Make WordPress Fast
The Complete Blueprint for Blazing-Fast WordPress Sites
A full-stack WordPress performance and optimization course for WordPress professionals and agencies who want faster sites, better scores, and fewer headaches.
Hi, I’m Remkus de Vries, a WordPress Performance Specialist, WP Consultant, and Educator for over 20 years. See what others have to say.
- 25-module, full-stack performance curriculum
- The most up-to-date tactics available in 2025
- Works with ANY builder or theme – beat the bloat
- Works on ANY stack – no hosting or plugins pitches
- Real-world demos with DevTools, Query Monitor
- Support for one year
- Agency license available
- Performance proposal add-on template
- Video and text assets for all videos
- Transcripts for accessibility, searching, and summarization
- Certificate of completion to showcase your expertise
- Perfect for WordPress Agencies, WordPress Professionals & Pagebuilder specialists
★★★★★
Remkus has a deep and thorough understanding of everything WordPress – from the core to the most cutting-edge developments in the ecosystem.
Rosanne van Staalduinen
★★★★★
Remkus was thorough, detail-oriented, and results driven. I truly understood my next steps. Highly recommended!
Corey Maass
In this course, you will learn
Spot performance issues across the full stack
From DNS to WordPress to DevTools, you’ll learn to trace slowdowns across every layer — infrastructure, runtime, frontend, and beyond — with a systems-level understanding that sets you apart.
Build WordPress sites with performance at the core
Learn how to make performance part of your build process, not a post-launch repair with a caching plugin. From architecture to caching, you’ll create fast sites by design.
Deliver measurable speed gains that last
Master the debugging, caching, and optimization strategies used by top professionals, and confidently ship WordPress builds that pass Core Web Vitals and wow your clients.
→ Who Is This Course For?
For WordPress Professionals
Master every layer of site performance, from DNS to DevTools, and confidently deliver faster, more scalable WordPress builds.
This course gives you the skills to diagnose, fix, and prevent slowdowns like a pro.
For WordPress Agencies
Stand out by making performance a competitive advantage.
Equip your team to launch faster sites, impress clients with Core Web Vitals, and reduce post-launch firefighting with proven full-stack strategies.
For WooCommerce Builders
Stop fighting slow product pages and cart bottlenecks.
Learn how to optimize high-traffic stores for speed and reliability — from server-level caching to scalable object storage and checkout optimization.
For Technical SEOs
Performance is SEO. Go beyond audits and actually fix what’s slowing down rankings, including TTFB, CLS, LCP, and third-party scripts, with hands-on tactics you can control.
For Page Builder Specialists
Make even heavy layouts fly. Discover how to work with builders like Elementor or Bricks without sacrificing speed and how to make smart tooling and hosting choices that support your stack.
For You
Whether you’re a freelancer, site owner, or just sick of slow sites, this course shows you how to make WordPress fast — without the guesswork.
Learn what actually matters, why your site is slow, and how to fix it for good.
Explore 25 Modules
Caching doesn’t solve all your performance problems. Focus on what moves the needle instead.
Let’s take a look at the modules of the course, and see how we’re covering every single layer that ties into the real performance of your WordPress site.
Module 1: Performance Foundations
Understand how visitors experience a WordPress site from request to render
Performance beyond speed: perceived performance, interactivity, and layout stability
Learn to identify real bottlenecks using UX-focused metrics, not just synthetic scores
Map the full-stack performance layers you’ll optimize throughout the course
Shift from fixing speed to building performance into every layer of your stack
Module 2: DNS & Domain Optimization
Configure DNS for speed and resilience using modern providers
Understand TTL, edge caching behavior, and propagation timelines
Use preconnect and DNS prefetch to accelerate third-party resources
Module 3: TLS, SSL & HTTP Optimization
Tune TLS settings for faster handshakes and stronger security
Understand the role of HTTP versions (1.1, 2, 3) in performance
Benchmark and improve certificate loading and reuse
Module 4: CDN & Edge Delivery
Implement a CDN for global edge caching
Use cache rules to avoid serving outdated or uncacheable HTML
Optimize cache hit ratio for your CDN Edge caching
Module 5: Web Server & Hosting Layer
What does good WordPress Hosting look like
Hosting features vs. hosting fixes
Scaling WordPress the easy way
Module 6: WordPress Runtime Optimization
WordPress loading sequence
Optimize internal caching layers like Object Cache and Transients
What is bloat in WordPress
Common hooks that affect performance (init, template_redirect, etc.)
