Website performance is one of the critical factors that influences your business results. If it is slow, page loading time grows, and you start losing visitors. It’s not well. That’s why the best way to be ahead of the game is to make a website performance optimization. Today we’ll talk about some tricks that can help you to make Drupal performance optimization.
These tools will help you to check the website speed.
Our action algorithm:
first, we check our website performance via these tools;
then we write down the obtained values;
then we make some changes to boost the website performance;
and finally, check the website performance again and compare the new values with those obtained before.
Don’t forget to write down the values after each change to understand whether you are on the right way. So, let’s go!
3 Steps of Drupal Performance Optimization
First of all, we should understand that any moving mechanism has 3 types of things. They are fuel, control devices, and ballast. For example, let’s take an aerostat. What should we do to make our transport go faster? We have to manage our control devices correctly, turn the gas on, and throw off the ballast. Now let’s look at our website. It also has some things we should set up, some of them – to turn on, turn off or delete at all. But before you decide to delete something, turn it off.
Set Necessary Functionalities
Turn on page caching. It entries the whole page to the cash table. So when the new page is created, there is no need to do many queries, and it’s created in the only table.
Turn page caching on the performance settings page: Configuration -> Performance (admin/config/development/performance)
Turn on block caching. It works with individual blocks. It is necessary because it gives the opportunity to cache blocks, even if the page caching is turned off. Also, it always works for unlogged users.
Turn block caching on the performance settings page: Configuration -> Performance (admin/config/development/performance).
Turn on views block caching. It is an important function too. It’s turned off by default, but it’s better to enable it.
Choose the needed view and go to advanced settings. Then set the necessary type in Block Caching option.
Turn on the built-in JS and CSS integration. This option allows you to reduce the number of HTTP requests by transforming a large number of CSS and JS files in several compact files.
Reduce the number of cron launch times. By default, cron is set up to run every three hours. It means that every three hours the user will get a very slow page loading. The best solution is to turn off the cron on the website and enable it on the server.
Reduce the Number of Unnecessary Modules
Maybe, sometimes it could sound strangely, but the modules don’t always help. Sometimes they even detain the website performance. That’s why we should turn off or even delete such components. Try to do it with following modules and don’t forget to note your results:
Statistics module. This module gathers the data of interaction with your content like Google Analytics and stores all this information in your website databases. So, as you can understand, it overloads your system. That’s why it’s better to avoid the use of this module and work with Google Analytics for such purposes.
PHP filter. This module gives an opportunity to use PHP text format. So with its help, the PHP code is stored in your website database. But it’s not good for the website performance. Just turn it off, but don’t remove because it’s a core module.
Update manager. This tool checks the situation on drupal.org and searches for new versions of modules installed on your website. Of course, it’s great, but it also overloads the website. Better turn it off and use only on a stage project.
Unused modules. The words are unnecessary here. Why do we need the modules we don’t use? – Nobody knows:) But the website is not happy to bring such load. So, turn off unnecessary modules you don’t use and let your website run faster and make Drupal performance optimization!
Install Helpful Modules
And now it’s time to add the fuel and install some useful modules, which will help us to ride so fast as a rocket.
Views content cache. Without caching, when the user uploads a web page, the system requests the database. This situation overloads the website. But views caching solves this problem and stores the results in a views cache table. It reduces the number of requests. So, if you install Views content cache, you’ll allow the website to renew the cache in real time when changing content.
Views Litepager. When you use the default pager for views, the COUNT query is needed for all pages. And it adds the time for the operation. But with views Litepager, you avoid the need to use COUNT queries, displaying only ”Next” and ‘Previous” links.
Boost. This module turns all Drupal pages into flat HTML files and stores them in a cache folder on the server. When the user visits the page, the server returns him cached page without using PHP and MySQL. It speeds up the website in several times. But! Boost works only for anonymous visitors. It doesn’t cache pages for logged-in users.
