Eliminated Render-Blocking Javascript and CSS in Above The Fold Content

byCoachGom777

3.2K followers

Updated 8 years ago

I have finally eliminated render-blocking Javascript and CSS in Above The Fold Content! Now, my site is running at full speed with speed testing tools!

Here's my latest result with the tool https://testmysite.thinkwithgoogle.com

But you know what? Before I arrived in this, I almost lost hope with the process. I even discouraged one member here whom I saw desperately trying to eliminate the annoying JS & CSS, and persuaded him to abort the process because I thought it's hopeless.

The thing that made me think it's futile to do is that, I saw top affiliates from here not even minding about their site's speed (I tested their sites with the speed-testing tool, and mind you, their scores suck!)

So, I thought "Am I the only one getting paranoid of these? Maybe I should think of other productive things that are worth my time than this crazy one."

I aborted the process and only resumed doing it last night. And you know what? I found a way to make it work!

Here's what I learned:

There are so many lessons and tutorials here on improving site's speed you will risk getting confused or run in circles. So, be careful who to listen to. Learn how to filter information from inside WA and from outside sources.

Let's start...

The most popular plugin for getting rid of those annoying JS and CSS, is W3 Total Cache. Search for it inside your wordpress.

If gurus are telling you to install other mobile plugins like WP Touch Mobile, don't listen to them because that plugin will go in conflict with W3 Total Cache unless you upgrade to PRO version of those plugins (you cannot make the two plugins compatible with each other if you're using free versions of them).

Use WP Touch Mobile only if you don't intend to use W3 Total Cache, or if your only reason is improve the "aesthetic" part of your site on mobile. Sites with WP Touch Mobile really looks great on phones.

Can Make The Two Plugins Work Together If You Use Premium Versions

If you have limited money and you can't upgrade for pro version of these plugins, you have to choose between the two plugins. The reason I got stuck because I first learned about WP Touch Mobile first before I bumped with W3 Total Cache, and the earlier got in the way of the latter.

So, go on installing W3 Total Cache. With the link that I'm going to share with you, the blogger will recommend other (optional) plugins so install W3 Total Cache first before you try any other plugins. Make it your first priority.

Also, if you are using other plugins with your blog posts, like "Better Click To Tweet", uninstall them. I have removed Better Click To Tweet, as I already have Sumome social sharing plugin. The Better Click To Tweet has JS that are hard to tame! (even with W3 Total Cache)

Then, follow the instructions laid out here:

https://www.wpcub.com/eliminate-render-blocking-ja...

It may be a tutorial done by a none-WA member, so keep an open mind.

Trust me, that path relieved me of my problem (got rid of the thought that a process was left hanging/aborted because I can't find a solution).

If you have the same struggle, I hope my discovery would help you.

Cheers!