Install a Page Caching Component to Drastically Decrease Page Load Times

May 13th Information and Tutorials \ Web Site Performance Installing a 3rd party page cache component will probably make the biggest difference in your web site's load times. There are several components listed at the Joomla Extensions website. I personally recommend Ircmaxell's PageCache component from JoomlaPerformance.com.

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The PageCache component will decrease the number of queries needed for page loads. It stores copies of your site's pages to a cache directory and serves them up instead of recreating the entire page every time. You will see a massive improvement in the speed of your Joomla site for users not logged in. Unfortunately, it won't make any difference for users who are logged in so make sure you also have Caching turned on in your website's Global Configuration settings.

{cbauthor}Another caching component, which boasts speed improvements 100 times faster than your current website, is the Joomla Accelerate Component by Joomlatwork.com. It looks good and has excellent reviews, but it also only works for guests and not logged in users. I don't think it differs much from the Ircmaxell PageCache component, and it's a commercial extension so you'll have to pay for it. I only have experience with PageCache, and I highly recommend installing it.