Learn how to enhance the performance of your dynamic content while still creating visually stunning animations with Slider Revolution in this informative guide.
High-quality graphics that are visually impressive and adaptable to various screen sizes can sometimes slow down website loading times.
But no fear, you’ll soon see how easy it is to have the best of both worlds (the sizzle, without the slowdown) with the help of built-in Slider Revolution settings, plus our Smush, Hummingbird, and hosting tools.
Skip ahead.
Feel free to skip ahead to any of the topics we’ll be covering:
- Slider Revolution, Dragster or Drag?
- Our Performance Testing Guidelines
- Parameters
- Procedure
- Particulars
- How To Sizzle, Without The Slowdown
- Making Slider Revolution(ary) Speed Gains
Slider Revolution, Dragster or Drag?
Slider Revolution by ThemePunch for WordPress offers more than 200 templates, over 2000 elements, and 25 additional add-ons.
They also offer competitive pricing, with the option of purchasing lifetime access with a single payment.
That’s a lot of possibility in a package. But we’ve been burned before by heavyweight hitters stalling out page speeds.
But no need to worry, we’ve worked out a solution.
With our tried and true method, you’ll be back to blazing speeds faster than the Millennium Falcon made the Kessel Run. 
Guidelines for Conducting Performance Testing
For our test to have merit, it’s essential we set up a set of ground rules and guidelines. They are as follows:
Parameters
- We’ll be using a clean foundation, meaning, our site will be built on a brand new WordPress installation.
- Once the initial setup is complete, our appearance settings and choices will remain unchanged.
- Hosting is through WPMU DEV Managed WordPress hosting (Bronze plan).
- Plugins on deck are Slider Revolution (SR), Smush, and Hummingbird*.
(If you’re using our hosting, you will also have the WPMU DEV Dashboard plugin, as it’s automatically installed on sites hosted by us.) - Speed Testing will be conducted through two sites
- Google PageSpeed Insights (GPSI)
- GTmetrix (GTM), using the following defaults:
- Server location (Vancouver, Canada)
- Browser (Chrome Desktop)
- During the speed test process, I performed each test thrice consecutively and selected the median value as my documented result.
Procedure
-
- Install Slider Revolution; apply a template/module
(cost associated, Slider Revolution) - Tweak SR’s File Size Optimizing feature
The cost associated with Slider Revolution. - Install Smush; optimize settings (free plugin)
- Install Hummingbird; optimize settings (free plugin)
- Activate CDN in Hummingbird
(cost associated, Hummingbird Pro)
- Install Slider Revolution; apply a template/module
- Turn on FastCGI in the Hub
(cost associated, WPMU DEV Hosting) - After completing each of the aforementioned actions, conduct pace assessments using complimentary websites.
Particulars
The Pro versions of Smush & Hummingbird will be installed on sites hosted by WPMU DEV.
To mirror non-pro versions of the plugins, my initial tests were conducted with the Pro features disabled*.
Hummingbird optimization uses different types of caching and compression features on sites. Page, Gravatar, and RSS caching were disabled.
WPMU DEV turns on browser caching and GZip compression by default; this is standard for most hosts. These will remain on during our tests, since we can’t turn them off without impacting other settings.
As we’ve mentioned in other articles of our optimization series, please note that because of the variances inherent to each element, no one will have identical results.
The geographical location, the size of the media library, and the hosting provider all contribute to the overall picture in distinct ways.
No matter your particular site environment, you are bound to see marked improvement with this process.
We are going for beauty and brawn, so Slider Revolution will not only be visually stunning, but a highly functional and fast flying site.
[Editor’s note: The tests below were done with earlier versions of Smush and Hummingbird. Our plugins have been redesigned to allow for white labeling and reselling].
How to be efficient without experiencing a delay.
First up, let’s install Slider Revolution on a fresh WP site, with no other pages, posts, etc.
After installing, select a New Module from Template, from the SR dashboard. I chose “Mini Website”, which required the addition of the Particles Effect add-on.
I adjusted a few settings to customize the content more to my liking. There are so many options to explore, I could have spent hours getting lost in it.
But on to the task at hand! A quick copy & paste with shortcode, and my landing page is revolutionized. 🙂
How YOU doin?
Time for our initial speed tests.
There is currently a file size optimizer feature baked into Slider Revolution. We’ll try that and see if it gives us a bump.
