I have multiple WordPress websites, all of which utilize WP Rocket. Upon installing an additional Memcached plugin, I noticed a slight improvement in website loading speeds. How can I accurately calculate the loading speed differences both before and after the installation of Memcached? Furthermore, what method should I employ to ascertain whether Memcached is genuinely enhancing the loading speed of my websites?
To accurately assess the impact of Memcached on your multiple WordPress websites' loading speeds, you can follow a structured testing process. Start by establishing a baseline measurement of your websites' loading speed using reliable tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. Note down crucial metrics such as page load time, page size, and the number of requests. After installing the Memcached plugin and ensuring proper configuration, clear any existing caches from other plugins like WP Rocket. This ensures that your initial tests reflect the true impact of Memcached. Then, conduct comparative speed tests before and after enabling Memcached. Run these tests multiple times to obtain an average result and a comprehensive view of the performance changes. Pay particular attention to metrics like page load time, page size, and request counts. However, don't rely solely on a one-time measurement. Monitoring the performance over an extended period is crucial, as Memcached may take some time to optimize and cache data effectively. Observe loading speeds consistently over a week or more to identify any sustained improvements. In addition to traditional speed metrics, consider using Google Analytics to track real user data. Analyze metrics such as bounce rate and average session duration to gauge improvements in user engagement, which is often linked to faster loading times. Lastly, keep an eye on server resource usage, especially if you're on a shared hosting plan. Memcached can be resource-intensive, so ensure that it isn't negatively impacting your server's performance. This data-driven approach will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how Memcached is influencing your websites' loading speeds and whether it's delivering the desired improvements.