Exploring Airlift for WordPress Performance Boosts
When I appeared on “This Week in WordPress ” back in February, little did I know I’d come away with a game-changing tool for my WordPress sites. We discussed Airlift, a tool designed to supercharge website performance with just a few clicks. Inspired by our conversation, I decided to add Airlift to several of my client sites, and here’s the scoop on how that’s been going.
During the podcast, we explored how Airlift could dramatically improve site speed and enhance Google Core Web Vitals scores. These metrics boost a site’s SEO and improve the user experience. Motivated by our discussion, I quickly added Airlift to my own website, hopeful about its promised speed increases.
What is Airlift?
Airlift is a WordPress performance tool that is available in free and premium versions to suit various needs. The free version offers key features like caching and image optimization that speed up websites and enhance user experience. The premium version adds features such as enhanced asset optimization and comprehensive CDN integration for more advanced needs to boost site performance and elevate Google Core Web Vitals scores. Airlift is ideal for anyone from beginners to those managing multiple sites, providing straightforward solutions to enhance website functionality.
My Experience with Airlift
Starting with Airlift was as straightforward as it gets. It’s free and you install it, and it reports your new Lighthouse scores in a few minutes. The initial results? Impressively fast loading times and happier clients enjoying speedier websites. However, not all was perfect. While newer sites did great with Airlift, some of my client’s sites, especially those on dated Theme Forest themes, didn’t play as nicely. These sites showed some quirks, breaking visually under Airlift’s robust caching and optimization tactics. It was a puzzle, requiring me to adjust settings to get things right.
Will it Replace WP Rocket in My Stack?
Comparing Airlift with WP Rocket, my go-to for years, has been interesting. Each has its strengths, and while Airlift offers outstanding performance boosts, WP Rocket still holds its ground for sheer reliability and ease of use, especially on older or more complex sites. Airlift hasn’t wholly replaced WP Rocket in my toolkit for now, but it’s earned its place.
What Clients Will Need to Do
Introducing any new tool means guiding clients through changes in their site management routines. With Airlift, the most crucial tip I share is about clearing the cache post-update to reflect changes immediately. It’s a small but vital step for maintaining the performance enhancements Airlift provides.
Give Airlift a Try
Every tool I add to my arsenal teaches me something new, and Airlift is no exception. It’s pushed me to deepen my caching knowledge and helped me provide even better service to my clients. To my fellow web designers and site managers considering Airlift, try it—especially on newer sites where its full potential can shine. Be ready for some trial and error with older sites, but the results are well worth the effort.
Check out this episode of WP Builds, in which Nathan Wrigley interviews Akshat Chaudhary, the author of Airlift (and Blogvault, Malcare & WP Remote as well).
