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This Tutorial covers the steps of how to enable GZIP compression for WordPress sites, to help your WordPress site load faster without changing its design or content. GZIP compression is one simple and effective solution, its a technique that compresses the files on your website, making them smaller and faster to load for visitors.
When you enable GZIP compression, your WordPress website benefits, because it reduces the size of files like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which helps your pages load quickly. Faster load times mean a better user experience, as no one enjoys a slow website. Search engines reward faster sites with higher rankings, too, so GZIP compression can improve your SEO.
This tutorial explains GZIP compression, why it matters, and how to enable it on your WordPress site. Let’s dive in and give your website the speed boost it deserves.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- When you enable GZIP compression WordPress support, your site becomes faster by shrinking file sizes.
- Faster websites provide a better experience for visitors and improve SEO rankings.
- Most modern web browsers and servers support GZIP, and enabling it is straightforward.
- You can use WordPress plugins like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or Autoptimize to enable GZIP quickly.
- If you prefer server-side control, you can activate GZIP through your server settings or configuration files, such as .htaccess for Apache or nginx.conf for Nginx.
- Always check whether GZIP is working by using online or browser developer tools to verify compression status.
- Enabling GZIP improves speed and reduces bandwidth usage, making your site more efficient.
- Regularly monitor your site’s performance to ensure GZIP is active and your website stays optimized.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Understanding Data Compression on the Web
The internet is full of data. Every time you visit a website, your browser downloads files like text, images, stylesheets, scripts, and fonts to display the page. These files can be large, and large files take time to load, making websites slow down. This is where data compression comes in.
Data compression is a way to make these files smaller, so they travel faster from the website’s server to your browser. Think of it like packing a suitcase: by rolling your clothes tightly, you can fit more into a smaller space. Similarly, compression reduces the size of files without changing their content, making them quicker to load and easier to send over the internet.
Websites are made up of different types of data:
- Text files like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript build the site’s structure, style, and functionality.
- Images make the site visually appealing.
- Stylesheets and scripts define how the site looks and behaves.
- Fonts help with unique designs.
Each data type needs a specific compression method to decrease file size. For example, minifying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript effectively decreases data transferred between browsers. During minification, extra characters are removed, like comments and spaces that aren’t necessary for the code to function.
In the example below of a basic HTML document, you’ll find 3 types of content: HTML structure, CSS styling, and JavaScript scripting. Each type of content follows its own specific rules and syntax. Altogether, this HTML document contains 417 characters.
<html>
<head>
<title>Example</title>
/*css code starts*/
<style>
/* Banner Styles */
.banner { font-size: 150%; width: 100%; }
</style>
/*css code ends*/
</head>
<body>
/* show welcome banner */
<div class="banner">Welcome to My Website</div>
/* Javascript code starts */
<script>
console.log("Banner loaded");
</script>
/* Javascript code ends*/
</body>
</html>The code above is straightforward and easily understandable, so it’s great for development. However, browsers don’t need comments or perfectly formatted tags to display the content. A good compression tool can process the code and eliminate all the extra elements that aren’t essential. Here’s how it is after minification:
<html><head><title>Example</title><style>.banner{font-size:150%;width:100%;}</style></head><body><div class="banner">Welcome to My Website</div><script>console.log("Banner loaded");</script></body></html>Minification removes unnecessary spaces, line breaks, and comments, reducing the file size to 204 characters while keeping the same functionality. This is a 51.08% reduction. This makes no difference for browsers: they still render the page the same. But smaller files on your site mean faster loading and a better user experience.
However, advanced data compression techniques reduce the data size further. For instance, GZIP or Brotli can enable text compression for text-based files (like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript). These methods reduce the file size significantly without affecting how the site works.
Images can be compressed using tools like TinyPNG or built-in WordPress plugins that reduce their size while keeping them clear. Videos and audio files also have special compression techniques to save space and load faster.