Hook profiling with Debug Bar Actions or Query Monitor
Module 7: Database Performance
Configure indexes, query caching, and table engines
To autoload or not to autoload
Identify slow queries with Query Monitor
Database optimization with plugins
Module 8: Object Caching
Understand persistent vs. transient object caching
Use monitoring tools to verify object cache hit rates
Object Caching solutions for WordPress and when to use them
Module 9: Full-Page Caching
Configure full-page caching at server, CDN, and plugin levels
Avoid cache-busting with cookies and query strings
Plugins vs. Hosting
Module 10: Core Web Vitals (Concepts & Measurement)
Understand what Core Web Vitals are (LCP, INP, CLS) and why they matter
Learn how CWV metrics correlate with real user experience and business outcomes
Explore how CWV evolved, and what problems it’s designed to surface
Get familiar with tools to monitor CWV at scale (RUM, Search Console, etc.)
Why the entire course affects CWV — and how to think beyond these metrics
Module 11: Frontend Rendering & Page Experience
Learn how to reduce render time through lean HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Identify and remove unused template parts and DOM elements
Optimize paint timing and layout stability with clean, semantic markup
Explore the impact of themes, templates, and partials on Core Web Vitals
Module 12: Image Optimization
Use modern formats (WebP/AVIF) for lighter images
Automate compression and delivery with tools like NitroPack or Cloudflare
Implement responsive images with srcset and sizes
Module 13: Font & Third-Party Optimization
Self-host and preload fonts for faster paint
Audit and reduce third-party script impact
Use font-display: swap to improve perceived load time
Module 14: Plugin Impact & Alternatives
Measure the performance cost of plugins
Identify overlapping or redundant plugins
Evaluate plugin code quality and security
Explore alternatives: custom code vs. lightweight solutions
Plan a plugin reduction or replacement strategy
Module 15: WordPress Core Configuration
Tune default settings like heartbeat API, revisions, autosave, and cron jobs
Decide when to strip unnecessary metadata, feeds, emojis, and discovery links
Harden wp-config.php for more stable and performant operation
Uncover which default WordPress behaviors slow things down
Module 16: Browser DevTools & Frontend Profiling
Use the Network and Performance tabs in DevTools to spot frontend bottlenecks
Profile layout shifts, long tasks, scripting delays, and paint timing
Identify render-blocking resources and unused code on real page loads
Understand how users actually experience your site’s frontend performance
Module 17: Debugging Tools & Deep Analysis
Understand how WordPress loads, step-by-step
Cache Invalidation & Hidden Performance Killers
Use Query Monitor or Laps, and New Relic for backend insight
Profile slow database queries, hooks, and REST endpoints
Module 18: API, Cookie & Header Hygiene
Identify and remove unnecessary API calls
Debug cookie issues that prevent caching
Optimize response headers for performance
REST API optimization
Module 19: Scaling with Transients API
Understand the Transients API and object cache usage
Storing complex queries or third-party API responses
Pitfalls: expired transients still in DB, autoloaded transients
Module 20: Performance Tools & Plugins
Compare popular optimization tools and plugins
Why Edge Caching always wins
Choose the right tools based on your stack and goals
Know when not to use a plugin — and when to reach for server/CDN solutions
Module 21: Monitoring, Testing & Reporting Tools
Track performance metrics with Lighthouse, Scanfully, RUM, and synthetic tools
Automate performance tracking over time
Learn how to report results to clients or stakeholders in meaningful ways
Understand what’s worth monitoring — and what noise to ignore
Module 22: Debugging WordPress Performance Issues
Trace backend issues with Query Monitor
Use the Network and Performance tabs to analyze bottlenecks
Profile layout shifts, long tasks, and scripting issues
Learn how to diagnose render-blocking resources
Module 23: Background Jobs, Cron & Async Performance
WP-Cron vs. real server cron
WooCommerce Action Scheduler optimization
How scheduled actions work in WordPress