The screen for optimizing files displays the images within the module that have the potential for optimization, accompanied by a slider for making modifications. (Refer to the SR File Size Optimizer Documentation.)
After making some adjustments, let’s do a speed test to check for improvements.
There are some overall tips and tweaks you can gain strides with, which we’ll cover a little later.
But to really enhance your site speed using Slider Revolution, you’re best served by top quality hosting, and plugins specifically designed for optimizing.
By implementing our top-notch (and complimentary!) optimization plugins, Smush and Hummingbird, your website’s loading times will be significantly faster.
Let’s install and activate Smush.
When you access the Smush dashboard, you will be presented with the quick setup wizard. The options available for configuration are: Automatic Compression, EXIF Metadata Removal, Full Size Image Optimization, Lazy Loading, and Usage Data Collection.
Here’s what each feature does:
- Auto Compression ― automatically optimizes new image uploads, so you don’t have to do each one manually.
- EXIF Metadata – removes camera settings information from your images, which helps to decrease the file size. (No need to worry; it will not remove SEO metadata).
- Full Size Images ― compresses your original full size images. (Note: it stores copies of your originals by default, in case you ever want to revert back. This feature is Pro only.)
- Lazy Load – prevents images that are not currently visible on the screen from loading until a visitor scrolls down to view them.
- Usage Data ― lets our designers gain insight into what features need improvement. (Your personal data will never be tracked.)
Proceed to navigate through each interface, maintaining the default configurations. (Enabling Usage Data will contribute to the improvement of upcoming updates of the plugin, however, if you have any reservations about participating, feel free to disable it.)
After the wizard is finished, the dashboard will display the number of images that could benefit from compression. Press the Bulk Smush Now button to enable its powerful feature.
What do our image optimization stats look like now, Ms. Smush?
Let’s see how much that lightened the (page) load, and do our speed tests again.
Time to kick things into high gear, and let Hummingbird flit on the scene.
After installing and activating Hummingbird, going to the dashboard will activate another quick setup wizard. She will suggest running a performance test, which is exactly what we want to do.
After the test is finished, you will receive a notification informing you of its completion. The dashboard displays the results of the performance test.
Hummingbird displays a list of Score Metrics that were rated during the performance test.
For some performance issues, Hummingbird’s own features can be activated or tweaked to address them.
In other cases, Hummingbird will identify the issue, with the fix required in a separate plugin (e.g., Smush Pro).
When a plugin is not the best solution, and a bit of code editing is required, Hummingbird provides specific instructions for how to fix it.
Other measurements, referred to as Audits, classify problems into groups such as Opportunities, Diagnostics, and Passed Audits.
Opportunities are basically color-coded alerts. Yellow indicates a mild to moderate issue, and Red means the issue is impacting performance to a greater degree as compared to other sites.
In this performance evaluation, Hummingbird has indicated that I have an item in Opportunities. It’s only a single instance, and not of major impact, but I am going to address it anyway.
To address Opportunities, select any alert row and it will show:
- a detailed description of the issue
- a list of specific assets involved
- Detailed guidance on how to fix the problem.
I have nineteen Passed Audits (sweet!). Audits provide a detailed look at every aspect of your site’s performance capacity.
Even Passed Audits have explanations and fixes for each item listed. Again, this info is accessed through the corresponding row’s arrow dropdown.
Lastly, I have three Diagnostics. These provide additional information about how your page adheres to best practices of web development.
To resolve any Diagnostics, click on the dropdown arrow to the right, under the header, and follow the instructions provided beneath How to Fix.
Once you’ve made all of your fixes, have Hummingbird run another performance test, so we can check score improvement.
We will now optimize our assets. Select Asset Optimization from the menu on the left side. Choose the Automatic option and ensure that the Speedy slider is turned ON.
This setting not only compresses your file, but also auto-combines smaller files together, which helps decrease the number of requests made when a page is loaded.
Please note that when using Automatic mode, Hummingbird will automatically detect and optimize any newly added plugin or theme files. However, it will not delete any outdated files from a previously removed plugin or theme.
This is to avoid conflicts and issues, and why it’s recommended to re-check files on occasion ― so everything remains in sync.
Ok, time for some speed testing.
Awesome scores! There’s another tool we can use… let’s turn on the CDN in Hummingbird.
