Main issue: A Shopify store is experiencing low Google PageSpeed scores, particularly on mobile, despite initial optimization efforts.
Actions taken: Images have been compressed and some unused apps removed, but performance remains insufficient.
Request: Practical, Shopify-friendly methods to improve page speed without compromising the site’s design.
Context & resources: Links to the store homepage and collections were provided, suggesting the site is live and available for review.
Status: No solutions or decisions yet; the thread is seeking guidance and remains open.
Hi everyone,
I’m working on a Shopify store but struggling with page speed optimization.
I’ve already compressed images and removed a few unused apps, but Google PageSpeed score is still low, especially on mobile.
Are there any practical steps or Shopify-friendly methods you’ve used that actually improved speed without breaking the design?
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Well you have too much noise. Scrolling bars, videos, chat bubble, “recently purchased” pop-up every 2 seconds, large images, every section is a carousel… How are you wondering why it performs slow? Every little thing you add to the store adds to the process time… Clean the page up, and you will notice it loads faster, or just accept that it’s slow. Lots of websites are slow.
Hi @ChotuToys
Totally understand your frustration page speed on Shopify can be tricky, especially for mobile. A few things that usually help without breaking the design:
Use a lightweight theme some themes load a lot of unnecessary scripts; switching or simplifying can help.
Lazy-load images & videos only load them when they’re visible on screen.
Minify CSS, JavaScript, and Liquid code apps like PageSpeed Guru or NitroPack can help.
Use a fast, reliable hosting/CDN Shopify does most hosting, but some images or custom scripts may load slower if from third-party servers.
Limit third-party scripts — especially pop-ups, chatbots, or analytics apps that load on every page.
Small changes usually make a big difference in mobile PageSpeed scores.
@ChotuToys This is a very common situation on Shopify, especially with mobile scores and you’re right that image compression and app removal alone usually aren’t enough.
Here are practical steps that actually move the needle without breaking design:
1. Fix render-blocking theme code (biggest win) Most themes load CSS, JS, and sections that aren’t needed above the fold. Lazy-loading images helps, but deferring non-critical scripts and fonts improves mobile scores much more.
2. Audit apps that inject scripts even when “unused” Some apps still load JS after uninstalling. Check theme.liquid and remove leftover app snippets and script tags this alone often improves mobile speed by 10–20 points.
3. Replace heavy apps with native Shopify features Popups, reviews, currency switchers, and countdown timers are common speed killers. Shopify now handles many of these natively or with lighter alternatives.
4. Optimize product & collection templates (not just images) Large metafields, product JSON, and dynamic sections slow down mobile rendering. Cleaning those templates has more impact than homepage tweaks.
5. Load below-the-fold sections only when needed Sections like reviews, recommendations, Instagram feeds, and trust badges should load after interaction, not on page load.
6. Ignore Lighthouse “diagnostics” that don’t apply to Shopify Some PageSpeed warnings (like server response time or CDN suggestions) aren’t actionable on Shopify. Focusing on the wrong metrics wastes time.
Most stores improve real mobile speed only after a theme-level audit, not surface fixes.
What theme are you using and which page is scoring the lowest (home, product, or collection)?
Hi,
Hope this will help
Hi @ChotuToys,
As requested, you have removed the extra content from the collection page and also removed the additional/unnecessary sections from the home page.
The pages are now clean and optimized.
Thanks!
Hey @ChotuToys
Check your remaining apps - even the ones you’re using. Some apps are just poorly coded and add tons of JavaScript that tanks your speed. Look at your PageSpeed Insights report and see which specific scripts are causing delays. If you spot an app that’s a major culprit, consider finding a lighter alternative or removing it if it’s not critical.
Your theme matters a lot. Some themes are bloated with features you’re not using. If you’re on an older or feature-heavy theme, consider switching to something lighter like Dawn, which is Shopify’s free default theme and incredibly fast. You can always customize it to match your design needs.
Lazy loading should be enabled for images and videos so they only load as people scroll. Most modern themes have this built in, but if yours doesn’t, you need to enable it. This prevents everything from loading at once when someone lands on your page.
Third-party scripts are often the biggest speed killers - things like Facebook Pixel, Google Analytics, chat widgets, review apps, and tracking codes. Check if these are loading asynchronously so they don’t block your page from rendering. You can’t remove them all, but make sure they’re optimized to load without blocking content.
One thing to keep in mind - don’t obsess over getting a perfect 100 PageSpeed score. Google’s metrics are strict, and even well-optimized Shopify stores often score 70-85 on mobile. What matters more is actual load time for real users. If your site loads in under 3 seconds on mobile, you’re in decent shape even if PageSpeed says otherwise.
Run your site through GTmetrix too, not just PageSpeed Insights. It gives different perspectives and sometimes more actionable recommendations.
If you’ve done all the basics and still struggling, you might need a developer to dig into your theme code and optimize it properly. Sometimes there are technical fixes like deferring JavaScript, optimizing CSS delivery, or restructuring how elements load that require custom work.