Divi by Elegant Themes is an extremely popular WordPress theme, famous for its drag-and-drop page builder, all kinds of customization, and sheer versatility. One complaint that almost every Divi user makes is that it is slow. Many report slowness in loading, in contrast to a light theme like Astra or GeneratePress.
Why is Divi slow, and what you can do about it?
Let us go over the reasons behind Divi’s performance issues and
actionable solutions to optimize your website.
Although contribute to Divi’sslow loading of Divi, their nature, structure, and usage are said to be the greatest, so let’s visit through them:
Heavy Codebase
Divi comes with countless features backed by a robust codebase purportedly equipped to handle various functionalities out of the box. That, of course, has a price on it:
- It could get CSS and JavaScript files loaded on the lighter pages too.
The presence of multiple features can lead to bloated code, especially when unused modules and styles are included.
Divi Builder
The Divi Builder is known to slow down the performance:
- It creates inline CSS for every module, increasing the page’s weight.
- Each design modification piles up on the DOM, forcing the browser to work a bit more in rendering the page.
Dynamic Assets Loading
With Divi, CSS and JavaScript are loaded dynamically on a per-module basis on the page.
Though meant to reduce loading of unnecessary assets with module loading, the more modules-like many-on-one page-you have, the slower the page tends to load.
Non-Optimized Images
Third-Party Plugins
Certain plugins might be incompatible or using too many might hurt performance
Hosting Environment
The performance of Divi is majorly dependent on quality hosting.
How to Fix Divi Performance Issues
In case performance becomes an issue, you can always optimize Divi for better performance, which we will explain in-depth:
Optimize Divi’s Settings
When using Divi, there are various performance-related options available that help avoid bloat to some extent and improve speed.
Enable Static CSS File Generation
Static CSS file generation minimizes inline styles and glues them together into one CSS file, reducing the size of your HTML:
- Go to Divi > Theme Options > Builder > Advanced.
- Enable Static CSS File Generation.
Enable Performance Options
Divi’s performance settings allow you to optimize CSS and JavaScript delivery:
- Go to Divi > Theme Options > Performance.
- Enable options like:
- Dynamic CSS: Loads only the CSS required for the page.
- Critical CSS: Renders above-the-fold content faster.
- Deferred JavaScript: Delays non-essential JavaScript to prioritize faster loading.
Optimize Images
Large, uncompressed images are a common cause of slow websites. Use these techniques to optimize images:
Use Compression Tools
Tools like TinyPNG or plugins like Smush or ShortPixel can compress images without losing quality.
Use the Correct Image Formats
- Use WebP format for modern browsers; it’s significantly smaller than JPEG or PNG.
- Ensure all images are resized to fit the exact dimensions needed for your layout.
Lazy Load Images
Lazy loading ensures that only images visible on the screen are loaded initially:
- Divi includes a lazy-loading feature. Ensure it’s enabled in Divi > Theme Options > Performance.
Minimize Third-Party Plugin Use
Each plugin you add introduces its own scripts and styles, which can conflict with Divi or slow down your site. To minimize the impact:
- Audit your plugins and remove unnecessary ones.
- Use performance-focused plugins that integrate well with Divi, such as WP Rocket.
Optimize CSS and JavaScript
Minify Files
Minification removes unnecessary characters from CSS and JavaScript files, reducing file size. Many caching plugins, such as Autoptimize or WP Rocket, offer this feature.
Combine CSS and JavaScript
Reduce HTTP requests by combining files where possible. This can also be handled by performance plugins like WP Rocket.
Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A CDN stores copies of your website’s assets on multiple servers worldwide, ensuring faster delivery based on the visitor’s location. Popular CDNs include:
- Cloudflare
- BunnyCDN
- StackPath
Upgrade Your Hosting
Your hosting environment plays a significant role in performance. For Divi, it’s best to choose a managed WordPress hosting provider like:
- SiteGround
- WP Engine
- Kinsta
Look for hosting plans optimized for speed, with features like caching, SSD storage, and PHP 8.0 support.
Reduce HTTP Requests
Use Fewer Modules
- Simplify your page designs by reducing the number of Divi modules used.
- Avoid using modules that require external resources, like sliders or video backgrounds, unless necessary.
Preload Important Assets
Use the rel=”preload” attribute to prioritize critical assets.
Use a Caching Plugin
Caching plugins can dramatically improve loading times by storing static versions of your website. Recommended options:
- WP Rocket (paid but highly effective)
- W3 Total Cache (free alternative)
- LiteSpeed Cache (best for LiteSpeed servers) but inefficient as a whole caching solution.
Configure the plugin to enable browser caching, Gzip compression, and object caching.
Implement Database Optimization
Over time, your WordPress database accumulates overhead, which can slow down your site. Use plugins like WP-Optimize (caution amateurs can destroy their websites) to:
- Remove unnecessary revisions.
- Clean up spam comments.
- Optimize database tables.
Monitor Performance with Tools
Use tools like GTmetrix, Pingdom, or Google PageSpeed Insights to analyze your site’s performance. These tools provide actionable insights, such as:
- Identifying large files or scripts.
- Pinpointing slow-loading elements.
- Recommending specific fixes.
- Consider Lightweight Alternatives for Heavy Features
- Replace Divi’s native sliders with lightweight alternatives like Smart Slider 3.
- Use lightweight icons or SVG instead of Divi’s built-in icon fonts.
Divi Can Be Fast—If You Optimize It
While Divi may not be the fastest theme out of the box, its flexibility and feature set make it a worthwhile choice for many users. With proper optimization, you can significantly improve your site’s speed and deliver a seamless experience to visitors.
Invest time in implementing these strategies, and your Divi website will not only look amazing but also perform exceptionally well.