Why I Stopped Using Page Speed Plugins and What I Do Instead
For years, I used page speed optimization plugins on just about every WordPress site I built. WP Rocket, Autoptimize, W3 Total Cache—whatever promised faster load times, I installed it. And for a while, they worked. Sites loaded faster. Google PageSpeed scores improved. Clients were happy.
Then things started breaking. Cached CSS conflicted with dynamic content. JavaScript minification broke third-party scripts. And troubleshooting became a nightmare because I couldn’t tell which plugin—or which setting—caused the issue.
That’s when I realized: page speed plugins aren’t the solution. They’re a band-aid. At MKS Web Design, I’ve completely changed how I approach performance optimization—and honestly, sites are faster and more stable now than they ever were with plugins doing the heavy lifting.
The problem with page speed plugins
Page speed plugins try to fix performance problems after they exist. They minify bloated code, defer scripts that shouldn’t load on every page, and cache resources that should’ve been optimized from the start.
Here’s what I kept running into:
- Compatibility issues — Plugins conflict with page builders, themes, or other plugins
- Broken functionality — Minified JavaScript breaks forms, sliders, or dynamic content
- Cache confusion — Clients see old content, or updates don’t appear without clearing cache
- Plugin bloat — Adding more plugins to fix performance… adds more weight
Every time I had to troubleshoot a site, the first step was: disable the caching plugin. That’s when I knew something had to change.
What I do instead: build performance in from the start
Instead of relying on plugins to optimize poorly built sites, I now focus on building lightweight, optimized sites from day one. This means making performance decisions during development—not after launch.
Here’s my current workflow:
1. Choose a performance-focused page builder
I use Bricks Builder and Oxygen almost exclusively now. Both generate clean, minimal HTML and CSS. There’s no bloat. No unnecessary divs. No inline styles scattered everywhere.
Compare that to builders like Elementor or Divi, which load significantly more resources on every page. The builder you choose sets the foundation for performance—everything else builds on that. I wrote more about my builder preferences in my WordPress page builder comparison.
2. Optimize images before uploading
I don’t rely on lazy-loading plugins or automated image compression anymore. Instead, I optimize images before they hit the server. Tools like ImageOptim, TinyPNG, or Squoosh handle this perfectly.
I also convert images to modern formats like WebP whenever possible. Most browsers support it now, and file sizes drop significantly without losing quality.
3. Load scripts conditionally
One of the biggest performance killers is loading JavaScript and CSS on every page—even when it’s not needed. For example, if a contact form only exists on one page, why load the form plugin’s scripts site-wide?
I use custom functions or plugins like Asset CleanUp (sparingly) to control what loads where. This keeps page weight down and reduces render-blocking resources.
4. Use server-level caching instead of plugin-based caching
This was the game-changer. Instead of caching plugins, I now rely on server-level caching through hosting providers or CDN services like Cloudflare.
Most quality managed WordPress hosts (like Kinsta, WP Engine, or even good xCloud setups) offer built-in caching that’s faster and more reliable than any plugin. Cloudflare adds another layer with edge caching and CDN delivery.
The result? Pages load faster, updates propagate cleanly, and I don’t have to deal with cache conflicts or weird plugin settings.
5. Keep plugins minimal
Every plugin adds weight—CSS, JavaScript, database queries. I’m ruthless about keeping plugin counts low. If a feature can be handled with a few lines of custom code or a native WordPress function, I skip the plugin entirely.
For Kansas business sites I build at MKS Web Design, most installations run 10-15 plugins max. That includes essentials like SEOPress, ACF Pro, and a form plugin. Everything else is built into the theme or page builder.
What about caching plugins entirely?
I don’t use them anymore—at least not in the traditional sense. If a host doesn’t offer server-level caching, I pair Cloudflare’s free CDN with lightweight object caching (via Redis or Memcached if the host supports it).
For sites that absolutely need a plugin-based solution, I’ll use something minimal like WP Super Cache instead of heavier options. But even then, it’s a last resort.
The results: faster, more stable sites
Since shifting to this approach, sites load faster, break less often, and require way less maintenance. Client support tickets dropped because caching-related issues disappeared. And Google PageSpeed scores? Still solid—usually 90+ on mobile without any tricks or plugins.
Performance isn’t about tools. It’s about decisions. Build smart from the start, and you won’t need plugins to fix things later.
Final thoughts
If your site relies on page speed plugins to load quickly, it’s worth asking: what’s causing the slowness in the first place? Fixing the root cause—bloated builders, unoptimized images, excessive plugins—will always beat slapping a caching plugin on top.
Want help optimizing your WordPress site the right way? Get in touch—I’d be happy to take a look.
— Anthony Richter