Fast 404. If your website includes many broken links to images and CSS documents, the website performance slows. In this case, Drupal will go the whole hard path of page loading, even if it gets 404 error as a result. Fast 404 solves this problem and gives fast 404 error messages.
Image resize filter. To speed up the website, you should also reduce the images size. Large images require much time for loading, so they slow down your website. Images resize filter allows you to change the images size in WYSIWYG editor. You should set the height and the width of the image, and this module will reduce its size automatically.
ImageAPI Optimise. Any image contains the data that increase the page loading time even if you use Image resize filter and image styles. This module allows you to optimize the image and remove these data.
Entry cache. Entries are the users, content, and taxonomy terms. Most entries have fields. When each entry is loading, the queries are performed for each field. It increases the number of queries to the database. As we know, such situation influences the website performance. Entry cache will help you to avoid a large number of requests. All data will be stored in the cache table.
Advanced CSS/JS Aggregation. This module is much more efficient than built-in CSS/JS Aggregation. So try and decide, whether it useful for you or not.
Now it’s time to go and win the race. If you did everything right, your website would run much faster. But not everything is so simple as it seems, and sometimes everyone needs professional help. If you are among such users, we’ll be glad to make the professional Drupal performance optimization for you.
But hope you’ll make it and get the high-performance result. Now are you ready to try?
Ready – Steady – Go!
5 Drupal Security Modules for Accounts
Meet our friend Drupal! How many people have already chosen this CMS for their websites? Don’t you know? Okay, we’ll tell: Drupal 7 has nearly 101,000 users all over the world and has settled in their hearts for many years. Today, we won’t talk about Drupal 7 advantages, but raise an important question of Drupal based websites security. For these purposes, web developers have created many Drupal security modules that help keep websites safe.
If you are looking for something suitable to protect the login options of your Drupal based website, this module is very useful in this case. Drupal functionalities are not enough to provide a full login security, but this module successfully copes with this issue. It gives a website administrator an ability to control the access to the login forms.
How it works. You limit failed login attempts and also block such IPs. As a result, spammers can’t get the access to your website.
The main idea of this module is security requirements for the user’s password created for the account access on your website. Hackers use many different ways to crack passwords, but you can complicate them this task by adding some special conditions to a password.
How it works. For example, you make a condition that a password must include 2 or more uppercase letters and 2 digits at least to be accepted. It is a good way to manage passwords security, which is used by numerous modern websites.
Two-factor authentication is a useful technology for the website security. As a default, Drupal provides the authentication via some information the user knows or creates by himself, such as a password and a username. But it’s not enough for a strong defense from hackers and bots. And in this case, TFA makes a deal.
How it works. Two-factor authentication provides you with the second level of security via inquiry of something that the user gets. It could be a secret code sent to a user’s phone number, or one-time password, or something other.
CAPTCHA module is one of the best practices of detecting the spambots, which post the spam content everywhere they can. This visual test allows the system to understand if the user is human or a robot.
How it works. Before the user logs in, he has to enter the symbols, which he sees in the image generated by this module randomly. If the user is a robot, he will not pass this test and won’t get the access to an account.
Automated logout is a useful security feature. It allows you to protect an account data when the user is not active on the website and out of work. This module provides necessary functionalities for such ability.
How it works. The website administrator gets the ability to log users out after some specified time of inactivity. You can set up a timeout and use “site policies” by roles. A user also can set up the time of inactivity, after which he will log out automatically.
The number of installs: 18,424
It was 5 must-have Drupal 7 security plugins that can help you to protect account data on your Drupal based website. But there is not all. It’s just a part of practices used for website security.
Also here is a piece of advice: keep your computer free of viruses and don’t forget to update modules. It is one of the most important things of website management. For these purposes, use Update manager and always stay up-to-date on the release of the new software versions. If you need to do all these works, contact us. We’ll secure your Drupal and install necessary modules.
Wish you great mood and strong Drupal defense!
