Backend Speed Optimization — Make your WordPress admin & server fast again
Is your site slow in the admin, during imports, or while generating pages server-side? Front-end tweaks (lazy-loading, CSS minification, CDN rules) look nice — but when the bottleneck is the backend, they barely move the needle. I specialise in backend performance: I remove unnecessary database queries, optimise slow requests, and restructure server-side logic so your site behaves responsively under real load.
Real backend work → real results.
What I do
I focus exclusively on the server-side bottlenecks that cause slow dashboards, long page generation times, and poor scalability. My service includes:
- Plugin Analysis: deep inspection of all active plugins to identify which ones are causing slow queries, heavy hooks, or unnecessary backend load.
- Backend selective loading: I configure plugins to load only where they are actually needed in the backend, preventing them from running expensive queries or logic on every admin page.
- Query analysis: find slow, duplicate and unnecessary queries (WP_Query, direct SQL, meta queries).
- AJAX/REST optimisation: speed up admin-ajax and REST endpoints used by your theme/plugins.
- Safe deployment: changes applied as plugins or mu-plugins with rollback steps and staging verification.
Why backend optimisation is usually the most effective fix
Many public guides focus on front-end tricks because they are visible and easy to explain. Those techniques help when the bottleneck is asset delivery, but they don’t solve slow database queries, heavy admin requests, or poorly designed server-side logic. When the backend is the problem, the only reliable fix is to analyse and improve how the server queries and processes data.
In short: front-end optimizations can’t be applied to backend optimization, and there aren’t many experts who can truly optimize the backend..
Deliverables you will receive
- Baseline and post-optimisation performance report.
- A deployable plugin containing all changes.
- Rollback steps and test checklist.
- Optional monthly or quarterly maintenance / monitoring package.
Typical results
Every site is different, but common outcomes include:
- Significantly faster admin pages (orders, posts, lists) — often 2–10× improvements for slow queries.
- Reduced server CPU and memory usage.
- Shorter page generation times for dynamic pages that rely on heavy queries.
- Improved scalability under concurrent user load.
How pricing works
I offer flexible engagement models:
- Fixed-price audit & patch — one-off audit with a fixed list of prioritized fixes and delivery.
- Hourly support — for custom or ongoing work charged by the hour with transparent timesheets.
- Retainer & monitoring — monthly slots for continuous optimisation and preventive maintenance.
Contact me for a quick discovery so I can propose the right model and an accurate estimate.
FAQ
- Do you need direct access to the production database?
- I prefer working on a staging copy. If staged access isn’t available, I use short, scheduled maintenance windows and careful, reversible steps to minimise risk.
- Can you work with plugins and themes I didn’t write?
- Yes. I identify and optimise or isolate the problematic code, whether it’s a third-party plugin, theme, or custom code.
- How long does a typical engagement take?
- Small audits can be completed in a day; medium projects usually take a few days to a couple of weeks depending on complexity. I’ll provide a timeline after the discovery phase.
Interested in backend speed optimization?
Book a free discovery call or send a short message describing the issues. I’ll review and propose the next steps.