By focusing on compressing text-based files with GZIP, you can achieve the biggest impact on your website’s speed. These files are loaded every time someone visits your site, so diminishing them saves time for your visitors and improves overall performance.
In the next section, we delve deeper into GZIP compression, how it works, and why it’s an essential tool for making your site faster. Let’s keep going.
What is GZIP Compression?
WordPress GZIP compression is a simple and powerful lossless data compression method on the web that makes websites load faster. It works by shrinking text files like HTML pages, XML files, stylesheets, and scripts before they move from your website’s server to a visitor’s browser. Smaller files mean faster loading times, which is great for your visitors and your site’s performance.
GZIP, which stands for GNU Zip, was first introduced in 1992 to compress files. It uses the DEFLATE algorithm, which combines two other algorithms:
- LEMPEL-ZIV-77 (LZ77) Encoding: It removes repeated data (like repeated words or code snippets).
- Huffman Coding: It replaces long bits of data with shorter ones.
We’ll explain it so you understand, using an illustration:
Now, you may wonder how this entire process impacts the file size. Let’s understand it with a rough example, shown below.
As you can see, the size was reduced by 80.55%. Here, the first step in GZIP compression involves the LZ77 algorithm, which identifies repeated patterns in data and replaces them with compact tuples. This process uses a sliding window, a small raw data section, to find and encode redundancies. Here’s a step-by-step example of LZ77 implementation:
In the above example, the sliding window was only 13 characters (13 bytes) long, while GZIP can handle windows as large as 32 KB (32,768 bytes). The larger the sliding window, the better the algorithm performs, as it can capture more repetitions over a larger data span.
After compressing the data with LZ77, GZIP further reduces its size using the Huffman coding algorithm. This algorithm assigns shorter binary codes to characters that appear more frequently and longer codes to rarer characters, the same way Morse code works.
Let’s take the same string cabracadabrarrarrad as an example. Initially, it requires 152 bits of memory (19 characters, each using 8 bits). The Huffman coding algorithm analyzes each character’s frequency; some letters appear twice (c, b, d), while others, like a, appear more often.
A Huffman tree is constructed, where frequently used characters are closer to the top with shorter binary codes. Once the Huffman tree is created, assign a 0 to each left-branching arrow and a 1 to each right-branching arrow. To determine the Huffman code for a character, follow the path from the root to the leaf corresponding to that character, combining all the 0s and 1s along the way.
Here’s how the Huffman looks now for each character if you use 8-bit ASCII:
The result is a compressed version of cabracadabrarrarrad string, requiring only 41 bits, a 73.03% reduction in size. If you apply alternative ordering methods for characters sharing identical frequencies, the Huffman coding algorithm can produce different binary codes. Despite this variation, the overall size of the encoded string remains unchanged.
Following the 0/1 convention, the Huffman tree creates binary codes that adhere to the prefix property. This means that no character’s Huffman code is a prefix of another, simplifying decoding an encoded string using the Huffman tree. This feature is key to the fast decompression speeds achieved by GZIP.
Like the example above, the GZIP compressor uses the Huffman coding algorithm to refine the tuples produced by the LZ77 algorithm. This combination allows GZIP to create highly compressed files with a .gz extension.
Now you know what GZIP data compression is and how to compress components with GZIP WordPress technique to reduce the file size. Let’s learn how you can enable GZIP compression WordPress website.
How to Enable GZIP Compression WordPress?
There are 2 methods to enable GZIP compression WordPress technique:
- Use a WordPress plugin
- Edit configuration file.
Remember: the configuration file depends on what server you’re using to host your website. For example, if you’re using an Apache server or an alternative like LiteSpeed, you’ll edit the .htaccess configuration file. However, if you’re using Nginx, you’ll edit its nginx.conf file. If you don’t know where to find it, we suggest you contact your hosting provider for assistance.
This tutorial explains which plugin to use and how to edit the .htaccess file to enable GZIP compression WordPress website. Before we continue, ensure you create a backup of your website.
