To make WordPress faster: drop unused plugins, optimize images, enable page cache, use a CDN, and pick a light theme. If you're still in the 40s - 70s on mobile PageSpeed after that, the CMS is the ceiling. Migrating to static HTML on Cloudflare is how we get sites into the 90s without another plugin.
The free wins
Delete plugins you don't use. Compress images. Don't load page-builder CSS globally. That's worth doing even if you migrate next month.
The paid treadmill
WP Rocket + a new host + a 'speed expert' on Fiverr. Sometimes +15 points. Rarely a lasting 90+.
The architectural win
Fix page speed by not generating HTML on each request. That's Wordpress Escape.
If the scan's Performance grade is a C, maybe tune. If it's an F, leave.
Frequently asked questions
How can I make WordPress faster?
Fewer plugins, cache, CDN, image compression. Then, if you're still slow, leave WordPress.
What's the fastest WordPress setup?
A block theme, almost no plugins, good hosting. Still slower than static HTML on Cloudflare for most real sites.
When should I stop optimizing WordPress?
When more plugins aren't moving Core Web Vitals. That's the migrate conversation.
See if you're past the plugin ceiling
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