Boost Website Speed: Reduce HTTP Requests

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Greetings from Bulgaria
3. The Importance of HTTP Requests
4. Understanding HTTP Requests
   • What are HTTP Requests?
   • When do HTTP Requests become an issue?
   • Main causes for too many HTTP Requests
5. The Number of HTTP Requests
   • How many HTTP Requests are too many?
   • The 65 to 75 Rule
   • Real-world Examples: Amazon and Basecamp
6. Optimization Techniques for HTTP Requests
   • Technique 1: Using a CDN and leveraging browser caching
   • Technique 2: Optimizing and lazy loading images and videos
   • Technique 3: Using fonts smartly
   • Technique 4: Unloading unnecessary resources
   • Technique 5: Optimizing and combining resources
7. Conclusion

The Importance of HTTP Requests

When it comes to optimizing Website speed and performance, one crucial aspect that is often overlooked is the number of HTTP requests. The essence of HTTP requests lies in the communication between a browser and the server, enabling the rendering of webpage content. Without HTTP requests, accessing websites would be impossible. However, it is important to understand when and how HTTP requests can become problematic.

Understanding HTTP Requests

HTTP requests are essentially the files that make up a web page. Therefore, the number of HTTP requests directly corresponds to the number of files that need to be loaded for a webpage to display its content. If a webpage has too many or too large files, the number of HTTP requests will increase, resulting in longer loading times for visitors. This can lead to a poor user experience as people have to wait for the page content to load.

The Number of HTTP Requests

Determining how many HTTP requests are considered too many can be challenging. Some suggest following the rule of keeping HTTP requests between 65 to 75 per page. However, it is important to evaluate the complexity of a webpage and its specific Context. A webpage with numerous elements that are vital for the user experience may require more than 75 HTTP requests. On the other HAND, a simpler webpage may need optimization if it exceeds an excessive number of HTTP requests.

To illustrate this concept, let's look at two real-world examples: Amazon and Basecamp. Amazon's homepage, filled with images, text, sliders, buttons, and various elements, has 282 HTTP requests. In contrast, Basecamp's homepage, which has a more straightforward design with fewer elements, only has 43 HTTP requests. Despite the significant difference in the number of HTTP requests, both websites provide a fast loading experience for their users.

Optimization Techniques for HTTP Requests

Reducing the number of HTTP requests can significantly improve website performance. Here are five techniques You can utilize to optimize HTTP requests:

Technique 1: Using a CDN and leveraging browser caching

Utilizing a Content Delivery Network (CDN) helps distribute files across multiple servers, reducing the distance between users and the server. Additionally, leveraging browser caching ensures that repeated visitors can load resources from their browser cache, saving loading time.

Technique 2: Optimizing and lazy loading images and videos

Lazy loading images and videos allows only the visible content to be loaded initially. As users scroll down or Interact with specific elements, additional images and videos are loaded. This technique reduces the initial number of HTTP requests and improves the perceived loading speed.

Technique 3: Using fonts smartly

Using a limited number of fonts on a webpage reduces the HTTP requests related to font files. Stick to a few fonts that express your brand and enhance the site's visual appeal without overusing different font families.

Technique 4: Unloading unnecessary resources

Certain plugins or scripts may load resources on every page, even when they are not needed. Identifying and unloading these unnecessary resources helps in reducing the number of HTTP requests, optimizing the site's loading performance.

Technique 5: Optimizing and combining resources

Combining multiple resources, such as CSS and JavaScript files, into one reduces the number of HTTP requests. This can be done manually by merging files or using optimization tools that automatically combine resources.

Conclusion

Considering the number of HTTP requests is crucial for optimizing website speed and performance. While there is no fixed limit for the number of HTTP requests, it is essential to evaluate the complexity of a webpage and optimize accordingly. By leveraging optimization techniques like utilizing CDNs, lazy loading images, using fonts smartly, unloading unnecessary resources, and combining resources, websites can significantly reduce HTTP requests and enhance the overall user experience.