Key takeaways
- Images and apps are the two biggest causes of slow Shopify stores.
- Measure first with PageSpeed Insights so you know what actually improved.
- Small, boring fixes — fewer apps, smaller images, no autoplay video — beat clever tricks.
Every extra second of loading gives shoppers a reason to leave. The good news is that most Shopify speed problems come from a short list of causes, and you can fix many of them yourself in an afternoon — no developer needed.
First, measure
Before changing anything, test your homepage, a collection page and a product page in Google PageSpeed Insights. Note the mobile results for the three Core Web Vitals:
Shopify's admin also includes a web performance report based on real visitors. Use both: PageSpeed shows why a page is slow; Shopify's report shows how real customers experience it.
Images: the quickest wins
1. Upload images at sensible sizes
A 6000-pixel photo straight from a camera is far larger than any screen needs. Resize product photos to around 2000–2500 pixels on the longest side before uploading. Modern themes automatically serve smaller versions to phones.
2. Compress before you upload
Run images through a compressor such as Squoosh or TinyPNG. You'll often cut file size in half with no visible difference.
3. Keep the hero simple
The first big image on your homepage is usually what LCP measures. One strong image beats a slideshow of five, and a static image beats an autoplaying background video.
Tip: If you love video, show a poster image first and let visitors press play. You keep the story without the loading cost.
Apps: the silent slowdown
4. Audit every installed app
List your apps and ask one question for each: did this make me money last month? Remove anything that didn't.
5. Clean up after uninstalled apps
Some older apps leave code in your theme even after you uninstall them. If you notice scripts from apps you no longer use, ask the app's support how to remove them, or ask a developer to check your theme files.
6. Prefer apps that use app blocks
Online Store 2.0 apps that plug in through app blocks load only where you place them, instead of on every page.
Theme and content
7. Use a fast, modern theme
No amount of tweaking will fully fix a heavy theme. Online Store 2.0 themes built with performance in mind give you a much better starting point.
8. Limit fonts
Each font weight is another file to download. Two font families with two or three weights each is plenty.
9. Trim the homepage
Fifteen sections on the homepage means fifteen sections to load. Keep the ones that help people find and buy products; cut the rest.
10. Reduce pop-ups and widgets
Chat bubbles, spin-to-win wheels, review carousels and countdown timers each add scripts. Pick the one or two that genuinely convert.
Tracking and third-party scripts
11. Remove duplicate tracking
It's common to find the same analytics or pixel installed twice — once by an app and once by hand. Use Shopify's built-in customer events and integrations where possible, and remove manual duplicates.
12. Re-test after every change
Change one thing at a time and measure again. That way you know exactly what helped — and what didn't.
Don't chase a perfect 100. Scores vary from test to test. Aim for clearly "good" Core Web Vitals and a store that feels instant on a mid-range phone.
Your speed checklist
- MeasureTest three key pages on mobile and save the results.
- Fix imagesResize, compress, simplify the hero.
- Cut appsRemove what doesn't earn its place.
- SimplifyFewer fonts, fewer homepage sections, fewer widgets.
- Measure againCompare against your baseline.
Start with a fast foundation
Our themes are built lightweight, with modern image loading and no unnecessary scripts.
Browse fast themes
