compiled PHP code. OPcache is built into PHP 5.5+.
WordPress Caching
- WP Rocket: All-in-one caching (paid)
- W3 Total Cache: Comprehensive free option
- LiteSpeed Cache: Great for LiteSpeed servers
Cache Invalidation
When content changes, cached versions need updating:
- Use versioned filenames (style.v2.css)
- Set up automatic purging on content updates
- Use cache tags for granular invalidation
Common Caching Mistakes
- Caching personalized content
- No cache busting strategy
- Caching error pages
- Too-short cache durations
Related: Reduce Server Response Time
0 comments