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Configuring Perfmatters for WordPress Optimization

Perfmatters is a powerful WordPress optimization plugin that helps improve your site's performance by disabling unnecessary features and optimizing various aspects of WordPress. This guide will walk you through installing and configuring Perfmatters with optimal settings for WordPress.

Step 1: Install Perfmatters​

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Go to Plugins → Add New.
  3. Search for "Perfmatters".
  4. Click Install Now, then Activate.

Install Perfmatters

Step 2: Configure General Settings​

Navigate to Settings → Perfmatters and configure the following settings in the General tab:

WordPress Features to Disable​

  • Disable Emojis: ON
    • Removes WordPress emoji scripts and styles
  • Disable Dashicons: ON
    • Removes WordPress admin icons for non-admin users
  • Disable Embeds: ON
    • Removes WordPress embed functionality
  • Disable XML-RPC: ON
    • Disables XML-RPC for security
  • Remove jQuery Migrate: OFF
    • Keep jQuery Migrate for compatibility
  • Hide WP Version: ON
    • Removes WordPress version from various locations
  • Remove RSD Link: ON
    • Removes Really Simple Discovery link
  • Remove Shortlink: ON
    • Removes shortlink meta tag
  • Disable RSS Feeds: OFF
    • Keep RSS feeds enabled
  • Remove RSS Feed Links: OFF
    • Keep RSS feed links
  • Disable Self Pingbacks: ON
    • Prevents WordPress from sending pingbacks to your own site
  • Disable REST API: Disable for Non-Admins
    • Restricts REST API access to administrators only
  • Remove REST API Links: ON
    • Removes REST API links from the header
  • Disable Google Maps: OFF
    • Keep Google Maps functionality
  • Disable Password Strength Meter: OFF
    • Keep password strength meter
  • Disable Comments: OFF
    • Keep comments functionality
  • Remove Comment URLs: ON
    • Removes comment author URLs
  • Add Blank Favicon: OFF
    • Don't add a blank favicon
  • Remove Global Styles: OFF
    • Keep global styles
  • Separate Block Styles: ON
    • Separates block styles for better performance

WordPress Heartbeat and Autosave Settings​

  • Disable Heartbeat: Default
  • Heartbeat Frequency: 15 Seconds (Default)
  • Limit Post Revisions: Default
  • Autosave Interval: 1 Minute (Default)

Perfmatters General Settings

Step 3: Configure JavaScript Settings​

In the JavaScript tab:

  • Defer JavaScript: ON
    • Defers JavaScript loading for better performance
  • Include Inline Scripts: ON
    • Includes inline scripts in defer
  • Delay JavaScript: ON
    • Delays JavaScript execution
  • Delay Behavior: Only Delay Specified Scripts (Default)
    • Delays only specified scripts
  • Delay Timeout: ON
    • Enables timeout for delayed scripts
  • Minify JavaScript: ON
    • Minifies JavaScript files

Perfmatters JavaScript Settings

Step 4: Configure CSS Settings​

In the CSS tab:

  • Remove Unused CSS: ON
    • Removes unused CSS from your site
  • Used CSS Method: Inline (Default)
    • Inlines critical CSS
  • Stylesheet Behavior: Delay (Default)
    • Delays non-critical CSS
  • Minify CSS: ON
    • Minifies CSS files

Perfmatters CSS Settings

Step 5: Configure Preloading Settings​

In the Preloading tab:

  • Enable Instant Page: ON
    • Enables instant page loading
  • Preload Critical Images: 0 (Default)
    • No preloading of critical images

Perfmatters Preloading Settings

Step 6: Configure Lazy Loading Settings​

In the Lazy Loading tab:

  • Images: OFF
    • Disabled because we handle it with ShortPixel
  • iFrames and Videos: OFF
    • Disabled because we handle it with ShortPixel
  • DOM Monitoring: OFF
    • Disabled because we handle it with ShortPixel
  • Add Missing Image Dimensions: ON
    • Adds missing image dimensions to prevent CLS
  • Fade In: OFF
    • Disabled fade-in effect
  • CSS Background Images: OFF
    • Disabled for CSS background images
  • Elements: OFF
    • Disabled for custom elements

Perfmatters Lazy Loading Settings

Step 7: Configure Font Settings​

In the Fonts tab:

  • Local Google Fonts: OFF
    • Don't localize Google Fonts
  • Display Swap: ON
    • Enables font display swap
  • Disable Google Fonts: OFF
    • Keep Google Fonts enabled

Perfmatters Font Settings

Step 8: Configure CDN Settings​

In the CDN tab:

  • Enable CDN Rewrite: OFF
    • Don't rewrite URLs to CDN

Perfmatters CDN Settings

Step 9: Configure Google Analytics Settings​

In the Google Analytics tab:

  • Enable Local Analytics: OFF
    • Don't localize Google Analytics
  • Tracking Code Position: Header (Default)
    • Place tracking code in header
  • Script Type: Google Analytics 4 (Default)
    • Use GA4 tracking code
  • Track Logged In Admins: OFF
    • Don't track admin users
  • Use MonsterInsights: OFF
    • Don't use MonsterInsights
  • Enable AMP Support: OFF
    • Don't enable AMP support

Perfmatters Google Analytics Settings

Step 10: Configure Tools Settings​

In the Tools tab:

  • Script Manager: OFF
    • Don't enable script manager
  • Show Advanced Options: ON
    • Show advanced configuration options
  • Disable for Logged In Users: ON
    • Disable optimizations for logged-in users
  • Hide Admin Bar Menu: OFF
    • Keep admin bar menu visible
  • Accessibility Mode: un-checked
    • Don't enable accessibility mode

Perfmatters Tools Settings

Conclusion​

With Perfmatters properly configured, your WordPress site will be more efficient and perform better. These settings:

  • Remove unnecessary WordPress features
  • Optimize JavaScript and CSS loading
  • Improve page load times
  • Reduce server load
  • Enhance security

Remember to test your site after applying these settings to ensure everything works as expected. If you encounter any issues, you can easily revert specific settings in the Perfmatters dashboard.