WordPress Performance Audit Checklist: Best Practices

Community consensus emphasizes that performance optimization requires a holistic approach covering database cleanup, image compression, and caching.

Based on 7 community reports.

Linked sources: 7.

Known Issues

• Plugin bloat causing site slowdowns
• Unoptimized high-resolution product images
• Database bloat from post revisions and transients

Community Q&A

How can I improve my WordPress site speed?

Focus on image optimization, implementing object and page caching, cleaning up your database, and using a CDN for asset delivery.

Does plugin bloat affect WordPress performance?

Yes, excessive plugins can increase server load and TTFB; use modular plugins or remove unnecessary ones to maintain site speed.

What is the best way to handle WordPress images?

Use modern formats like WebP or AVIF, implement lazy loading, and ensure images are properly sized for the display container.

How do I clean up a WordPress database?

Regularly remove orphaned tables, post revisions, and expired transients to reduce database size and improve query performance.

Reddit Sources

• A checklist I use before launching any new WordPress site (r/Wordpress)
• WordPress Speed Optimization: A Practical Checklist for Website owners (and Busy Devs) (r/Wordpress)
• Modern image optimization for WordPress in 2025 — practical setup, pitfalls, and what’s working for you? (r/Wordpress)
• 20-Point Checklist for WooCommerce: Speed, Security, and Sales Optimization (r/woocommerce)
• Built 100+ WordPress sites in 8 months. What should I be auditing in my own workflow? (r/Wordpress)
• The “boring” WordPress ops stack that stops 90% of downtime, hacks, and surprise bills (a practical playbook) (r/Wordpress)
• Checklist: The Hidden WordPress Performance Issues That Slow Sites After 100k Visitors (r/Wordpress)