5 best WordPress Security Plugins
WordPress security is a very important topic. this CMS is quite good but sometimes it faces some security problems because of its popularity. When we see such things, of course, we feel upset. That’s why the web developers improve it creating useful security plugins. Using them, you’ll protect your website from vulnerabilities and will not worry about its safety.
Akismet is one of the most downloaded plugins for WordPress security. And it’s not accidental. It allows you to moderate comments to your blog posts. Akismet works like censorship. It helps to detect spam and reject it.
How it works. You’ll see a new comment in your administrator panel and decide if it should be approved or removed. The comments, which were automatically turned off by Akismet, will also be visible there.
Here is one small catch: before using this plugin, get Akismet API Key.
It is a user-friendly plugin with a complex approach to WordPress security. With its help, you can ensure your login, account, and system file safety.
How it works. This plugin checks your website for vulnerabilities and implements the latest WordPress security practices. You can also see the level of your website security via its points grading system and improve it. All in One doesn’t slow down your website and gives you only pros.
This is the most downloaded WordPress security plugin. It grants protection from hacks and malware. And it’s 100% free.
How it works. It begins to work with the total scan of your website. The goal is to detect whether the website is infected. Then it starts a deep checking of the server-side website code and compares it with the official WordPress sources. The end of this story is optimization of your website. As a result, it becomes 50 times faster and secure.
It is a great plugin that fights against spam on your website. It detects comment spam, trackback spam, contact form and registration spam.
How it works. WP-SpamShield has no CAPTCHA, works in the background and makes the WordPress spam disappear. It detects both types of spam (human and automated spam) and blocks it. The scanner has 2 layers of blocking: one of them protects your website from the spambots, and another does it with human spam. This plugin also makes your website user-friendly and kills spam very fast.
Anti-malware is a useful plugin that helps you to cope with malware, vulnerabilities, viruses and other harmful things on your server.
How it works. This scanner searches for the harmful existing Viruses and Vulnerabilities and automatically removes security threats and backdoor scripts. For its high-security level regularly update this plugin at GOTMLS.NET
So, there were several useful plugins for your website protection, but to make it safer you can also follow our advice:
keep your plugins up to date;
don’t use the “admin” username;
use a complex strong password;
make sure that your chosen WordPress hosting is secure;
use two-factor authentication;
make sure that your computer free of viruses and malware.
Opinions differ. Anyone who uses WordPress will tell you that it’s one of the best platforms for managing websites. Not everybody agrees. But still, it is a favorite CMS of numerous website owners all over the world with many features and advantages. And we are here to make a well-thought decision and understand if this tool is useful for us. Find out five main reasons why WordPress can be the best solution for your website.
5 Powerful WordPress Advantages
1. Easy and Free Installation
First of all, I should say that WordPress is free. It’s a good argument, especially for the beginners in managing websites and startups. If you have an idea, for example, a new blog, but you don’t want to spend much money, try WordPress and launch your project.
So what about installation? No problems! It’s so easy, as a registration process in an online service. Go to wordpress.com and just follow the instructions on the website.
2. High Usability in Managing Content
With WordPress, you can create a blog or any website with a different kind of content. Text, photos, images, video – you can add there everything you want. It is easy and comfortable, thanks to the user-friendly admin panel, where you can edit your content via the visual editor. Or, if you are good at HTML, you can use the text editor for working with content by tags.
3. Numerous Free Themes and Plugins
Themes are used for a stylish and beautiful look of the website. Plugins give you necessary and useful features for your needs. And if we talk about WordPress, it is the winner here among the other CMSs. A large number of WordPress themes and plugins are free and allow your website to look attractive, even if you don’t use the custom solutions. There are many responsive themes among them, so you can pick the one, which is suitable for your business goals.
4. SEO Friendliness
A real advantage of WordPress is that Google likes it. Google indexes web pages made on WordPress better than the others. It is related to the fact that the structure of content created with WordPress is SEO-friendly. So it influences the website position in Google search results.