Module 24: Page Builders, DOM Bloat & Visual Editors
DOM complexity and depth from page builders (Elementor, Divi, WPBakery)
Font loading and duplicated scripts
Inline CSS, JavaScript injection, and render-blocking assets
Page builder extensions, smart or stay away
Module 25: Multisite & Network Performance Optimization
Reducing switch_to_blog() overhead
wp_blogs, wp_sitemeta, and global table bloat
Strategies to scale WordPress across multiple sites in a single installation
What You Should Know First
Prerequisites
To get the most out of this course, you should:
Know what caching is (at a high level): You don’t need deep knowledge yet as we’ll cover it in depth, but you should know that caching exists and why it matters.
Be comfortable with WordPress fundamentals: You should understand how themes, plugins, and the WordPress admin interface work. Experience building or managing WordPress sites is expected.
Have basic technical proficiency: You don’t need to be a backend engineer, but you should be familiar with where WordPress lives on a server.
Understand basic front-end concepts: familiarity with HTML, CSS, JavaScript.
Optional: how browsers render pages will help when tackling client-side performance.
Real performance wins. Real business impact.
Whether you’re shipping faster builds or solving complex issues, this course gives you the expertise to stand out, and charge what you’re worth.
Diagnose and fix real client performance issues — fast
Learn how to go beyond vague “slow site” complaints and pinpoint real bottlenecks using DevTools, Query Monitor, and Cloudflare analytics. Become the expert clients turn to when performance matters.
Build performance into every project from day one
Stop retrofitting speed. Start making it a foundation. With this course, you’ll confidently build WordPress sites that are fast by design — from DNS to DevTools, caching to concurrency.
Offer premium performance as a service
Turn your skills into new revenue by packaging audits, speed fixes, and high-performance builds into irresistible offers. Impress clients, justify higher retainers, and win more technical projects.
Make WordPress Fast now
The difference between average WordPress builds and exceptional ones starts here.
Stop piecing together fixes from random tutorials. This course gives you the full system — every layer, every tool, every insight — so you can build faster WordPress sites with confidence and clarity.
Whether you’re solving tough client issues or building high-performance sites from scratch, this is the edge you’ve been missing.
Choose the license that fits your workflow — solo or team
Single License
$279
prelaunch price, one time
Perfect for freelancers, solo developers, site owners.
Get this course now for $279 instead of $339, and never guess about performance again
- 25-module, full-stack performance curriculum
- The most up-to-date tactics available in 2025
- Works with ANY builder or theme – beat the bloat
- Works on ANY stack: no hosting or plugins pitches
- Real-world demos with DevTools, Query Monitor
- Support for one year
- Agency license available
- Performance proposal add-on template
- Video and text assets for all videos
- Transcripts for accessibility, searching, and summarization
- Certificate of completion to showcase your expertise
100% Course completeness guarantee
Agency-Use License
Best Value
$1399
prelaunch price, one time
Built for teams solving client problems at scale.
Get this course now for $1399 instead of $1629, and never guess about performance again
- Team access (unlimited number of licenses)
- 1:1 Agency onboarding session
- Priority support for one year
- Performance lead onboarding doc
- 25-module, full-stack performance curriculum
- The most up-to-date tactics available in 2025
- Works with ANY builder or theme – beat the bloat
- Works on ANY stack – no hosting or plugins pitches
- Real-world demos with DevTools, Query Monitor
- Support for one year
- Agency license available
- Performance proposal add-on template
- Video and text assets for all videos
- Transcripts for accessibility, searching, and summarization
- Certificate of completion to showcase your expertise
100% Course completeness guarantee
Frequently asked questions
Do you have any questions? Check the FAQs below — or reach out, and we’ll help you get the clarity you need.
