Optimize WordPress delivery
Autoptimize Pro is a premium Power-Up for WordPress performance work. It adds page caching, image optimization, CDN support, automatic critical CSS rules, and extra booster options to the optimization capabilities of Autoptimize. These features are brought together in one subscription for sites where page delivery and front-end efficiency are important.
The underlying Autoptimize workflow can aggregate, minify, and cache scripts and styles. It can place CSS in the page head, inline critical CSS, and defer the aggregated full CSS. JavaScript can be moved and deferred to the footer, while HTML can be minified. The plugin can also optimize and lazy-load images, with support for WebP and AVIF formats, optimize Google Fonts, process asynchronous non-aggregated JavaScript, and remove WordPress core emoji code.
Paid performance capabilities
- Page caching: add page caching to the asset optimization workflow.
- Image optimization: optimize images and lazy-load them, including support for WebP and AVIF.
- CDN support: include a content delivery network option in the performance setup.
- Automatic critical CSS: use automatic critical CSS rules to support non-render-blocking delivery.
- Booster options: apply additional performance-oriented options beyond the core settings.
CSS and JavaScript can be aggregated and minified, although the most suitable configuration depends on the site. With aggregation enabled, styles are moved to the page head and scripts to the footer. Alternatively, aggregation can be disabled while minification remains enabled. The source recommends configuring, testing, reconfiguring, and retesting to determine what works in a particular context.
Useful site workflows
Autoptimize Pro can be used for WordPress sites that need a combined approach to page caching, front-end asset handling, image delivery, and critical CSS. A site owner can use its image features for media-heavy pages, CDN support for content delivery, and automatic critical CSS rules alongside script and style optimization.
It can also complement other page caching plugins, although the source specifically presents page caching as part of Autoptimize Pro. HTTP/2 does not automatically remove every reason to evaluate asset optimization: minification, aggregation, or a combination of settings may still make sense depending on the site and its configuration.
Configuration and troubleshooting
Begin by reviewing the main settings page and selecting the optimization features appropriate to the site. Test the resulting pages after changing aggregation, deferral, critical CSS, image, or font settings. If a page behaves unexpectedly, adjust the configuration and test again, since the source emphasizes that performance settings should be tailored to each context.
An extensive API is available for further customization. Help is available through the WordPress.org support forum, while confirmed code bugs can be reported on GitHub. Premium support and web performance optimization services are also offered for Autoptimize Pro.
Removing the plugin
To remove Autoptimize, first disable the plugin, then remove it and clear any remaining cache that may contain pages referencing optimized CSS or JavaScript, including cache from another page caching plugin.
