LORD Corporation is a technologically advanced manufacturing company that specializes in producing adhesives, coatings, motion control devices, and sensing technologies. They approached our team seeking assistance in improving the performance of their Drupal-based website, particularly on mobile devices. This study highlights the challenges faced and the strategic optimizations implemented to enhance the website's performance.
The objective of this study is to showcase the process and results of optimizing the performance of Drupal website on both web and mobile platforms. By focusing on mobile devices, the aim was to significantly reduce page load times, improve user experience, and ensure optimal performance across different devices.
The optimization process for LORD Corporation's Drupal website involved addressing specific challenges to enhance performance on both web and mobile devices. The following were the key challenges encountered during the project:
- Mobile Performance Limitations:
- Slow loading times reported specifically on mobile devices.
- Need to identify and address factors responsible for the performance issues.
- Identifying Performance Bottlenecks:
- Understanding the complexities of server-side processing and client-side rendering in Drupal.
- Identifying and rectifying the root causes affecting performance, such as:
i. Heavy server-side processing affecting response times.
ii. Inefficient client-side rendering leading to slow page load times.
iii. Complex HTML structure impacting mobile performance.
iv. Excessive resource requests causing delays in loading.
These challenges provided the framework for the optimization strategies implemented to improve the website's performance.
Optimization Strategies Implemented:
- Performance analysis and measurement:
- Utilizing tools such as NewRelic, Google PageSpeed Insights, and WebPageTest, a detailed analysis of the website's performance was conducted to identify areas of improvement and gather valuable insights.
- Server-side optimizations:
- Cache utilization: Caching mechanisms in Drupal were enabled and optimized for both anonymous and logged-in users, including exploring options like Memcache or Redis for improved performance.
- Database optimization: The database configuration was reviewed and optimized to enhance query performance and reduce server load.
- Client-side optimizations:
- JavaScript inlining: Critical JavaScript code, particularly on the homepage, was selectively inlined to reduce render-blocking resources and minimize external script loading.
- Elimination of unnecessary JavaScript: Outdated or non-essential third-party JavaScript tools were removed to eliminate performance bottlenecks.
- Consolidation of resource requests: Optimized loading of custom fonts by reducing multiple requests to the Google Fonts API and, where feasible, downloading fonts directly from the server.
- Streamlining HTML and CSS: The HTML structure was simplified, and unnecessary CSS declarations were minimized to improve rendering and reduce resource requests.
The implementation of targeted optimizations led to significant improvements in LORD Corporation's Drupal website performance:
- Server-side processing time decreased by 52%, from an average of 1300ms to 620ms.
- Average page load times were reduced from 15 seconds to 8-12 seconds, with a particular focus on enhancing mobile performance.
- The enhanced website performance resulted in improved user experience, higher engagement, and increased client satisfaction.
Lessons Learned:
- Early emphasis on performance: Prioritizing performance optimization from the initial stages of website development ensures a solid foundation for scalability and user satisfaction.
- Holistic approach: Addressing performance issues requires a comprehensive understanding of both server-side and client-side factors, while also considering the unique challenges posed by mobile devices.
- Ongoing monitoring and optimization: Regular performance reviews and continuous monitoring are essential to sustain optimal website performance and promptly address emerging issues.
Through targeted optimization strategies, LORD Corporation's Drupal website performance was significantly enhanced, with a specific focus on improving mobile performance. The optimizations undertaken resulted in faster page load times, improved user experience, and increased engagement. This case study underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to performance optimization, ensuring that websites meet the expectations of users in an increasingly mobile-centric digital landscape.
