How to fix: Pages use too many JavaScript and CSS files

Semrush site audit tips too many CSS files too many JavaScript files

Issue: Using more than 100 JavaScript and CSS files on a page slows it down because each file requires a separate HTTP request, leading to longer load times, poor user experience, and lower search rankings.

Fix: Remove unnecessary JavaScript and CSS files, and combine essential ones to reduce the number of HTTP requests.

How to Fix for Beginners

  1. Identify Excessive Files: Use browser developer tools or an SEO tool to check how many JavaScript and CSS files your pages load.
    • Example: Your page loads 120 files, but many are unused or redundant.
  2. Remove Unnecessary Files: Look for scripts or styles that aren’t critical to your page and delete them.
    • Example: Unused animation libraries or outdated CSS files.
  3. Combine Files: Merge multiple CSS files into one and multiple JavaScript files into one where possible.
    • Example: Combine styles1.css, styles2.css, and styles3.css into a single styles.css file.
  4. Minify Files: Compress your combined JavaScript and CSS files to reduce file size.
    • Example: Use tools like UglifyJS or CSSNano to remove unnecessary characters from the code.
  5. Implement Asynchronous Loading: Load JavaScript files asynchronously or defer their execution to prioritize visible content.
    • Example: Add the async or defer attribute to your <script> tags.
  6. Test Page Speed: After cleanup, use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your page’s performance and ensure improvements.

Tip: Fewer, optimized JavaScript and CSS files enhance page load speed, user experience, and SEO rankings.

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