Article -> Article Details
Title | RocketPress & Cloudfare — The Perfect Duo for WordPress |
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Category | Computers --> Algorithms |
Meta Keywords | Speed optimization plugin for wordpress |
Owner | RocketPress |
Description | |
In this article, I will explain why I use the cache plugin RocketPress and CDN service Cloudfare as my go-to selections to boost site speed. Over the last few years, I’ve built blog sites using some of the best plugins and WordPress themes available today. Like any blog built on WordPress, site speed and performance are super important. In fact, they’re arguably the most important impressions of a site because no one likes a slow site and its easier to click away to someone else’s site. In this article, I will explain why I use the cache plugin RocketPress and CDN service Cloudfare as my go-to selections to boost site speed and fix Pagespeed diagnostic concerns like properly sized images, reduced unused CSS, and so on. I’ve used these on my sites and can attest to the speed differences. Both are very good and highly recommended. What is RocketPress and how does it work for your blog?RocketPress is a popular plugin specifically designed to improve the performance of WordPress websites, including blogs. It tackles a major factor that can frustrate readers: slow loading times. Here’s how it works its magic: RocketPress uses a technique called caching. Imagine your blog content as a restaurant menu. When a customer (reader) visits for the first time, the waiter (server) has to fetch the menu (content) and present it. RocketPress creates a static copy of that menu beforehand. So, on subsequent visits, the waiter can quickly grab the pre-prepared copy, significantly reducing waiting time (loading time) for your readers. But RocketPress goes beyond basic caching. It also optimizes various elements of your blog. For instance, it can minify code (like CSS and Javascript), making it smaller and faster to load. It can also implement lazy loading for images, which means images only load when a reader scrolls down to them, further improving initial page load times. How much does RocketPress cost?RocketPress offers three pricing tiers, all billed annually:
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
Remember: These are annual prices. There are no monthly billing options available. What is Cloudfare and how does it work for blogs?Cloudfare is a company that offers a variety of internet services, but for blogs, it mainly focuses on two things: security and performance. Here’s another way to look at it. Imagine Cloudfare as a security guard for your blog. It filters out malicious traffic like spam comments or hacking attempts before they reach your blog’s server, keeping your site safe. It also protects against DDoS attacks that aim to overload your server and crash your blog. On the performance side, Cloudfare has a massive global network. When someone visits your blog, Cloudfare can deliver the content from a server closer to them, making it load much faster. It can even optimize images for faster loading times. Even Cloudfare’s free plan offers basic features to enhance your blog’s security and performance, resulting in a smoother experience for your readers. Cloudfare plansCloudfare doesn’t have separate plans specifically designed for blogs, but their existing plans work well for bloggers. Here’s the breakdown of plans and pricing:
Here’s the key takeaway:
For exact pricing: Cloudfare’s pricing can vary slightly depending on billing options (monthly vs. annually) and potential add-ons. It’s always best to check their website for the latest pricing details: https://www.cloudfare.com/plans/ ConclusionYou will undoubtedly see a speed difference when you use this tandem. After testing many different cache plugins and CDN services, I found this to be the best pairing I’ve used. Both dramatically improve site speed while sprinkling in a few great features to enhance security and content delivery to your site. It’s definitely a no-brainer, in my opinion. Another note before I close is cost. If you’re serious about blogging or e-commerce, certain costs cannot be avoided, as they typically roll in one way or another. Site speed is important to me, and first impressions can be everything for any prospective visitor. It will pay for itself on day one. |