Boost Your Magento Store Performance: Essential Optimization Tips

Optimizing your Magento store’s performance is crucial for thriving in the competitive online market.

A slow Magento website can frustrate customers, increase bounce rates, and ultimately lead to lost sales. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover proven strategies and easy-to-apply tips for enhancing your Magento store’s performance. From selecting the right hosting provider to utilizing advanced features like Varnish Cache and Elasticsearch, you’ll learn how to improve your eCommerce site’s speed and provide a better shopping experience that drives higher conversion rates.

Magento Performance Optimization Best Practices

Here are simple yet effective strategies to improve your Magento website’s speed and performance:

Choose the right Magento hosting provider
Run your Magento store in production mode
Enable GZIP compression
Optimize your product images
Minify and bundle CSS and JavaScript
Use a CDN
Optimize the checkout process
Utilize caching techniques
Optimize your database
Implement Elasticsearch for improved search performance
Update the Magento version
Optimize server-side configurations
Analyze and monitor Magento store’s performance

1. Choose the Right Magento Hosting Provider

Your hosting solution has a direct impact on your Magento site’s performance, making it essential to choose wisely. Ideally, you should host your eCommerce store on dedicated hosting or a virtual private server (VPS) for enhanced resources and performance. However, dedicated servers can be costly, making them less suitable for startups or smaller stores. On the other hand, VPS offers a balanced solution, providing better performance than shared hosting at an affordable price.

Hostinger is renowned for its high-performance VPS plans tailored specifically for Magento stores. These plans offer up to 8 CPU cores, 32 GB of RAM, and 400 GB of NVMe SSD storage, ensuring your store runs smoothly even during peak traffic periods. Additionally, Hostinger provides comprehensive security features, including automated weekly backups, firewall and DDoS protection, and a malware scanner to safeguard your store.

Another unique feature is VPS templates, allowing you to set up applications with just a few clicks. This means you can easily install Magento and its necessary components without manual configuration. Furthermore, Hostinger’s VPS service is scalable, allowing you to start with a basic plan and upgrade as your online store grows, ensuring you always have the resources you need.

2. Run Your Magento Store in Production Mode

Running your Magento store in the correct mode can significantly optimize its performance. Magento offers two main modes: development and production. Development mode is designed for building and testing your site, providing detailed error messages and easier debugging. However, this mode can slow down your eCommerce store due to constant logging and error reporting.

On the other hand, production mode is optimized for live sites. It disables unnecessary features that are only needed during development, reducing server load, improving stability, and securing your store by hiding error messages that could expose vulnerabilities.

Switch to Production Mode

To switch your Magento website to production mode, follow these steps:

Log in to your server via a terminal or an SSH client like PuTTY. For Hostinger VPS customers, find your SSH credentials in the VPS details section at the bottom of the VPS Overview page.
Open your Magento installation’s root directory.
Execute the following command to switch to production mode:

php bin/magento deploy:mode:set production

Verify your store’s current mode by running:

php bin/magento deploy:mode:show

3. Enable GZIP Compression

GZIP compression condenses web files, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, before sending them from the server to the browser. This compression can significantly reduce file sizes, sometimes by up to 70-90%, leading to faster load times. It also improves your Magento store’s SEO, as faster-loading pages are favored by search engines like Google, enhancing your rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Enabling GZIP Compression

Here’s how to enable GZIP compression on two popular web servers, Apache and NGINX:

For Apache Servers:

In your Magento installation’s root directory, open the .htaccess file using the nano text editor:

sudo nano .htaccess

Insert the following lines of code to enable GZIP compression:

<ifmodule mod_deflate.c> 
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/html 
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/css 
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/javascript 
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/javascript 
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/plain 
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE image/x-icon 
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/x-font-ttf 
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/x-font-opentype 
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/x-font-woff 
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/x-font-woff2 
</ifmodule>

Press Ctrl + X, then Y, and Enter to save and exit nano.

