Lack of page caching
- Caching
Problem Summary
Lack of page caching means WordPress must generate the full HTML response for every visitor instead of serving a cached copy.
Performance Impact
- Slow TTFB: PHP and database work run for every request
- Poor scalability: Traffic spikes overload the server quickly
- Higher hosting cost: More CPU and database resources are needed
- Unstable speed: Response time varies with backend load
How to Detect
- Response headers: Look for cache hit, miss, or bypass headers
- Repeat tests: Cached pages should get faster after the first request
- Server metrics: High PHP and database usage for anonymous traffic
Solutions
1. Enable Full Page Cache
Use server-level caching or a reliable WordPress caching plugin.
2. Cache at the Edge
A CDN can serve cached HTML close to visitors when rules are configured correctly.
3. Exclude Dynamic Pages
Cart, checkout, account, and personalized pages need careful bypass rules.
4. Purge Intelligently
Clear only affected pages when content changes instead of flushing the whole cache.