Use WordPress Plugin
One of the most straightforward ways to enable GZIP compression on your WordPress site is using plugins. WordPress plugins simplify setting up GZIP without needing technical skills. They handle the complex server-side configurations, so you can concentrate on running your website.
Multiple popular plugins can help you enable GZIP compression WordPress technique with just a few clicks. Here are some reliable options:
- WP Rocket: A powerful caching plugin that includes GZIP compression in its optimization tools.
- W3 Total Cache: A free plugin with many features, including GZIP compression.
- Hummingbird: A performance optimization plugin with a built-in GZIP compression feature.
In this example, we use W3 Total Cache for this section. Here’s how you can enable GZIP compression WordPress using this plugin:
First, go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins → Add New Plugin. Search for the plugin you want to use (e.g., W3 Total Cache). Click Install and then Activate once it’s ready.
After activating the plugin, go to Performance in the left-hand menu. Then, click Browser Cache from the dropdown menu. Then, check the Enable HTTP (gzip) compression option to enable GZIP WordPress data compression. You need to enable this option under the following sections:
- General
- CSS & JS
- HTML & XML
- Media & Other Files.
Then, click the dropdown next to Save Settings in the top-right and choose Save Settings & Purge Caches. That’s it! You’ve enabled GZIP data compression for your website.
After enabling GZIP, monitor your site’s speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or other online tools (we’ll discuss these in the coming sections). You should notice an improvement in loading times.
Enable GZIP Compression WordPress via .htaccess File
Another way to activate GZIP compression for your website is by using the .htaccess file. Your Apache server uses the configuration file to manage important settings for your website, including caching, compression, and redirects. When you add a few lines of code to this file, you can enable GZIP compression WordPress technique and make your site faster
Here’s how you can do it using the Hosted.com cPanel:
Login to your cPanel. Go to Files → File Manager. Then, head over to the public_html directory, the root folder of your website. Look for a file named .htaccess. If you don’t see it, ensure hidden files are visible.
Before making any changes, create a backup of this file in case something goes wrong. To back it up, download the file to your computer.
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Then, right-click on your .htaccess file and click Edit to open it using a text editor in your hosting panel (you can also download it to edit locally).
Then, add the following GZIP rules at the bottom of the file:
<IfModule mod_deflate.c>
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/html text/plain text/xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/css
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/javascript
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/x-javascript
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/xhtml+xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/rss+xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/atom+xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE image/svg+xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/font-woff
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/font-woff2
</IfModule>Save the changes to the file (or upload it back to your web server if you edited it locally).
You Enabled GZIP Successfully, But Not Showing up When Testing
The issue arises because Brotli compression may be enabled and prioritized at the server level, independently of the .htaccess configuration. Here’s why this happens:
- Server-Level Brotli Configuration: Many web servers (like Apache or NGINX) have Brotli enabled by default in their global configuration. If Brotli is prioritized over DEFLATE in the server’s configuration, it will take precedence, regardless of the .htaccess settings.
- Brotli Module Loaded in Apache: If the mod_brotli module is loaded on your Apache server, it may automatically compress files using Brotli for supported clients, even if you specify mod_deflate in the .htaccess file.
- Browser Support for Brotli: Modern browsers prefer Brotli compression over GZIP/DEFLATE when both are available, as Brotli typically offers better compression ratios. If the server advertises Brotli in the Content-Encoding header, the browser will choose Brotli.
So, how can you enable GZIP compression WordPress technique instead of Brotli? To ensure Gzip/DEFLATE is used, try the following:
- If you can access your server configuration, you can disable Brotli by commenting or removing the Brotli module.
- Or you can adjust .htaccess to exclude Brotli.
- Ensure that DEFLATE is prioritized over Brotli in the server’s configuration file by adjusting the order of directives.
