What is WordPress Website Caching and How Does it Work?
If you manage a WordPress website, you’re probably always looking for ways to improve its performance.
One way to do that is by caching your pages and posts. But what exactly is caching, and how does it work? In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about WordPress website caching. By the end, you’ll be able to tell whether or not your site would benefit from caching, and how to set it up if it does. So let’s get started!
How Does Caching Work in WordPress?
When someone visits a WordPress website, PHP and MySQL are used to generate the pages on-the-fly i.e., resources are fetched from the WordPress database each time a user visits or reloads a webpage. To do this, WordPress has to perform numerous processes every time someone visits or reloads one of your site’s pages including:
A good website caching plugin stores a static HTML version of each one of your pages or posts and delivers that cached version to users instead of retrieving resources from the database each time a page is loaded. That way, subsequent page loads are much faster because they don’t require all those processes to be carried out each time. Static HTML files load much faster than dynamically generated pages because they don’t need to run PHP code or query MySQL databases.
Types of Website Caching in WordPress
Page Caching
Page caching is the most common type of webiste caching used for WordPress websites. It involves storing a static version of each page on your site so that it can be quickly retrieved when a user visits that page. Page caching can help improve the loading speed of your website by reducing the amount of data that needs to be retrieved from the server each time a page is loaded.
Object Caching
Object caching is a type of website caching that stores frequently accessed objects in memory so that they can be quickly retrieved when needed. Object-cached data includes things like images, files, and database queries. Object caching can help improve the loading speed of your website by reducing the amount of data that needs to be retrieved from the server each time an object is accessed.
Database Caching
Database caching is a type of website caching that stores frequently accessed database queries in memory so that they can be quickly retrieved when needed. Database caching can help improve the loading speed of your website by reducing the amount of data that needs to be retrieved from the server each time a database query is made.
Memcached
Memcached is a type of object website caching that stores frequently accessed objects in memory so that they can be quickly retrieved when needed. Memcached can help improve the loading speed of your website by reducing the amount of data that needs to be retrieved from the server each time an object is accessed.
Disadvantages of Website Caching
Caching can be a great way to speed up your WordPress website, but it’s not without its drawbacks. Let’s take a look at some of the potential disadvantages of using caching on your WordPress website.
Increased Server Load
One of the potential disadvantages of website caching is that it can increase the load on your server. This is because cached pages are stored as static HTML files which take up more space than dynamic pages. If you have a lot of traffic to your website, this can lead to your server becoming overloaded and your website going down.
Potential for Stale Data
Another potential disadvantage of website caching is that it can result in stale data being served to your users. This is because cached pages are static HTML files that are not updated until the cache is cleared. So, if you make changes to your website, your users will not see those changes until the cache is cleared. This can be a problem if you need to make urgent changes to your website.
Not Suitable for All Sites
Caching is not suitable for all types of websites. For example, if you have a website that is updated frequently, website caching may not be the best option for you. This is because cached pages are static HTML files that are not updated until the cache is cleared. So, if you need to make changes to your website on a regular basis, caching may not be the best option for you.
How to Clear the Website Cache in WordPress
If you need to clear the cache in WordPress, there are a few different ways you can do it. One way is to use a plugin like LiteSpeed Cache, WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache. These plugins will allow you to clear the cache from your WordPress dashboard.
Another way to clear the cache in WordPress is to use a website caching tool like Cloudflare or KeyCDN. These tools will allow you to clear the cache from your WordPress account.
You can also clear the cache by deleting the cache files from your server. This can be done using an FTP client or a file manager plugin like Filezilla.
Once you have deleted the cache files from your server, they will be automatically regenerated the next time someone visits your website.
Final Words
Caching is an important component of any high-trafficked website because it speeds up page load times by delivering static HTML files instead of dynamically generated pages. Caching plugins store data in memory so that it can be accessed faster and reduce strain on your server resources. If you have a high-trafficked website, then implementing caching can greatly improve your website’s performance and speed.
There are many different caching plugins available for WordPress, so be sure to choose one that meets your specific needs.
While caching can speed up your website, it’s important to note that it can also lead to increased server load and stale data being served to your users. Caching is not suitable for all types of websites, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons before you implement it on your website.
If you’re interested in how we can help improve your website’s loading performance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. As WordPress experts, we are more than happy to assist with any questions or concerns that you may have.
