Where are the optimization settings for GZIP compression?

For Google Chrome, you should go to the “Developer Tools” and then “Network Tab” for optimizing GZIP compression. Even though it is for Google Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer also have similar options.

What are the speed levels of GZIP?

GZIP has nine different levels of speed. One is the fastest speed, but the lowest compression and 9 is the slowest speed but the highest compression. Generally, the default settings of browsers are 6. However, you can change them depending on your needs.

Its slowness differs according to its level of speed, which is from 1 to 9. These levels represent GZIP’s speed and compression ratio. If it is too slow, it probably makes the highest compression.

How much time do you need to zip a large file?

Zipping time changes according to the magnitude of the file. If the file is small, it will not take that much time to zip. Nevertheless, if it is a big file, you may need 20 to 30 minutes for the best compression ratio. Even though it may seem long, it is efficient.

Should you GZIP images?

For image files, it is totally different. Image, PDF, video, and other binary formats are supported by the web. It means that they are already zipped. If you try to zip them again, it will not work at all. Even you can make them larger by mistake.

How to Enable GZIP Compression in WordPress

GZIP compression is an efficient way to improve your website’s performance and speed. It helps to make faster the page load times and transfer the data more efficiently. Even though it may sound complicated, WordPress plugins enable you to use GZIP compression easier. Hence, keep reading to learn how to enable GZIP compression in WordPress!

What will we cover in this article?

What Is GZIP Compression?

Firstly, GZIP compression does not change any function of your website. It just zips the file to make the downloading process faster. When these files are sent to users’ browsers, their browsers will automatically unzip the data. Therefore, the file will be displayed in its original format.

As can be seen above, GZIP compression is a method to reduce download time by zipping the file. Besides, it is supported by most hosting companies, browsers, and server software. It means that you do not need to spend much effort on your files’ compression.

The Significance of Enabling GZIP

Page load times slower, especially when several users enter your website at the same time. Therefore, GZIP compression saves website owners from trouble by zipping the file and increasing the speed of page load time. However, it may seem confusing or too technical for some users. Therefore, using WordPress plugins helps you by making it much more manageable.

Three Easy Plugins to Enable GZIP Compression in WordPress

Here are the three easy plugins to enable gzip compression in WordPress.

WP Rocket Plugin

WP Rocket is an excellent way to enable GZIP compression in WordPress, and it is super easy. Firstly, you should install the plugin and activate it. Once you activate it, you will see a message on the dashboard. Besides, you can check from the “Settings” page too. If you use the Apache server, the WP Rocket will be activated automatically without any additional step.

W3 Total Cache Plugin

W3 Total Cache can be a bit more complicated than WP Rocket for beginners, but it is quite an efficient plugin with its free version. Like the previous plugins, you should install this one for activation too. After you install it, it should be activated automatically. However, in order to prevent any problem, you may recheck your settings.

Go to the “General Settings” page and find the option named “Browser Cache” on the bottom of the page. If the “Enable” button is marked, it means that GZIP compression is enabled in WordPress. If not, tap it to enable it.

WP Super Cache Plugin

WP Super Cache is a free caching plugin, and activating is super easy. Firstly, you should install the plugin for activation. On the “Settings” dropdown menu, you will see an option named “WP Super Cache.” Click it, then tap the “Advanced” button placed on the top of the page.

After these steps, different options about the plugin will appear on your screen. At the bottom of the page, find the “Compress pages, so they’re served more quickly to visitors (Recommended)” option, then click it. After you complete these few steps, the GZIP compression will be enabled in WordPress.

Brief Explanation on GZIP Compression in WordPress

GZIP compression is a vital step for your website’s load time. When high numbers of visitors try to load your page at the same time, it affects your website’s speed by making it slower. Therefore, zipping the files reduces the load time without changing your files’ function because they are unzipped once your website is loaded.