For NGINX Servers:

Open the NGINX configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf

Insert these lines within the http block to enable GZIP compression:

gzip on; 
gzip_types text/plain text/css application/json application/javascript text/xml application/xml application/xml+rss text/javascript; 
gzip_proxied no-cache no-store private expired auth; 
gzip_min_length 1000; 
gzip_disable "MSIE [1-6].";

Save and close the file.
Restart the NGINX web server to apply the changes:

sudo service nginx restart

4. Optimize Your Product Images

High-quality images are vital for an eCommerce site as they enhance product appeal. However, large file sizes can slow down your website. Here are some Magento image optimization tips to maintain high-quality images without negatively impacting site performance:

Image Compression

Compressing images reduces their file size without significantly affecting their quality. Here are several methods to compress your images:

Online Tools: Use tools like TinyPNG or JPEG-Optimizer to compress images before uploading them to your Magento store.
Extensions: Install Magento extensions like Image Optimizer, which automatically compress images during upload. If you’re unsure how to install extensions, refer to our Magento tutorial.
Manual Compression: Use image editing software like Adobe Photoshop to adjust the quality settings manually.

Lazy Loading

Lazy loading is a technique where images load only when visitors are about to enter the viewport, reducing the initial web page load time and conserving bandwidth. To implement lazy loading, install the Magento 2 Image Lazy Load Extension:

Access your Magento admin panel and go to Stores → MAGEFAN EXTENSIONS → Image Lazy Load.
In Lazy Load Blocks, select where to apply this technique as per your needs.
Test your website to ensure that lazy loading works correctly.

Proper Image Formats

Next-gen image formats like WebP provide superior compression compared to older formats like JPEG and PNG. They are smaller without compromising quality, making them ideal for web use. Unfortunately, Magento doesn’t support direct uploading of WebP images. However, the Magento 2 Convert Images to WebP extension can automatically convert your images to this format upon upload.

5. Minify and Bundle CSS and JavaScript

Minification and bundling help reduce CSS and JavaScript file sizes, resulting in faster loading times and improved performance. Minification removes unnecessary characters, such as whitespace and comments, without affecting functionality. Bundling combines multiple JavaScript or CSS files into one file, reducing the number of HTTP requests the browser needs to make.

Minifying and Bundling in Magento

Magento has built-in features for minifying and bundling files. Here’s how to enable them:

Go to Stores → Configuration → Advanced → Developer.
In JavaScript Settings, set Minify JavaScript Files and Enable JavaScript Bundling to Yes.
In the CSS Settings section, enable Merge CSS Files and Minify CSS Files.
Click Save Config to implement your changes.

6. Use a CDN

A content delivery network (CDN) is a group of servers distributed across various locations that deliver static content, such as images, CSS, and JavaScript files, from the server closest to the user. This reduces latency and load times. CDNs can also handle traffic spikes, ensuring consistent performance during high-demand periods, and offer security features like DDoS protection.

Integrating a CDN with Magento

To integrate a CDN with your Magento store, choose a provider that meets your needs, such as Cloudflare, Amazon CloudFront, or Fastly. Set up an account and point your domain to the CDN’s nameservers. Then, follow these steps:

Open your Magento dashboard and navigate to Stores → Configuration → General → Web.
Expand the Base URLs section.
Update the Base URL for Static View Files and Base URL for User Media Files fields with the URL provided by your CDN, for example, http://yourcdn.domain.com/.
Repeat the same process for the Base URLs (Secure) section using secure URLs like https://yourcdn.domain.com/.
Save your changes.
Go to System → Cache Management and hit both Flush Cache Storage and Flush Magento Cache.

7. Optimize the Checkout Process

Optimizing the checkout process can enhance your eCommerce store’s performance by reducing load times and server stress while boosting conversion rates by minimizing cart abandonment. Here are some tips to streamline your checkout process:

Reduce the Number of Steps

A streamlined checkout process reduces customer friction, making it quicker and easier for customers to complete their purchase. Here are some strategies:

Enable one-page checkout: Go to Stores → Configuration → Sales → Checkout and set Enable Onepage Checkout to Yes.
Use guest checkout: Allow customers to check out as guests without creating an account. Set Allow Guest Checkout to Yes.
Remove unnecessary fields: Simplify forms by asking only for essential information.
Utilize auto-fill information: Use auto-fill features for returning customers to speed up the process.

