Appearance
Performance
The speed of your online store influences:
- Customer Experience: A fast store improves shopping satisfaction.
- Conversion Rates: Faster sites typically lead to more sales.
- Search Engine Ranking: Search engines favor faster-loading websites.
However, speed isn’t everything. Some highly successful stores have low page speed scores. Prioritize a balance between speed and user experience, ensuring essential features for driving sales are maintained.
Store theme slow?
A slow-performing store isn’t necessarily due to the theme. Multiple factors impact performance, including:
- Apps and scripts
- Images and videos
- Fonts
- Carousels, social media feeds, analytics etc.
All themes in the Shopify theme store undergo optimization and testing, but developers have limitations on short-term improvements.
Apps and performance
Apps are often the biggest contributor to slow performance.
Too many apps can significantly reduce your store’s page speed score.
Evaluate the value of each app:
- If an app drives conversions but slows performance, work with the developer to improve its speed.
- If an app isn’t essential, consider uninstalling it to enhance performance.
TIP
Rule of Thumb: Limit the number of installed apps, especially if speed is a priority.
What are good scores?
The definition of a "good" score varies depending on your store's content and apps. Generally:
Stores with apps: aim for:
- 20-30 on mobile
- 30-40 on desktop
- Stores with many apps may have scores as low as 5-10.
Stores without apps: Aim for:
- 50-70 on mobile
- 45-70 on desktop
IMPORTANT
The key is ensuring your store feels fast and responsive. Search engines penalize only abnormally slow stores. If your store feels fast to you, it’s likely fast enough for most users.
Optimize store performance
Fast and responsive websites are crucial for customer satisfaction. Tools like Google PageSpeed and Shopify’s built-in performance tool can help you evaluate your store’s performance. While themes like Etheryx are not usually the cause of slow performance, all OpenThinking themes are being developed with performance in mind and optimized for speed and conversion.
Optimize your images: Large, unoptimized images can significantly slow down your store. Always optimize images before uploading them. If you already have many images, consider using an app like Crush Pics to optimize them.
Be mindful of images and videos: Too many large and unoptimized images and/or videos can negatively impact performance. Use them sparingly.
Manage fonts carefully: Excessive fonts or custom fonts can contribute to slower load times.
Audit your apps: Regularly review and remove apps you no longer use. Unused apps can leave unnecessary code that slows down your site.
Limit storefront apps: Aim for no more than three (3) apps that directly impact the storefront to keep your store efficient.
Properly uninstall apps: When removing apps, reach out to the developer for cleanup instructions. "Dead code" left behind by apps can accumulate and degrade performance.
Evaluate features: Some features, like the dynamic checkout button, can impact performance. Use them strategically.
Simplify content and layout: Avoid overloading your homepage with products or sections. Stick to 4–6 sections for a balance between content and speed.
IMPORTANT
Don’t get overly fixated on performance metrics. Prioritize the overall user experience to ensure your store feels fast and responsive to customers. Following these tips will help your store run smoothly and efficiently.