Javascript is one of the most popular programming languages in the world.
Proficiency in this programming language will let you build the website of your dreams. Developers use it to integrate interactive elements on web pages, create mobile apps, create games, and build web servers. However, people won’t use your creation if it can’t load fast or achieve high render speeds.
Now, how to optimize Javascript code? Here are some Javascript optimization tools and tips to help you get started.
Pay attention to how efficiently your page is rendering.
Examine the elements in the <head> section and ensure they can be pre-loaded. Otherwise, these elements can increase the duration viewers stare at a blank screen.
If you want a clear demonstration, here’s the difference between a page with optimized and unoptimized rendering:
HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is the more secure version of HTTP.
The main difference between the two is that HTTPS utilizes Transport Layer Security (TLS) to send and receive data. Hence, it can ensure the security and privacy of your website information.
Besides cybersecurity, HTTP/2 protocol has a lot of benefits to Javascript. HTTPS has better data compression capabilities and allows networks to parse data efficiently.
You can check out this HTTP vs. HTTPS Test to get a clearer comparison in terms of performance.
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) consists of a highly distributed network of servers scattered throughout the world. By decreasing the distance between the server and the user, visitors can experience faster loading and download times.
Comparing the best CDN providers can be a time-consuming endeavor for first-timers. Therefore, we highly recommend scouring CDN comparison which summarizes the key features of each provider, including their setup, pricing, security, among others.
Fast networks and unlimited storage may be readily available for most websites. However, data compression is crucial to speed up load times, especially for users and areas with slower internet speed.
Gzip is our favorite tool for data compression. Using it on Javascript code and text files reduces file size by up to 90%. As such, a .zip file sent to the browser (rather than traditional index.html) likely has faster load times and lesser bandwidth.
Some developers insert unnecessary characters, comments, and spaces to improve the code's readability. While it may work when collaborating with teams, computers will require more time to read the code.
A good tip is to use a free Javascript Minifier to simplify your outputs. Just input the Javascript code on the appropriate textbox to generate the simplified code.
More interactive features can make your website eye-catching and tech-savvy. However, unused Javascript becomes a burden on site performance when underutilized.
Developers must regularly determine functionalities not frequently used by visitors. Once detected, eliminate all Javascript codes associated with it. You can also remove the plugins that are no longer useful to your website. This strategy can improve user experience and speed up load times.
Google has several Javascript optimization tools to help developers improve the quality of their websites.
Google Lighthouse is an open-source automated tool that can run audits on any landing page. It generates a report on page performance and includes suggestions like reducing render-blocking-scripts or minifying javascript—to improve the quality of your website. That way, your website follows best practices and becomes accessible.
Meanwhile, Google Pagespeed Insights determines your website's speed. A score above 50 means page load time is less than two seconds, while a lower score indicates your site speed is slow. Optimizing your site for speed has specific performance optimization tips like enabling compression and avoiding landing page redirects.
Creating a top-tier website with fast loading times and high-quality performance takes time. However, Fiverr can make this possible through skilled Javascript developers knowledgeable in CSS, HTML, Javascript optimization tips, and Javascript optimization tools. These professionals include front-end developers who can handle the client-side and back-end developers who can cater to the server-side.