Simplify the Process to Minimize Cart Abandonment

Make each step user-friendly. Consider applying these strategies:

Clear progress indicators: Use indicators to show customers where they are in the checkout process.
Mobile optimization: Ensure the checkout process is fully optimized for mobile devices.
Simplified forms: Combine billing and shipping address fields when they are the same.
Inline validation: Provide real-time feedback on form fields for immediate error correction.
Multiple payment options: Offer various payment methods to cater to customer preferences.

8. Utilize Caching Techniques

Caching stores copies of web pages and static content, reducing server load and speeding up response times. Here are some caching techniques to implement:

Full-Page Caching

Full-page caching stores a complete copy of each page, enabling quick serving from the cache. To enable full-page caching in Magento:

Go to Stores → Configuration → Advanced → System.
In the Full Page Cache section, set Caching Application to Built-in Cache.
Save your configurations.

Varnish Cache

Varnish Cache is a web application accelerator that caches dynamic content and serves it quickly. To enable Varnish Cache:

Set the Caching Application value to Varnish Cache.
Enter the appropriate settings in the Varnish Configuration section.

Browser Caching

Browser caching stores static files on the user’s local device, enhancing load times on subsequent visits. To activate browser caching:

Open the .htaccess file in your Magento installation’s root directory.
Insert these lines to set expiry headers for static content:

<ifmodule mod_expires.c> 
ExpiresActive On 
ExpiresByType image/jpg "access plus 1 year" 
ExpiresByType image/jpeg "access plus 1 year" 
ExpiresByType image/gif "access plus 1 year" 
ExpiresByType image/png "access plus 1 year" 
ExpiresByType text/css "access plus 1 month" 
ExpiresByType application/pdf "access plus 1 month" 
ExpiresByType text/x-javascript "access plus 1 month" 
ExpiresByType application/x-shockwave-flash "access plus 1 month" 
ExpiresByType image/x-icon "access plus 1 year" 
ExpiresDefault "access plus 2 days" 
</ifmodule>

Save your edits.

9. Optimize Your Database

Optimizing your Magento database ensures quick access to product and category information. Here are two effective ways to optimize:

Use Flat Tables for Products and Categories

Flat tables store product and category data in a single table, reducing the complexity of database queries. To enable flat tables:

Navigate to Stores → Configuration → Catalog → Catalog.
Set both Use Flat Catalog Category and Use Flat Catalog Product to Yes.
Save your edits and go to System → Index Management.
Check all indexers and select Update by Schedule from the drop-down menu. Click Submit to reindex data.

Clean Outdated Data and Logs

Regularly cleaning outdated data and logs can maintain database performance. Here’s how to clean them:

Log in to your server via SSH.
Access your Magento database with the command:

mysql -u yourusername -p yourdatabasename

Run these SQL queries to clean up log tables:

TRUNCATE TABLE log_visitor; 
TRUNCATE TABLE log_visitor_info; 
TRUNCATE TABLE log_url; 
TRUNCATE TABLE log_url_info; 
TRUNCATE TABLE log_quote; 
TRUNCATE TABLE report_viewed_product_index; 
TRUNCATE TABLE report_compared_product_index; 
TRUNCATE TABLE report_event;

Execute the following to defrag your tables:

OPTIMIZE TABLE sales_flat_order; 
OPTIMIZE TABLE sales_flat_order_item;

Clean up the message queue:

DELETE FROM queue_message WHERE created_at < NOW() - INTERVAL 30 DAY;

10. Implement Elasticsearch for Improved Search Performance

Elasticsearch enhances your Magento store’s search functionality. Here are several advantages:

Relevance: Delivers more relevant search results.
Faceted Search: Allows visitors to filter results by various attributes.
Autocomplete: Provides suggestions as users type.
Speed: Quickly handles large volumes of data and queries.

Implementing Elasticsearch in Magento

To implement Elasticsearch:

Navigate to Stores → Configuration → Catalog → Catalog.
Select Elasticsearch 7 from the Catalog Search section.
Configure the Elasticsearch server details, such as hostname and server port.
Click Test Connection to ensure Magento can connect.
Save your configurations and go to System → Index Management to reindex catalog search data.