- If you cannot access the server configuration, contact your hosting provider to ensure Brotli is disabled or to set the desired priority.
Once you’ve successfully applied your required compression technique, it’s time to check if it is enabled.
Check if GZIP Compression is Enabled
The HTTP header Accept-Encoding: gzip, deflate is widely supported by nearly all modern browsers. As a result, most web hosting providers enable GZIP compression WordPress support (or Brotli compression) by default across their servers.
When a browser sends this header, the web server identifies that the browser can handle GZIP compression and delivers a compressed HTTP response with the Content-Encoding: gzip header.
As we mentioned, many web hosting providers enable GZIP compression WordPress (or its alternative, Brotli) by default, but it’s still important to confirm whether it’s active on your site. It’s necessary particularly when you’ve switched to a new host or server. Knowing that GZIP works ensures your WordPress website is optimized for speed and delivers a better user experience.
To verify GZIP compression is working, you can:
- Use Online Tools
- Use Developer Tools
- Use Website Speed Testing Tools.
Let’s go through each of the given approaches:
Use Online Tools
You’ll find several online GZIP compression test tools, such as GZIP Compression Test and HTTP Compression Test. Visit one of these websites. Enter your website’s URL in the provided box. Run the test and review the report.
These tools typically show whether GZIP is enabled, how much data your site saves using compression, and other details such as server type, content type, and compression time.
Check HTTP Response Headers
Another way to confirm GZIP is working is by inspecting your HTTP response headers. Look for the Content-Encoding: gzip header in the response. To do this, you can use browser developer tools. Here’s how to do it using the Chrome browser:
Right-click on your website and select Inspect. Go to Network. Refresh the page and click the main request (your website’s URL) under the Name column. Then, find Content-Encoding: gzip under Headers .
Remember, if your website uses Brotli, it will show Content-Encoding: br header. For example, we at Hosted.com support gzip, deflate, br, and zstd compression algorithms.
However, we prefer Brotli for content encoding, as it’s widely used by modern browsers:
Use Website Speed Testing Tools
Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can analyze your site and confirm if GZIP compression is active. They also provide valuable insights into how compression affects your site’s speed and performance. Here’s how you can check:
Go to the Google PageSpeed Insights website. Enter your URL and run the analysis. Once it’s done, look for Enable text compression. If GZIP or Brotli compression is not enabled or is not working correctly, you will see a warning. This means that some resources could benefit from compression, and you need to enable or optimize GZIP or Brotli.
If there’s no mention of enabling text compression, it usually means your server is already effectively using GZIP or Brotli compression. See the following screenshot as an example:
Alternatives to GZIP Compression
While GZIP compression is a popular way to speed up websites, you will find several options. One of the most notable alternatives is Brotli compression, which has been gaining attention for its efficiency and performance. Understanding the differences between GZIP and Brotli can help you decide which method is best for your website.
Brotli is a modern compression algorithm developed by Google. Like GZIP, it reduces the size of your website’s files, making them quicker to download. However, Brotli uses more advanced techniques to achieve higher compression rates, especially for text-based files like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This means Brotli often makes files smaller than GZIP, leading to faster load times.
GZIP vs Brotli: Performance & Browser Support
When comparing GZIP and Brotli, both have their strengths:
Brotli usually compresses files better than GZIP, especially for static content that doesn’t change often. This can lead to significant data savings, which helps improve website speed.
Most modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, support GZIP and Brotli. However, Brotli is slightly newer, so older browsers may not recognize it. For maximum compatibility, many servers use GZIP as a fallback if Brotli isn’t supported.
Choose the Right Compression Method
When deciding between GZIP and Brotli, consider these factors:
- Server Environment: Brotli is better suited for static content and works efficiently with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). However, enabling Brotli may require additional server configuration, depending on your hosting provider.
- Audience: If your audience primarily uses modern browsers, Brotli is an excellent choice. However, if you want to ensure compatibility with older browsers, GZIP would be safer.
