Most websites are bloated beyond reason, but fixing performance doesn’t require a complete rewrite. Start with images—compress them, use modern formats like WebP, and implement lazy loading. This alone can cut page weight by 60-70%. Next, audit your JavaScript bundles. That date picker library adding 200KB might not be worth the convenience.

Critical CSS inlining and deferring non-essential scripts make pages feel instant even before everything loads. Use browser caching headers appropriately and leverage CDNs for static assets. Performance isn’t just about speed—it’s about respect for users on slow connections and mobile data plans. Google’s PageSpeed Insights gives you a prioritized list of fixes. Tackle the top three issues and you’ll see dramatic improvements without touching your application logic.