WordPress has different SEO plugins that can help you to promote your website in Search Engines. Here is one of the best:
This is the most downloaded WordPress plugin. It allows you to optimize your website for Search Engines by all required criteria.
5. High Speed of Web-Development Process
And finally, the fact that WordPress is chosen by 25% of users makes it the most popular CMS in the world. It’s all because of the reasons, which we have already discussed. Web development on WordPress is high-speed. If you want to order the web development, you’ll get your new website relatively quickly.
WordPress is created for handy website management. And the large community of web developers works on its improvement every day. There you can find the answers to most questions related to this CMS. And our WEB4PRO team can realize any project on WordPress you need. So, if you are ready to try WordPress advantages, just do it. This process can be very engrossing.
Wish you inspiration for your new successful project!
Women’s Day at WEB4PRO
Congratulations to women all over the world on the beautiful holiday of Women’s Day! Spring already comes to our life. Everything starts to wake up and blossom. We enjoy the moment and already feel all colors of spring. The 8th of March in WEB4PRO is an exception day for girls. So our guys did everything possible to cheer up their mood and make them smile.
Our happy Women’s Day
The first thing girls saw when came to work were beautiful butterflies, flowers around the office, and funny photos with wishes. Guys met them with fresh tulips and big smiles. Isn’t it wonderful?
During the day, our ladies got so many pleasant surprises that only photos can catch this spirit and show their happiness. Colorful balloons and greetings brightened their day.
And here is a long-awaited moment. What do you think about the best present for our beautiful young women? It’s a rest together. They got a gift certificate to SPA!
It was a wonderful day thanks to our men. Everybody was happy. We had the great Women’s Day. It was a joyful holiday. Now we are sure that spring has already come to our hearts.
We would like to wish every young girl and woman, mother and daughter, business lady and a landlady to be a day dreamer and just stay happy! Let all your dream come true! Happy Women’s Day!
With spring in hearts, WEB4PRO team
Valentine’s Day at WEB4PRO
A short while ago WEB4PRO celebrated St. Valentine’s Day, and this is for a reason. We believe that any job gives better results if we do it with love. We love our work, we love our company, we love our clients. And it is a good reason for sharing emotions and a great mood at our office.
Our Valentine’s Day
Everyone was in a great mood that day, and we decorated our office with beautiful hearts, the symbols of real love.
As the Valentines Day is a day of love, a friendly party took place in WEB4PRO. We raised glasses of champagne for everything wonderful in the World, got our sweet presents and then saw interesting short movies about love.
Among the friends and with popcorn, such pastime was just amazing and will stay in our memory for long.
We wish you an endless love to your friends, job, parents, relatives, family, Motherland and the whole World. Love everything you do and always be loved. Let peace come into your heart and make the World better!
With love in hearts, WEB4PRO team
Drupal vs WordPress: What is Better?
WordPress is a powerful CMS, perfect for blogging and informational websites. It can also cope with different Ecommerce solutions. What about Drupal? Is it good enough? Of course! With Drupal, you can do the same things.
So, how to decide which CMS is better? It depends on our needs, and today we are here to understand which of these platforms suits us more. Let’s kick off!
Easiness In Use
WordPress
If you are not a web developer and want to create a website very quickly, WordPress is waiting for you. It doesn’t require many efforts to install the system and begin working. WordPress also has a huge community and does updates every 3-4 months. You can add the content with several clicks and manage it very simply by using WYSIWYG editor.
Drupal
It is a complicated system but has more feature. They are useful if you know how to use them. Drupal is better for those who have some experience in web development and wants to get a complex solution.
Features and Customization
If you need something unique and want to customize your website, the best way to do it via themes and plugins.
WordPress
This CMS wins in competition and has a large number of free beautiful themes and more than 43000 useful plugins. A huge community of web developers takes care of flexibility of this CMS and create many plugins for broadening its functionality. Using WordPress premium themes, you can set up your website according to your goals and wishes, and it will be high customized.