Our most common FAQs
When will the Make WordPress Fast course be launched?
The Make WordPress Fast course will be launched in November of 2025. Buy the pre-launch and save big time! You’ll automatically get access when the course is released on the release date.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for WordPress professionals, developers, and agencies who want to build faster, more scalable sites, and understand performance at every layer, from the DNS layer, through WordPress, all the way to the DevTools in your browser.
I’m afraid this might be too technical for me?
Not at all. While the course covers technical topics in depth, every concept is explained clearly, step by step, and with real-world examples. Whether you’re a beginner or just new to performance, you’ll learn what each layer does, why it matters, and how to apply it, without getting lost in jargon. If you’re comfortable working with WordPress, you’ll be right at home here.
Will this help with WooCommerce or client sites?
Yes, several modules specifically address WooCommerce and high-traffic client setups. You’ll learn how to handle real-world performance challenges agencies face daily.
Is this course up to date with modern WordPress and Core Web Vitals?
Absolutely. It’s built to align with the latest versions of WordPress, and performance metrics like LCP, FID, and CLS are covered in depth.
Will this work for my specific stack or hosting setup?
The course covers both managed hosting and self-hosted environments (e.g., GridPane, RunCloud), with practical guidance for most setups. You’ll learn how to adapt performance best practices to any stack.
Will this course help me tune and make my server faster?
This course is designed to help you understand all the layers that go into building the fastest WordPress site possible. Finetuning your server falls out of scope for that as it is my philosophy that your webhost should provide you with the best server setup. Not you forever finetuning a server. Whichever way you put that, that’s the job of a DevOps engineer.
Does this course cover Cloudflare, caching plugins, and real tools?
Yes, you’ll learn when and how to use tools like NitroPack, WP Rocket, APO, Perfmatters, Query Monitor, Scanfully, Redis, and more.
What does “100% Course completeness guarantee” mean?
This guarantee means that every single thing, every single component, and every single layer that has an impact on the performance of your site will be covered in this course.
Support for one year, what does this mean?
When you buy Make WordPress Fast, you’ll always have access to the entire course and 1 year of direct support from me. That means you can revisit the material anytime, and for a full year, you can reach out with questions, get clarification on tough topics, and apply the lessons with expert guidance if you get stuck.
Meet Remkus, the man behind the course
Hi, I’m Remkus de Vries, and I run Within WordPress.
I’m a seasoned WordPress veteran with more than 20 years of performance and security expertise, dedicated to building, refining, and sharing methods, best-practices, and tools that keep WordPress sites fast, secure, and reliable
Over the years, I’ve helped agencies, developers, and businesses untangle performance bottlenecks, scale high-traffic WordPress sites, and make infrastructure decisions that actually stick.
This course distills everything I’ve learned, the hard way and the smart way, into one clear, no-nonsense blueprint for making WordPress fast, reliably and repeatedly.
Remkus de Vries is a WordPress Performance Specialist, WordPress Consultant and Educator for almost 20 years.
Start learning how to Make WordPress Fast today!
What are you waiting for?
If you care about building WordPress sites that are fast, scalable, and built the right way, this is the course you’ve been looking for. Skip the scattered tutorials and vague advice.
Learn performance from someone who’s been in the trenches for two decades, and walk away with a proven, full-stack process you can use on every project.
Let’s make WordPress fast. For real.
- 25-module, full-stack performance curriculum
- The most up-to-date tactics available in 2025
- Works with ANY builder or theme – beat the bloat
- Works on ANY stack: no hosting or plugins pitches
- Real-world demos with DevTools, Query Monitor
100% completeness guarantee