Upcoming Improvements: Caching & Website Performance

Understanding Caching on WP Engine

Caching is a critical component of website performance and stability. It allows commonly requested content to be temporarily stored and quickly retrieved, reducing the processing load on the server. This results in faster page loads for visitors and improved scalability.

How Caching Works on WP Engine

When a page is requested for the first time, WP Engine’s caching system stores a static version of the page. Subsequent requests for that page will then be served the cached version directly, without having to process the page through WordPress.

Key points about WP Engine’s caching:

• Cached pages are stored for a limited time before being regenerated
• The cache is automatically cleared when content is updated through the WordPress admin
• Caching can be selectively disabled for specific pages or sections of the site
• Administrators have the ability to manually clear the entire cache if needed

Benefits of Caching

1. Faster Page Loads - Serving a cached page is much quicker than generating the page from scratch each time. Visitors experience faster load times.

2. Reduced Server Load - With caching, the server doesn’t need to execute WordPress, run PHP, and query the database for every request. This significantly reduces server resource usage.

3. Improved Scalability - Caching allows a site to handle higher levels of traffic by reducing the processing work required per request.

4. Better Uptime - By lightening the load on the server, caching helps prevent overload-related downtime and errors.

Caching for Different User Roles

WP Engine’s caching system behaves differently based on the visitor’s role:

• Logged-Out Visitors see the cached version of a page. This ensures the majority of traffic gets the fastest possible response.

• Logged-In Administrators bypass the cache when logged into WordPress. This ensures they always see the most up-to-date version of the site, including drafted or pending changes.

• Logged-In Subscribers may see the cached version for a brief period after content is updated. The cache for them will clear shortly after changes are published.

Managing the Cache

Cache Lifespan

By default, cached pages remain valid for 10 minutes before being regenerated. However, certain events will automatically invalidate the cache sooner:

• Updating content through the WordPress admin
• Posting a new comment (if comments are enabled)
• Changing WordPress settings

Manually Clearing the Cache

While the cache regularly updates itself, there may be times when you need to clear it manually. For example:

• After making significant site-wide changes
• If you notice an issue that might be cache-related
• Before launching a new feature or section of the site

To manually clear the cache:

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Navigate to the WP Engine menu in the admin bar
3. Click “Clear All Caches”

This will purge the entire cache, forcing fresh versions of pages to be generated for subsequent requests.

Excluding Content from the Cache

In some cases, you may want to prevent certain pages from being cached. For example:

• Pages with frequently updating dynamic content
• Pages with user-specific or sensitive information
• Pages that require real-time server processing

To exclude a page from caching:

1. Edit the page in the WordPress admin
2. Locate the “Cache Options” meta box (you may need to enable it in Screen Options)
3. Select “Do not cache this page”
4. Update the page

Keep in mind, uncached pages will be slower and put more load on the server, so use this option sparingly.

Conclusion

Caching is essential for a fast, scalable WordPress site. WP Engine’s caching system intelligently manages this for you, serving cached content to visitors while ensuring administrators always see the latest changes. By understanding how caching works, you can work with it effectively to provide the best possible experience to your users.