how to enable gzip compression in WordPress

What is GZIP Compression?

GZIP compression is a method of compressing files for faster network transfers, promoting quicker load times for websites. Implementing GZIP in WordPress can significantly improve the efficiency of data transfer between the server and the end-users’ browsers, thus enhancing the overall website performance and user experience.

Why Enable GZIP Compression in WordPress?

Enabling GZIP compression in WordPress decreases the size of the transferred data by up to 70%, which can notably increase a page’s loading speed. This increased speed can lead to better SEO rankings as search engines prioritize fast-loading websites.

Check If Your WordPress Site Already Has GZIP Compression

Before you make changes, check if your WordPress site already has GZIP compression enabled. Tools like GTmetrix, Google PageSpeed Insights, or checking through your browser’s developer tools (Network tab) can help determine this.

Enabling GZIP Compression in WordPress

1. Via .htaccess File

For Apache servers, one of the most straightforward methods to enable GZIP compression is by modifying the .htaccess file. This file is located in your root directory. Before making changes, ensure you back up this file.

Steps:

1. Connect to your server using FTP or cPanel’s File Manager.

2. Find the .htaccess file in the root folder of your WordPress installation.

3. Edit the file by adding the following code at the bottom:

   
     AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/plain
     AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/html
     AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/xml
     AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/css
     AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/xml
     AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/xhtml+xml
     AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/rss+xml
     AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/javascript
     AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/x-javascript
   

4. Save changes and clear your site’s cache.

Testing your website after implementing this is crucial to ensure everything runs smoothly.

2. Using WordPress Plugins

If you are not comfortable editing system files directly, several plugins can help enable GZIP compression.

Popular plugins include:

• WP Rocket: This caching and performance optimization plugin automatically enables GZIP compression along with various other performance improvements.
• W3 Total Cache: Known for its extensive customization options, it also allows GZIP settings to be configured under its browser cache settings.
• WP Super Cache: A more user-friendly plugin that enables GZIP compression along with caching features.

To use a plugin, simply install it from the WordPress plugin repository and follow the setup instructions provided by the plugin. These typically include some form of enabling browser caching or directly toggling a GZIP compression option.

3. Via PHP

For sites running on servers where .htaccess is not available or applicable, like NGINX, you can enable GZIP compression directly through PHP. Add the following code at the top of your wp-config.php file:

if (substr_count($_SERVER['HTTP_ACCEPT_ENCODING'], 'gzip')) ob_start("ob_gzhandler");
else ob_start();

This PHP method manually checks if the browser supports GZIP and returns compressed content if possible.

Regularly Monitor Your Site’s Performance

After enabling GZIP compression, regularly test and monitor your website’s performance through tools like Pingdom, Google PageSpeed Insights, and GTmetrix. Always look for areas of improvement and ensure that your website maintains optimal loading times.

Conclusion

Optimizing your WordPress site by enabling GZIP compression is a technical yet significant step towards improving your site’s loading speed and enhancing user experience. Whether through modifying the .htaccess file, utilizing plugins, or implementing PHP code, this process can contribute to better SEO outcomes and overall website success. Remember to always back up your site and test its functionality post-implementation.