11. Update the Magento Version

Keeping your Magento store up to date is essential for performance, security, and access to the latest features. Here’s how to update Magento safely:

Create a full backup of your Magento store.
Put your store into maintenance mode:

php bin/magento maintenance:enable

Update the platform via Composer:

composer require commerce magento/product-community-edition --no-update 
composer update

Execute these commands to complete the update:

php bin/magento setup:upgrade 
php bin/magento setup:di:compile 
php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy -f

Turn off maintenance mode:

php bin/magento maintenance:disable

Verify the store’s functionality and clear the cache if necessary.

12. Optimize Server-Side Configurations

In addition to updating Magento, you must optimize server configurations to maintain site stability and security. Regularly update components like PHP and MySQL, and consider using the HTTP/2 protocol.

Use the Latest PHP and MySQL Versions

Check the current PHP version:

php -v

Update to the latest PHP version:

sudo apt update 
sudo apt install php

Ensure all necessary extensions are installed:

sudo apt install php-common php-mysql php-curl php-xml php-gd php-mbstring

Check and update the MySQL version:

mysql --version 
sudo apt install mysql-server

Consider HTTP/2

HTTP/2 offers several advantages for your eCommerce store:

Faster Load Times: Allows multiple requests over a single TCP connection.
Improved Security: Requires encryption with HTTPS.
Better Compression: Supports header compression.

Enabling HTTP/2

For Apache servers:

Enable the HTTP/2 module:

sudo a2enmod http2

Open the Apache configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/000-default.conf

Add the following configuration:

<virtualhost *:443> 
Protocols h2 http/1.1 
...
</virtualhost>

Restart Apache:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

For NGINX servers, follow similar steps to enable HTTP/2.

13. Analyze and Monitor Magento Store’s Performance

Regularly check your online store’s performance using various tools and apply improvements based on collected data to maintain optimal site speed and user experience.

Performance Tools

Performance monitoring tools help track your Magento store’s speed and efficiency, providing insights into its performance. Some website speed test tools include:

Google PageSpeed Insights: Analyzes your website content and provides suggestions for faster loading.
GTmetrix: Offers detailed reports on performance, including load time and total page size.
New Relic: Provides real-time insights into server performance, helping identify bottlenecks.

Regular Audits

Conducting regular audits helps maintain optimal website performance. Here’s how to audit your eCommerce site:

Utilize performance tools to gather data.
Analyze reports to identify issues affecting speed.
Prioritize issues needing immediate attention.
Apply necessary improvements based on prioritized problems.
Test changes using performance tools to ensure issues are resolved.
Document problems identified, improvements made, and results achieved for future reference.

Conclusion

In this article, we covered numerous strategies to speed up Magento stores. Choosing a reputable hosting provider and CDN service can significantly improve loading speed and server response time. Implementing Elasticsearch and optimizing your database contribute to quicker search results and data retrieval. Regularly updating your Magento version and using performance tools can help maintain optimal speed and security.

By following these tips, your eCommerce site can expect higher customer satisfaction and conversion rates. We hope this article has been helpful. If you have questions or want to share additional tips, feel free to use the comment section below.

Magento Performance Optimization FAQ

Why is Magento performance optimization important?

Performance optimization in Magento is crucial as it impacts user experience and conversion rates. A well-optimized eCommerce store can handle more traffic efficiently, prevent downtime during peak periods, and provide an enjoyable shopping experience.

How can I make Magento faster?

To make your Magento website faster, use a reliable hosting provider, enable Varnish Cache, optimize uploaded images, implement Elasticsearch, and update to the latest Magento version. Regular performance audits using tools like GTmetrix can also help.

Can extensions or modules affect Magento performance?

Yes, poorly coded or unnecessary third-party extensions can slow down Magento. To avoid performance degradation, regularly review and turn off unused extensions, ensuring all installed ones are well-coded and optimized for performance.

Looking to enhance your Magento performance? Start with Hostinger today for high-speed hosting solutions!