Need Help Improving Store Speed - Remove Leftover Code & Reduce Unused JavaScript

Technical Q&A
, , ,
1

I’m struggling with my store speed, and Shopify support suggested removing leftover app code and reducing unused JavaScript. However, I’m not very technical, so I’m unsure how to do this myself.

Here’s my performance report:

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 7 seconds (Poor)
  • Interaction to Next Paint (INP): 152 ms (Good)
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0.1 (Good)
2

Hi @TheGreyArea

With the Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) time sitting at 7 seconds, there are a few straightforward things you can do to optimize your Shopify store. Let’s break down what you can focus on with leftover app code and unused JavaScript:

1. Remove Leftover App Code

Sometimes, when you uninstall apps from Shopify, their code sticks around, cluttering up your site and slowing it down. Here’s how to clean it up:

  • Access Your Theme Code:

    1. Go to your Shopify admin, then navigate to Online Store > Themes.
    2. Find your current theme, and click on Actions > Edit code.

  • Look for App Code:

    • Focus on the Sections and Snippets folders. You’ll often find leftover code in liquid files, often named after the app or something related to it.
    • Remove any code that you recognize as being from an app you’ve already uninstalled. Important: Before making any changes, be sure to backup your theme in case you need to revert.

  • Save Your Changes:

    • After deleting the unnecessary code, make sure to save your changes. It’s also a good idea to preview your site to make sure everything still looks and works as expected.

2. Reduce Unused JavaScript

Unused JavaScript can bog down your site, but don’t worry—there are steps you can take to lighten the load:

  • Identify Unused Javascript:

    • You can use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to pinpoint scripts that aren’t adding value to your site’s performance.

  • Optimize Your Apps:

    • Instead of removing apps, consider checking if you can switch to lighter alternatives that provide only the features you need. This can reduce the amount of unnecessary code being added to your site.

  • Implement Lazy Loading:

    • Lazy loading defers loading certain scripts until they’re actually needed, which can really speed things up. You might need a developer’s help with this or look for apps that include lazy loading functionality.

Here are a few extra tips to speed up your store without getting too technical:

  • Compress Your Images: Large image files can slow down your site, so using apps that automatically compress images while maintaining their quality can make a huge difference.
  • Limit the Number of Apps: Each app adds code to your site, and having fewer apps can result in better performance.
  • Use a Fast Theme: If your current theme is a bit heavy, consider switching to a lightweight and optimized theme from the Shopify Theme Store to improve your site’s speed.

If you’re not comfortable diving into the technical aspects, no worries! You can always hire a Shopify expert, developer or consider install SEO app that can assist you to improve the store speed, you can check this out: https://apps.shopify.com/avada-seo-suite

If you need any help, feel free to ask me.

Liz

3

Hi @TheGreyArea ,

To improve your Shopify store speed based on the report:

  1. Remove Leftover App Code:

    • Identify and delete unused app scripts in theme.liquid, snippets, and assets.

  2. Reduce JavaScript:

    • Minify and defer unnecessary scripts.
    • Lazy load scripts for specific pages.

  3. Optimize Images:

    • Compress images and use WebP format.
    • Implement lazy loading for non-visible images.

  4. Improve LCP:

    • Inline critical CSS and preload essential fonts.
    • Simplify the theme and avoid heavy animations.

  5. Use Performance Tools:

    • Test improvements with Shopify Analyzer or PageSpeed Insights.

If you are not very technical, consider hiring a developer to assist with detailed optimization.

4

Hi @TheGreyArea ,

Can you share your store URL so that I can help you check?

Best,

Daisy

5

Thanks for your reply

Here’s my store link

https://thegreyareaofficial.com/

6

Hi

I am not so technical and use the necessary apps.

Apps Installed:

  • Veda Landing Page Builder
  • EComposer Builder
  • EA Page Speed Boost
  • Other essential apps: WhatsApp Button, Facebook & Instagram, Google & YouTube, etc.

My theme Name is Stylix which is 2.0 theme