Is it really possible to get 100% on Google Lighthouse with WordPress?

Yes, it's achievable with a custom-built WordPress theme and a strong focus on performance optimisation, accessibility, and SEO best practices.

Do I need a page builder to optimise my WordPress site?

No – in fact, page builders often add unnecessary bloat. A bespoke theme gives you complete control over code quality and helps you meet Lighthouse performance targets.

What impacts my Google Lighthouse performance score the most?

Key factors include image optimisation (e.g. using WebP), lazy loading, efficient CSS/JS, server response time, caching, and reducing third-party scripts.

How can I optimise my WordPress theme for PageSpeed Insights?

Use semantic HTML5, defer non-critical scripts, minify assets, preload important resources, and implement a CDN to boost load speed and performance.

How do I improve accessibility in my WordPress site?

Ensure good colour contrast, keyboard navigation, proper heading structure, labelled form fields, and meaningful alt text for all media.

Why is custom WordPress development better for SEO and speed?

A bespoke WordPress build eliminates unnecessary code, improves load times, and allows precise control over SEO elements like meta tags, schema, and structure.

Can I still use plugins and achieve a 100% Google Lighthouse score?

Yes – as long as you use lightweight, well-coded plugins. Avoid those that load global styles or scripts unnecessarily across your entire site.

How does hosting affect my WordPress speed score?

Fast, modern hosting with SSDs, LiteSpeed or NGINX, and HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 support can dramatically improve TTFB and overall Lighthouse performance metrics.

What tools can I use to monitor WordPress performance?

Lighthouse (built into Chrome), PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, WebPageTest, and Query Monitor are excellent for ongoing optimisation.

Is using a CDN important for WordPress speed optimisation?

Yes – a Content Delivery Network (like Cloudflare) helps reduce latency, speeds up global delivery, and improves both Lighthouse and PageSpeed Insights scores.

How often should I audit my site with Lighthouse?

Regularly – especially after adding new features, plugins, or design changes. Run multiple tests to account for variation and ensure consistency in performance.

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4 April 2025