We need help improving page speed for our WordPress multisite instance with 20 subsidiary sites. We are open to quotes for improving the speed on a single site (meddkit.com), but prefer to work in a manner such that our entire portfolio of sites is ‘sped up’.
We are interested in having our Google Pagespeed Insights improved to 90+. We have the latest software and already use fast hosting (Kinsta), enable minification, and multiple levels of caching. The big offenders are available in the included report from Google Pagespeed. They are:
– Reduce initial server response time (1094ms)
– Eliminate render-blocking resources (2560ms)
– Enable text compression (209 KiB)
– Reduce unused CSS (125 KiB)
We are open to rebuilding pages or utilizing different themes/frameworks. We need to understand the total effort and costs in doing this, if so. We are interested in ‘future proofing’ ourselves as much as possible from this issue occurring again.
The first site that we are trying to speed up is meddkit.com. More details about our server architecture can be provided as needed.
REQUIREMENTS
1) No additional plugins
The first requirement we have is that we cannot install additional plugins. We already cache, combine, and minify files. Plugins often add bloat and are not maintained. We would need strong rationale for installing a new plugin in our network. I have attached the list of plugins that we use, as well as our server’s details.
2) Make changes in staging environment
Please test your changes in our staging environment so that we do not disturb production data. Staging access will be provided once we start.
3) Document changes
Please document the changes that you make so that we can reintroduce them in our production environment. We would like to understand what was done in a clear and concise manner.
PLUGINS
Name
Description
Admin Menu Editor
Network Deactivate
Lets you directly edit the WordPress admin menu. You can re-order, hide or rename existing menus, add custom menus and more.
Version 1.9.10 | By Janis Elsts | View details | Documentation
Branda Pro
Settings | Docs | Network Deactivate
A complete white label and branding solution for multisite. Login images, favicons, remove WordPress links and branding, and much more.
Version 3.4.5 | By WPMU DEV | View Details | Premium Support | Roadmap
Category Posts Widget
Network Deactivate
Adds a widget that shows the most recent posts from a single category.
Version 4.9.11 | By TipTopPress | View details
Child Theme Configurator
Network Deactivate
When using the Customizer is not enough – Create child themes and customize styles, templates, functions and more.
Version 2.5.8 | By Lilaea Media | View details
Defender Pro
Settings | Docs | Network Deactivate
Get regular security scans, vulnerability reports, safety recommendations and customized hardening for your site in just a few clicks. Defender is the analyst and enforcer who never sleeps.
Version 2.5.3 | By WPMU DEV | View details | Premium Support | Roadmap
Google Tag Manager for WordPress
Network Deactivate
The first Google Tag Manager plugin for WordPress with business goals in mind
Version 1.13.1 | By Thomas Geiger | View details
Gravity Forms
Network Deactivate
Easily create web forms and manage form entries within the WordPress admin.
Version 2.5.6 | By Gravity Forms | View details
Gravity Forms Partial Entries Add-On
Network Deactivate
Adds support for partial submissions.
Version 1.6 | By Gravity Forms | View details
Gravity Forms Signature Add-On
Network Deactivate
Creates a Gravity Forms signature field that allows users to sign online using a mouse or stylus.
Version 4.0 | By Gravity Forms | View details
Hustle Pro
Settings | Docs | Network Deactivate
Start collecting email addresses and quickly grow your mailing list with big bold pop-ups, slide-ins, widgets, or in post opt-in forms.
Version 4.4.4 | By WPMU DEV | Visit plugin site | Premium Support | Roadmap
SmartCrawl Pro
Network Deactivate
Every SEO option that a site requires, in one easy bundle.
Version 2.10.2 | By WPMU DEV | View Details | Support | Roadmap
Smush Pro
Settings | Docs | Network Deactivate
Reduce image file sizes, improve performance and boost your SEO using the WPMU DEV WordPress Smush API.
Version 3.8.7 | By WPMU DEV | View details | Premium Support | Roadmap
User Role Editor Pro
Network Deactivate
Change/add/delete WordPress user roles and capabilities.
Version 4.59.4 | By Vladimir Garagulia | Visit plugin site | Changelog | Check for updates
WP Mail SMTP
Network Deactivate
Reconfigures the wp_mail() function to use Gmail/Mailgun/SendGrid/SMTP instead of the default mail() and creates an options page to manage the settings.
Version 2.9.0 | By WPForms | View details
WPMU DEV Videos
Settings | Docs | Network Deactivate
A simple way to integrate WPMU DEV’s over 40 unbranded support videos into your websites.
Version 1.8.7 | By WPMU DEV | View Details | Premium Support | Roadmap
