Page load speed directly affects how many visitors stay on your site and how high Google ranks it. A large part of speed is decided already when you choose your web hosting. Let us go through the technical factors that make hosting fast.
In short
- Server software and disk type affect speed the most.
- Caching speeds up repeated page loads significantly.
- An up to date PHP version improves performance.
- A server located in Finland is fast for Finnish visitors.
Which factors decide speed
Hosting speed is made up of several parts. The factors below affect how quickly the server delivers pages to the visitor.
Server software and disks
The server software decides how efficiently pages are delivered. LiteSpeed and OpenLiteSpeed are fast especially with WordPress. The disk type affects how quickly files and the database are read. NVMe SSD disks are clearly faster than traditional hard drives. At Nordweb every plan has OpenLiteSpeed and NVMe disks.
Caching
Caching stores ready processed pages so they do not have to be built again on every load. This speeds up repeat visits in particular. Nordweb plans include LiteSpeed Cache, and larger plans also add Redis caching for database queries.
PHP version and server location
An up to date PHP version runs code faster than older versions, so make sure the hosting supports the latest PHP 8 version. The physical location of the server affects latency. The closer the server is to visitors, the faster the page loads. A server in Finland serves Finnish visitors fastest.
Read also How to choose web hosting
Fast web hosting from Nordweb
OpenLiteSpeed, NVMe disks, LiteSpeed Cache and servers in Finland on every plan.
See web hostingFrequently asked questions
Why is site speed important?
A fast site keeps visitors on the page and improves search visibility. A slow site drives visitors away.
Does web hosting affect site speed?
Yes, significantly. Server software, disks and caching decide a large part of the speed.
What is the best way to speed up WordPress?
A fast server and caching are the foundation. On top of that optimize images and trim unnecessary plugins.