A big thanks to our TBEX Europe 2025 Gold Sponsors, 34SP.com, for sharing this practical, easy-to-follow guide to website performance optimization—because in today’s fast-paced travel media world, every second counts.
This year at TBEX, 34SP.com will host a WordPress Live Help Desk where you can get hands-on advice from their expert team. To make sure they bring the right tools and answers, they’re inviting you to take a quick survey about your WordPress and hosting challenges. Everyone who completes it will be entered into a prize draw to win a HotelGift.com voucher, perfect for your next adventure.
Why website speed matters
Picture this. A potential traveler discovers your website after searching for inspiration for their next trip. They click and…. Wait….
Three seconds pass. Four. Images are half-loading.
They give up and move on to something else.
Whether you’re sharing travel content, showcasing a destination, or promoting travel experiences, those lost seconds can mean the difference between gaining a new follower, customer or advocate, or losing them for good.
When it comes to websites, speed matters. Your audience is visual, curious, and impatient to explore. A slow website can impact everything from user engagement and search rankings to ad revenue and bookings.
The good news? Improving your website’s performance doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.
This guide from 34SP.com, the WordPress and web hosting experts, is packed full of practical, easy-to-action tips to help you deliver a lightning-fast website.
How to check your website performance
Before you can improve your site’s speed, you need to know where you’re starting from. The good news? You don’t need to be technical to get clear, actionable insights.
A quick check with the right tools will highlight where you stand and where to focus your efforts.
- Use free tools like:
- Google PageSpeed Insights
- GTmetrix
- Google Site Kit
Run a single test, note your score, and revisit it as you make changes. That way, you’ll see the real impact of your optimisations.
Want some more info on these tools? Check out our in-depth articles:
What slows down most travel websites
Travel sites tend to be rich with imagery, maps, and interactive elements, all of which can be a treat for users but a strain on speed if not managed well.
Many slowdowns come from just a few sources, and most can be addressed without any coding.
How to handle large, uncompressed images
- Big images are beautiful, but they can make your pages slow to load
- Always compress and resize images before uploading
- Use tools like ImageOptim (Mac) or TinyPNG (available via browser)
- Lazy load images so they only appear when a user scrolls down
We have a handy, detailed guide on Getting to grips with images
Dealing with too many plugins or a bulky theme
- Every additional plugin adds extra weight to your site
- Use only what you need and review them regularly
- Avoid themes with features you don’t use
- If in doubt, ask your developer or host to check
Third-party scripts (like ads or analytics)
- Ads and tracking tools can also slow things down
- If you’re running display ads, test how much they’re affecting performance
- If speed is more important than ad revenue, consider removing them or finding lighter alternatives
Easy wins that can make a big difference
You don’t need to rebuild your site to see faster load times. Small, targeted changes can deliver noticeable improvements for visitors and search engines alike.
Optimize your images
- Resize before upload
- Use WebP format where possible (many plugins handle this automatically)
- Consider using a Content Delivery Network if you have a global audience
Minify (i.e. streamline) your code with no coding required
- There are tools/plugins that can tidy up your website’s code for you
- This can help improve your Google PageSpeed score without technical effort
Check your cache
- Caching means storing parts of your website temporarily so it loads faster
- Your hosting provider may already be doing this. If not, consider a simple caching plugin
Ask your host for help
- Sometimes, speed issues are caused by slow hosting!
- If your site feels sluggish, reach out to your hosting support to ask for a speed review
- Good hosts (like us) can help spot server-side issues that are in the host’s control to fix
Focus on the visitor experience, not just the score
Performance tools like Google PageSpeed Insights provide useful direction, but they don’t tell the whole story. What matters most is how fast your site feels for the people using it. Aim for a balance between speed and functionality
A perfect score isn’t worth sacrificing the design or features that your audience loves.
“These are suggestions by Google, not deal breakers. Think about each logically. You can change your setup, but should you?” Stuart Melling, Co-Founder, 34SP.com
Come and chat to us at TBEX Europe
If you’re joining us at TBEX Europe, stop by the 34SP.com Live Help Desk.
We’ll run a quick speed check on your site and pinpoint your top optimization opportunity. You’ll walk away with a personalized checklist to help you focus your efforts for the biggest gains. No tech expertise required, just bring your website URL and we’ll do the rest!
At TBEX, we’re all about helping you create, share, and grow. That’s why we’re thrilled to have 34SP.com on-site in Donegal, offering quick, free website performance speed checks at their Live Help Desk. Swing by, meet the experts, and walk away with a personalized action plan to make your site faster, more engaging, and more profitable. Whether you’re chasing more readers, bookings, or brand collaborations, this is one sponsor visit you don’t want to miss at TBEX Europe.
Add your first comment to this post