High Performance Mobile Web

Chapter 10. Extreme Mobile Web Performance

In previous chapters, we have explored several techniques that can be used to improve the performance and perception of our mobile websites. In this chapter, we will talk about how to mix these techniques and add some other ideas to achieve extreme performance with probably more effort and more architectural changes than with the classic techniques we’ve seen so far.

To achieve extreme web performance, we first must implement some of the techniques we’ve covered in previous chapters, such as:

• No HTTP redirects—not even one

• No app banners

• Gzipped response

• No sync <script> tags

• Reduced usage of data URIs

• Reduced usage of web fonts

Some approaches—such as using responsive web design without any server-side techniques—might be harmful to achieving extreme performance on mobile devices, as we covered in Chapter 9. This is not written in stone, and there are some situations where RWD won’t harm extreme performance for mobile websites and apps, but as a general rule, it holds.

Mobile Web Alternatives

Because mobile web performance is so important and it is hurting conversion rates, Google and Facebook have been looking into alternatives to the typical mobile web that will help them get more users engaged with content—which, in other ways, will let them make more money.

Facebook has come up with Facebook Instant Articles and Google—with support from other vendors, such as Twitter and LinkedIn—has started the Accelerated Mobile ...