← Back to Solutions

Performance & Load Time Optimization

Page speed optimization, Core Web Vitals, image optimization, and lazy loading. Faster stores convert better and rank higher.

The Problem

Slow page load times kill conversions and hurt SEO. Common issues:

  • Poor Core Web Vitals scores
  • Large unoptimized images
  • Too many JavaScript files blocking render
  • Third-party scripts slowing down pages
  • Unoptimized Liquid code causing delays

Every second of delay costs you customers and revenue.

Core Web Vitals: What They Mean

Google's Core Web Vitals measure real user experience. Three key metrics:

LCP (Largest Contentful Paint)

Target: Under 2.5 seconds. Measures how fast the main content loads.

Fix: Optimize images, use CDN, reduce server response time, eliminate render-blocking resources.

FID (First Input Delay)

Target: Under 100 milliseconds. Measures interactivity.

Fix: Reduce JavaScript execution time, break up long tasks, use code splitting.

CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift)

Target: Under 0.1. Measures visual stability.

Fix: Set size attributes on images/videos, reserve space for ads/embeds, avoid inserting content above existing content.

Check your scores: Use Google PageSpeed Insights, Chrome DevTools, or Shopify's built-in performance reports.

Image Optimization Checklist

Before Upload

  • Compress images (aim for 70-80% quality)
  • Convert to WebP format when possible
  • Resize to actual display dimensions (don't rely on CSS scaling)
  • Remove EXIF data and metadata

In Shopify

  • Use Shopify's automatic image optimization
  • Enable lazy loading in theme settings
  • Use responsive images with srcset
  • Set explicit width/height attributes to prevent layout shift

Tools

  • Squoosh.app for compression
  • ImageOptim or TinyPNG for batch processing
  • Shopify's built-in image CDN

JavaScript Optimization

Defer Non-Critical Scripts

Move analytics, chat widgets, and other non-essential scripts to load after page render.

How:

  • Add defer or async attributes
  • Load scripts via JavaScript after page load
  • Use Shopify's script tag API with proper loading strategy

Minify and Bundle

Reduce file sizes and HTTP requests by combining and minifying JavaScript files.

Tools:

  • Shopify's built-in minification (enable in theme settings)
  • Webpack or Vite for custom bundling
  • Remove unused code and dependencies

Prevention Checklist

  • ☐Regular Core Web Vitals monitoring
  • ☐Image optimization before upload
  • ☐Defer non-critical JavaScript
  • ☐Implement lazy loading for images
  • ☐Minify CSS and JavaScript files
  • ☐Audit third-party scripts regularly

Performance Audit Process

Run this audit monthly to catch performance regressions:

  1. 1.Run Google PageSpeed Insights on homepage and key product pages
  2. 2.Check Core Web Vitals in Google Search Console
  3. 3.Use Chrome DevTools Network tab to identify slow resources
  4. 4.Review Shopify's performance reports in admin
  5. 5.Test on real mobile devices (not just desktop emulation)
  6. 6.Document baseline scores and track improvements

Quick Wins

Optimize images (Biggest Impact)

Use WebP format, compress images before upload, and set proper dimensions. This alone can cut load time in half and improve LCP significantly.

Enable lazy loading

Lazy load images and sections below the fold. Users won't wait for content they can't see. Reduces initial page weight.

Defer third-party scripts

Load analytics, chat widgets, and tracking scripts asynchronously. Don't let them block your page render. Improves FID.

Set image dimensions

Always set width and height attributes on images. Prevents layout shift and improves CLS score dramatically.

Last updated: January 31, 2026

Need help? Book a call