Optimizing PrestaShop speed can greatly improve SEO, conversions, and user experience.
PrestaShop Speed Optimization Checklist
1. Enable CCC (Combine, Compress, Cache)
Go to:
Advanced Parameters → Performance
Enable:
- Smart cache for CSS
- Smart cache for JavaScript
- Minify HTML
- Compress inline JavaScript
- Move JavaScript to end
- Apache optimization
These reduce page size and HTTP requests.
2. Disable Unused Modules
Many slow stores have too many modules.
Go to:
Modules → Module Manager
Disable:
- Unused payment modules
- Old sliders
- Statistics modules
- Live chat modules not in use
- Heavy popup modules
Each module adds hooks and SQL queries.
3. Use Full Page Cache
Install a caching module.
Popular options:
- Page Cache Ultimate
- JPresta Cache
- LiteSpeed Cache (if server supports LiteSpeed)
This can reduce page load from 5s → under 1s.
4. Optimize Images
Large images are the biggest slowdown.
Recommended:
- Convert images to WebP
- Compress product images
- Use lazy loading
- Avoid oversized banners
Good tools:
- TinyPNG
- Squoosh
- ImageMagick
WebP Example
5. Use Fast Hosting
Shared hosting is often the bottleneck.
Recommended stack:
- LiteSpeed or NGINX
- PHP 8.1+
- MariaDB
- NVMe SSD
- Redis cache
Avoid cheap overloaded hosting.
6. Enable OPcache
In PHP settings, enable:
- OPcache
- JIT (optional)
This reduces PHP execution time.
7. Use Redis or Memcached
Go to:
Advanced Parameters → Performance
Set caching:
- Redis
- Memcached
Better than file cache.
8. Database Optimisation
Large databases slow PrestaShop.
Clean:
- Old carts
- Connections
- Statistics
- Search logs
- Guest accounts
Optimize tables regularly.
9. Reduce Hook Overload
Too many modules attached to hooks slow rendering.
Go to:
Design → Positions
Remove unnecessary modules from:
- displayHeader
- displayHome
- displayFooter
10. Use CDN
A CDN improves global speed.
Popular CDNs:
Benefits:
- Faster image delivery
- DDoS protection
- Browser caching
11. Optimize Theme
Heavy themes slow stores.
Avoid:
- Too many sliders
- Video backgrounds
- Massive animations
Use lightweight themes.
12. Disable Debug Mode
Never keep debug enabled on live sites.
Check:
/config/defines.inc.php
Set:
define('_PS_MODE_DEV_', false);
13. Enable GZIP Compression
Apache:
<IfModule mod_deflate.c>
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/html text/css application/javascript
</IfModule>
NGINX:
gzip on;
14. Use Latest PHP Version
Best performance:
- PHP 8.1 or 8.2
Older PHP versions are slower.
15. Measure Speed Properly
Use:
Focus on:
- LCP
- CLS
- TTFB
Biggest Real-World Improvements
Usually these give the largest boost:
- Full page cache
- WebP images
- Better hosting
- Removing heavy modules
- CDN
- Redis cache
Ideal Fast PrestaShop Stack
- LiteSpeed server
- PHP 8.2
- Redis
- Cloudflare
- WebP images
- Lightweight theme
- CCC enabled
A properly optimised store can load in under 2 seconds.