On the Asset Optimization page, slide the WPMU DEV CDN toggle to the ON position (it will change to the color blue).
Let’s run our speed tests again.
We could finish here and be perfectly happy campers. However, I’ll throw one more log on the fire, by tweaking a setting through my WPMU DEV hosting.
Turning on FastCGI through WPMU DEV’s hosting Hub.
Bustin that move deserves a new round of test scores!
I think we’ve earned a victory lap!! Before I get carried away with the checkered flag, I want to share an earnest thought on continued testing.
If we were to run speed tests randomly going forward, slight variances would be expected, as none of the elements are truly static.
Except in rare situations, you should not experience any noticeable decrease in page load speed, thanks to all the improvements we have implemented.
Making Slider Revolution(ary) Speed Gains
Slider Revolution offers visually appealing designs (of the high-end variety, not the cheap kind found in bubble gum machines). Their pricing is fair and varies based on the number of sites it will be utilized on.
If you want to make jaws drop and be remembered for powerful visuals, without giving up valuable page load speed, Slider Revolution – optimized with Smush & Hummingbird – can give you the best of both worlds.
Not only will it make an impression, but page load speeds will fly, giving your users a first-rate experience.
As previously stated, there are certain elements that you should consistently take into account in order to achieve and sustain the ideal speed for your website.
They are:
- Be more minimalistic in your theme design
(You can go fancy, just don’t overstuff content, taxing speeds.) - Delete plugins that are old or no longer being used
- Turn on caching for your browser, webpage, and RSS feed.
- Minify and Defer CSS & JavaScript
- Use a CDN
- Fix broken links
- Optimize your images
- Update your Hosting Plan
The final one can truly transform the entire experience.
Make sure your hosting provider has a good reputation, and is shown to be fast and reliable. (WPMU DEV hosting plans provide solid, fully dedicated WordPress site hosting.)
Quick note regarding CDN as it applies to our plugins: the settings for the image CDN are located in Smush Pro, while the web object settings are in Hummingbird Pro.
Now you can sit back and relax, while your website flies. Ah… that’s a good feeling.
This post was initially published in June 2021 and has been revised in December 2023 to ensure its correctness.
Slider Revolution is a popular WordPress plugin that allows users to create stunning, responsive sliders for their websites. However, as with any plugin, it can sometimes slow down your website’s performance if not optimized correctly. In this article, we will provide a guide to optimizing Slider Revolution performance in WordPress.
1. Keep Your Slides Simple
The first step to optimizing Slider Revolution performance is to keep your slides simple. Avoid using too many animations, layers, and high-resolution images. The more complex your slides are, the longer they will take to load. Stick to a few key elements that convey your message effectively.
2. Optimize Your Images
Images are often the biggest culprit when it comes to slow loading times. Before uploading images to your slider, make sure they are optimized for the web. Use image editing software to reduce the file size without compromising on quality. You can also use WordPress plugins like Smush or EWWW Image Optimizer to automatically optimize images as you upload them.
3. Use Lazy Loading
Lazy loading is a technique that loads images only when they are needed, rather than all at once. This can significantly improve your website’s performance. Slider Revolution has a built-in lazy loading feature that you can enable in the plugin settings.
4. Limit the Number of Slides
Having too many slides in your slider can also slow down your website. Limit the number of slides to only what is necessary. If you have a lot of content to showcase, consider using multiple sliders on different pages instead of one large slider.
5. Enable Caching
Caching is a technique that stores a copy of your website’s files on the user’s device so that they don’t have to be loaded from scratch every time they visit your site. This can greatly improve loading times. You can enable caching in Slider Revolution’s settings or use a WordPress caching plugin like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache.
6. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A CDN is a network of servers located around the world that deliver content to users based on their geographic location. This can significantly reduce loading times for users who are far away from your server. Slider Revolution has a built-in CDN feature that you can enable in the plugin settings.
7. Keep Your Plugin Updated
Finally, make sure you keep Slider Revolution and all other plugins and themes on your website updated to the latest version. Updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can help optimize your website’s performance.
In conclusion, optimizing Slider Revolution performance in WordPress requires a combination of keeping your slides simple, optimizing images, using lazy loading, limiting the number of slides, enabling caching, using a CDN, and keeping your plugin updated. By following these steps, you can ensure that your sliders load quickly and smoothly, providing a better user experience for your visitors.
Recent Comments