Divi by Elegant Themes is one of the most popular WordPress themes, celebrated for its drag-and-drop builder, extensive customization options, and versatility. However, a recurring concern among Divi users is its performance. Many report slower loading times compared to lightweight themes like Astra or GeneratePress.
Why is Divi slow; and
What can you do about it?
Let’s go through the reasons behind Divi’s performance issues and
actionable steps to optimize your site.
Several factors contribute to Divi’s perceived slowness, but the primary culprits are related to its structure and usage. Let’s examine these factors:
Heavy Codebase
Divi is feature-rich, with a robust codebase designed to handle a variety of functionalities out-of-the-box. This comes at a cost:
- Large CSS and JavaScript files are loaded even for simple pages.
- The abundance of features can lead to bloated code, especially when unused modules and styles are included.
Divi Builder
The Divi Builder, while powerful, can introduce performance issues:
- Inline CSS for each module increases page size.
- Every design tweak adds to the DOM size, making the browser work harder to render the page.
Dynamic Assets Loading
Divi dynamically loads CSS and JavaScript files for active modules on the page.
While this approach is intended to reduce unnecessary asset loading, it can lead to slower load times if many modules are used on a single page.
Non-Optimized Images
Divi users often upload images directly without optimization, which increases page size and load time.
Third-Party Plugins
Incompatibility with certain plugins or the use of too many plugins can exacerbate performance issues.
Hosting Environment
Divi’s performance heavily depends on the quality of your hosting. Shared hosting with limited resources may struggle to handle Divi’s requirements.
How to Fix Divi Performance Issues
Thankfully, there are several ways to optimize Divi for better performance. Let’s explore these in detail:
Optimize Divi’s Settings
Divi includes several built-in performance options that can help reduce bloat and improve speed.
Enable Static CSS File Generation
Static CSS file generation minimizes inline styles and consolidates them into a single 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.