Shopify Page Speed Optimization Checklist

1. Measure first

• Test the homepage, a top collection, a top product page and the cart in PageSpeed Insights on mobile.
• Record lab results and field data (Core Web Vitals), with the date.
• Note the Largest Contentful Paint element on each page.
• Check the Core Web Vitals report in Search Console for groups of slow pages.

See how to run a speed audit and what the metrics mean in our Core Web Vitals guide.

2. Images

• Compress and correctly size images before upload.
• Use responsive image URLs with srcset so phones download smaller files.
• Set width and height to prevent layout shift.
• Lazy-load below-the-fold images only. Give the main top image high priority.
• Remove oversized banner and background images.

Details in our image optimisation guide.

3. Apps

• List every installed app and remove those you do not use.
• Check the theme code for leftover snippets and script tags from removed apps.
• Disable app embeds you are not using.
• Replace simple apps (badges, announcement bars, basic popups) with native theme sections.
• Test the speed impact of each remaining app.

See how apps slow down your store.

4. Third-party scripts

• Review tags in your tag manager and delete unused ones.
• Defer or delay non-essential scripts such as chat, heatmaps and social widgets.
• Avoid loading the same library more than once.
• Check that tracking scripts do not block rendering.

5. Theme code

• Remove unused CSS and JavaScript where it is safe to do so.
• Avoid heavy sliders, carousels and animation libraries above the fold.
• Reduce the number of sections that render on each template.
• Keep the theme updated, and test on a duplicate theme before publishing changes.

If the theme itself is the bottleneck, see our theme speed optimisation service.

6. Fonts, video and embeds

• Use as few font families and weights as the design allows, with a sensible font-display setting.
• Do not autoplay large videos above the fold.
• Use lightweight placeholders for embedded videos and maps until they are needed.

7. Mobile and checkout

• Test on real mid-range phones on mobile data, not only on a fast laptop.
• Keep the cart and checkout lean. See our checkout speed work.
• Check mobile-specific layouts for heavy elements that are hidden but still loaded.

8. Monitor and protect your gains

1. Retest after every change and record the result.
2. Check Core Web Vitals monthly, allowing a few weeks for field data to update.
3. Test speed before installing any new app or adding a section.
4. Set an owner for performance, so it does not drift.

Our performance optimisation and speed audit services cover all of this, and our guide to speeding up a store without changing themes shows the approach in context.

Frequently asked questions

How do I speed up my Shopify store?

Measure first, then fix images, remove unused apps and leftover code, control third-party scripts, trim theme code and fonts, and retest after each change.

What is a good Shopify page speed score?

Aim for good Core Web Vitals on mobile, based on real-user data, rather than chasing a single lab score. Scores vary between tests.

How often should I check my Shopify page speed?

Monthly, and every time you install an app, change the theme or add a new section.