Best Practices for Optimizing Frontend Load Times published 1/10/2023 | 3 min read

Introduction

In pursuit of superior web performance, frontend load time has emerged as a critical measure. This blog post explores effective strategies for optimizing load times to ensure seamless user interaction.

Optimize Image Load

Images constitute a significant portion of data load in many web applications. Employing strategies to minimize image size without losing quality can result in significant improvements in load speeds.

Consider using tools like ImageOptim or APIs like Cloudinary to compress your images. Alternatively, use the srcset attribute in HTML to serve the appropriately-sized images for a user’s device and screen resolution.

  
<img src="small.jpg"
     srcset="medium.jpg 1000w,
             large.jpg 2000w"
     sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw,
            50vw"
     alt="A meaningfully described image">

Reduce HTTP Requests

HTTP requests have an overhead cost which can slow down page load times, especially if there are many of them. You can reduce the number of HTTP requests by combining your CSS and JavaScript files. Tools like Webpack makes this task efficient.

JavaScript and CSS at the Bottom

Adding your JavaScript and CSS at the bottom of the body prevents them from blocking the rendering of the HTML. This results in an apparent quicker page load time for the user.

  
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
    ...
      <link href="styles.css" rel="stylesheet">
      <script src="script.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

Leverage Caching

Use browser caching to store resources (images, JavaScript files, CSS files) that do not frequently change on the user's local disk. This can decrease load times for repeat visitors.

Instruct caching by using the Cache-Control HTTP header in your server response:

  
res.setHeader('Cache-Control', 'public, max-age=86400');

Compress Data

Compression can significantly reduce the size of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, making them quicker to download. Use tools and libraries like gzip or Brotli for this.

Use Content Delivery Network (CDN)

Utilizing a CDN can get your static resources closer to the location of your users, thereby reducing the time it takes for these resources to be delivered.

Culling the Unneeded

Remove unused CSS and JavaScript. It not only creates extra network traffic but also processing time. Tools like Unused CSS and PurgeCSS can help you find and remove this dead weight.

Conclusion

Reducing frontend load times can substantially improve the user experience and increase engagement. By utilizing these practical tips, you can boost page load speeds, optimize resource usage, and enhance overall web performance. Remember, good performance practices yield happy users and, in turn, success in your web initiatives.

Let's continue to turn the web into a faster and more enjoyable experience for everyone!