Drupal
As for Drupal, it’s a flexible CMS that offers many free modules with different features. The number of available themes is limited that’s why in most cases you should recourse to the designer’s help to make your website look great.
If we talk about customization, everything is possible in both cases, and an experienced team of web developers will cope with this task.
Possible Solutions
Both of these CMS allow creating different websites, but here is one small catch: the issue is in the size of your solution and business needs.
WordPress
Perfect for blogs, portfolio, informational and some kinds of representing websites. Originally this CMS was created for posting information and now has a huge amount of different features for blogging. It also allows making an Ecommerce solution, using WooCommerce plugin.
Drupal
If you need something more complicated, it will be more helpful. Drupal has much more functionality for developing complex solutions that require a lot of content and complicated functions, for example, corporate websites, social networks, forums, where users have the opportunity to add multimedia. Drupal Commerce module also allows creating online shops.
Security
Drupal
It is a winner here. It is an enterprise-level security. Even governments use Drupal.
WordPress
A lot of WordPress plugins have vulnerabilities and can be easily hacked if the website owner doesn’t update the plugin version. This CMS is popular, easy to use but sometimes easy to hack. That’s why, if you use WordPress, it’s better to follow plugin updates and take into consideration the hacking attacks.
Who Uses?
If you want to know, who uses Drupal or WordPress, the answer is here:
39% of world websites work on WordPress;
9% website owners use Drupal.
As you see, WordPress is more popular because of its simplicity and popularity of blogging. Drupal is a complicated system, stable, secure and very flexible, used by many enterprises, business owners. It’s perfect for difficult projects.
So Drupal or WordPress?
Finally, are you ready to name the winner? I’ll let you make your own choice. If you want to get a simple solution, and you are a newcomer in website management, WordPress will help you to get a good and easy to use application. If your need something more complicated and you want more functionality, security and complexity, choose Drupal.
Whether you prefer Drupal or WordPress, in both cases you can get a qualitative result with an opportunity to customize your website, create an online shop and other useful things. If you need some help on this issue, our professional team of web developers will cope with these tasks on the highest level.
Wish you successful projects and creative ideas!
Meet New Year 2016 with our WEB4PRO team!
Hi, everybody! December 30th of the last year, WEB4PRO team celebrated the most wonderful winter holiday. We were waiting for the New Year and spent this happy time together.Are you ready to see our awesome New Year’s party and have fun with us? Let’s get started!
Our WEB4PRO Party
Any good party begins with the feast and congratulations. And we were doing it with great pleasure in our friendly company.
First of all, we would like to wish you joyful moments and lots of fun in this New Year!
And as a tightly welded team of web developers, we were glad to draw round the festive board and thank one another for the interesting working time of this year.
So, we wish you to be in a reliable team and always have a real support in your ideas and plans!
Congratulations for WEB4PRO
Our CEO Marat and CTO Alexander congratulated all of us with the best and kindest wishes. We got a great motivation to move forward and develop ourselves.
While our team wishes you a great success in business, new victories and joyful moments of triumph!
As good friends, we were talking and enjoying the moment.
We raise glasses of Champagne for you and wish you a real friendship and reliable support!
Funny moments at WEB4PRO party
We are a team, so, we took part in different funny competitions together, laughed at each other heartily…
…because it was a real show and it was great!
Therefore we wish you always to have a reason for a smile and unbridled joy! Laughter makes us live longer!
And of course, we made many funny photos that make us smile every time we view them.
Wish you constant self-development, creative people around you and interest to everything new.
And, finally, we were dancing and dancing. No comments.
In addition, we wish you to be surrounded only by good people and also stay who you are.
Thank you for staying with WEB4PRO
And now we would like to congratulate you with the great beginning of the year! We raise glasses for you by all our WEB4PRO family!
Finally, we wish you great health, wonderful moments, love and success! Let this winter bring joy and wonders into your life and make you happy! Thank you for staying with us!
