HTTP requests are a given when creating a website, but there are some key strategies that you can use to make fewer requests and speed up page loading times. In this article, we’ll look at how to reduce the number of requests and improve your website’s performance.
First, try to combine files into one request. Combining CSS and JavaScript files can reduce the total number of requests, and help keep your pages' file sizes small. Additionally, you can use image sprites to reduce multiple requests for single images. Instead of downloading multiple images, the browser can download a single image and display it using css positioning.
Next, consider using caching techniques. Caching lets the browser save a copy of the page and its elements, so that when the user visits the page again, the browser can load the cached elements rather than downloading them again. This can help reduce the number of requests and speed up loading times.
Third, look into using content delivery networks (CDNs). CDNs allow users to access certain elements, such as images and scripts, from a server that is closer to their physical location. This reduces latency and makes the page load faster.
Finally, use minification techniques to reduce the size of website elements. Minifying takes out unnecessary characters from files such as CSS and JavaScript, and compresses images so that the files are smaller in size and require fewer requests.
By following these tips, you can make fewer HTTP requests and improve your website’s performance. Doing so can improve user experience and give your website a competitive edge.