In a previous article, we discussed the benefits of using a CDN service with WordPress and how it can significantly improve website speed. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to create a CDN resource at CDN77 and how to optimize it for optimal performance. We will also install specific plugins on WordPress and test to ensure everything is working correctly.
The first step is to create a CDN77 account, which can be done in just a few minutes. If you don’t have an account yet, CDN77 offers a free 14-day trial. Once you have an account, you can create a CDN resource by clicking on “Create new CDN Resource” under the CDN tab. For this guide, we will implement a CDN on a movie blog hosted on a data center in Las Vegas.
Since we will be implementing a full HTTPS solution, we will use the new “HTTPS” option at CDN77, which secures the data transfer from the host server to the CDN server. If your site runs in SSL mode, it is essential to create an SSL-only resource at CDN77 to avoid mixed-content errors.
To set up an SSL at CDN77, you can either use a shared SSL certificate for a subdomain at xxx.c.cdn77.org or use your own CNAME. We recommend using a CNAME like cdn.yoursite.com for optimal performance. Once you have set up the SSL, it is essential to tweak the Other Settings menu by enabling HTTP/2, enabling HTTPS redirect, and ignoring all query strings for optimal performance.
CDN77 also offers a Cache Expiry option that should be set to the highest setting possible if you load a lot of pictures. However, it is important to note that only image static content should be loaded from the CDN, while everything else should be loaded from the origin server.
Once everything is properly tweaked, you can proceed to the data centers menu tab and enable/disable each node of the network. It is essential to carefully select which nodes are most actively used and disable all dispensable nodes to increase cache performance.
On the WordPress side, we need to add a plugin for the CDN to work correctly. We will use the CDN Enabler plugin, which allows granular control over the folders sent to the CDN. Instead of including the wp-content folder, which contains sensitive folders like plugins and themes with tons of Javascript and CSS files, we will include only the wp-content/uploads subfolder to instruct the CDN to load only pictures.
Once everything is set up, a simple refresh of the site will allow the CDN to get the contents for you. The performance increase can be significant, as shown in our before and after test from Sweden, where the time was almost cut in half.
In conclusion, implementing a CDN into your WordPress site can significantly improve website speed. By following these steps and using the tips provided in this article, you can leverage every advantage of a CDN while minimizing its drawbacks. Give the free CDN trial a go and see if you can speed up your WordPress site. If you have any questions or doubts, leave them in the comments below.
