If you've ever been frustrated with the slow loading times of your website, you may need a content delivery network or CDN. A CDN is a service that speeds up the loading of web pages by caching static files and delivering them from servers closer to the user. With Core Web Vitals now confirmed as Google ranking factors, a CDN is essential for achieving the sub-2.5 second load times Google recommends.
Caching is defined as storing copies of a website in a temporary storage location so that they can be accessed more quickly.
In this article, we provide a brief look into content delivery networks, how they work and how they can help speed up websites. We also provide some tips on choosing the right CDN.
What Is a CDN and How Does It Work?
A CDN is a network of servers that delivers content to users based on their geographic location. The goal of a CDN is to deliver content as quickly and efficiently as possible. When someone visits your website, their browser asks the server where your site is stored to send over the files that will allow it to display the page.
If you are using a CDN, it will send over the files from the server closest to the visitor's location. This reduces latency and improves page loading times.
If you don't use a CDN, your users will have to wait for the server to fetch the files from your website's hosting provider, which could be on the other side of the world. This process can be slow, especially if your website is hosted on a shared server. A CDN can help speed up this process by caching static files and delivering them from servers closer to the user's location.
The Benefits of Using a CDN
There are many benefits to using a CDN, including a website that loads faster and is more secure. Website speed is also crucial for SEO—slow sites rank poorly in search results. A CDN also helps to reduce how much bandwidth you use, which could significantly affect your website's performance and your hosting bill at the end of the month.
A CDN can speed up your website by reducing the distance that data has to travel. Data travels faster when it's closer to the user's location. Using a CDN, you can ensure that your users will always have access to the content they need quickly and efficiently.
A CDN can also reduce bandwidth usage by caching static files. Therefore, your server will not need to send as much data each time a user requests a web page. This can save you money on bandwidth costs and improve your website's overall performance.
Additionally, a CDN can increase security by providing DDoS protection and reducing the risk of hacking. By using a CDN, you can help to keep your website safe from attacks.
How to Choose the Right CDN for Your Website
There are many different CDN providers to choose from. When selecting a CDN for your website, you should consider your needs and budget. Some factors to consider when choosing a CDN include:
The Size of Your Website
If you have a small website, you may not need all the features a large CDN can provide. Instead, select a CDN that is designed for small websites. On the other hand, if you have a large website, you will need a CDN that can handle the traffic and data.
The Location of Your Users
If most of your users are located in one region, you should choose a CDN with servers in that region. For UK businesses, choosing a CDN with London PoPs (Points of Presence) is crucial for local performance. However, if you have users all over the world, you may need a CDN with servers in multiple regions.
The Type of Content You Serve
If you serve a lot of video or audio content, you will need a CDN that can handle large files. Select a CDN that can provide the storage and bandwidth you need. Conversely, you may not need as much storage or bandwidth if you have a small website with mostly text content.
Your Budget
CDN providers offer different features at different price points. Major providers like Cloudflare, Fastly, and AWS CloudFront offer free or low-cost tiers suitable for UK small businesses. Many website builders (Squarespace, Wix, Shopify) now include CDN functionality by default. However, don't select a CDN solely based on price. Make sure that the CDN you choose can provide the speed and reliability you need—a low-priced CDN with bad reliability will only result in increasing your website's downtime and ultimately hurting your business.
Ready to Sign Up for a CDN?
Content delivery networks are an essential tool for any website that wants to improve its speed and performance. By using a CDN, you can ensure that your users have a fast and reliable experience when they visit your site. Modern CDNs also offer built-in image optimisation (WebP/AVIF conversion), automatic minification, and bot protection.
Now that you know how a CDN works and the benefits of using one, you may be ready to sign up for a CDN service. Before selecting a CDN, take some time to research the different providers and compare features.
Need help with your website performance? Get in touch to discuss your project.