- File Type: Brotli performs better for text files, while the difference between Brotli and GZIP for other types of files (like images) is less noticeable.
So, both GZIP and Brotli are effective compression methods that can make your website faster and more efficient. Brotli offers better compression in most cases, but GZIP remains a reliable choice with broader compatibility. Consider your server setup and audience needs to choose the best option. For many websites, enabling Brotli with a GZIP fallback is the perfect balance of performance and compatibility.
Best Practices for Optimizing WordPress Site Speed (Beyond GZIP)
Making your WordPress site fast isn’t just about enabling GZIP compression. You can also take other steps to improve your website’s speed and ensure a smooth experience for your visitors. Let’s explore some of the best practices.
Minify CSS & JavaScript Files
Your WordPress site uses CSS files to style the pages and JavaScript files to add interactive features. These files often contain extra spaces, comments, and unnecessary characters that can slow down your site. When you diminish them, you remove these extras, making the files smaller and faster to load.
Plugins like Autoptimize or WP Rocket can handle this for you automatically. They simplify the process, ensuring your code stays clean and optimized without requiring manual effort.
Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a system of servers spread across the globe. When a user visits your site, the content delivery network delivers content from the server closest to them, which reduces loading time.
For example, if your website is hosted in the U.S. but a visitor is in Europe, the CDN serves files from a nearby European server. Popular CDN services like Cloudflare integrate easily with WordPress and are great to speed up global access to your site.
Optimize Images
Images play a huge role in making your site appealing, but large images can slow it down. Optimizing your images ensures they load quickly without losing quality.
Use tools like TinyPNG or plugins like Smush to compress your images. These tools reduce file sizes while keeping the images sharp and clear. Additionally, using the WebP format can reduce image sizes further compared to traditional formats like JPEG and PNG.
Choose a Lightweight Theme
Your WordPress theme impacts how fast your site loads. Heavy themes with lots of features and animations can slow things down. Instead, pick a lightweight theme that focuses on speed and performance. Popular options like Astra, GeneratePress, or Neve are designed to be fast and customizable. They let you create a beautiful site without sacrificing speed.
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FAQS
Do expires headers work on all hosting providers?
Expires headers typically work on most hosting providers that support Apache or Nginx servers. However, if you’re using shared hosting or a managed WordPress host, you may need to check with your hosting provider to confirm if server-level changes, like editing .htaccess or Nginx files, are allowed.
If I add the expires headers WordPress feature, will it impact SEO?
Yes, adding expires headers in WordPress can positively impact SEO. Search engines prioritize fast-loading websites, and the expires headers help achieve that by enabling browser caching. Faster websites lead to lower bounce rates, better user engagement, and enhanced rankings in search results.
What happens if I set expires headers incorrectly?
If expires headers are not configured correctly, your site may show outdated files to visitors or fail to load properly. For example, setting very long expiration times for frequently changing files can cause issues. Always test your site after adding the expires headers to ensure everything works smoothly.
Is adding expires headers enough to optimize my website?
While expires headers greatly improve load times, they’re just one part of website optimization. Combine them with other techniques like Gzip compression, image optimization, and using a content delivery network (CDN) to maximize your site’s speed and performance.
Can expires headers cause issues with dynamic content?
Dynamic content, such as user-specific data or frequently updated pages, shouldn’t be cached for long periods. Set shorter expiration periods or exclude these files from caching entirely. This ensures visitors always see the most updated content.
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- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Rhett isn’t just a writer at Hosted.com – he’s our resident WordPress content guru. With over 6 years of experience as a content writer, with a background in copywriting, journalism, research, and SEO, and a passion for websites.
Rhett authors informative blogs, articles, and Knowledgebase guides that simplify the complexities of WordPress, website builders, domains, and cPanel hosting. Rhett’s clear explanations and practical tips provide valuable resources for anyone wanting to own and build a website. Just don’t ask him about coding before he’s had coffee.