Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the world, and it has made it easy for anyone to start their own online store. However, as your store grows, you may notice that the size of your DOM (Document Object Model) is increasing, which can lead to performance issues and a negative impact on your site’s SEO. In this article, we will discuss how to avoid an excessive DOM size in Shopify, so your store can load quickly and efficiently.
What is a DOM?
Before we dive into how to avoid an excessive DOM size in Shopify, let’s define what a DOM is. A DOM is a tree-like structure that represents the HTML and CSS of a web page. When a web page loads, the browser parses the HTML and CSS and creates a DOM tree, which is used to render the page.
The DOM is important because it allows developers to manipulate the structure and content of a web page using JavaScript. However, a large DOM can lead to performance issues, especially on mobile devices and slower internet connections.
What is an excessive DOM size?
An excessive DOM size refers to a web page that has a large number of elements in its DOM tree. This can lead to slow page load times, which can negatively impact user experience and SEO.
In Shopify, the DOM size can increase due to various factors, such as:
- Large images
- Multiple apps and scripts
- Custom code and third-party integrations
- Product options and variants
- Nested and repetitive HTML structures
Now that we know what an excessive DOM size is and what causes it let’s look at some ways to avoid it in Shopify.
How to avoid an excessive DOM size
Optimize images
Images are an essential part of any e-commerce store, but they can also be a significant contributor to a large DOM size. To optimize images in Shopify, you can:
Compress images using an app or online tool
Large image files can significantly slow down your page load time. To reduce the file size of your images, you can use an image compression app or an online tool. There are many options available, such as TinyPNG and Kraken.io, that can help you compress your images without sacrificing quality.
Use next-generation image formats, such as WebP
Next-generation image formats, such as WebP, offer better compression than traditional image formats like JPEG and PNG. Using WebP can help reduce the file size of your images, resulting in faster page load times. However, not all browsers support WebP yet, so you may need to provide fallback images for unsupported browsers.
Use lazy loading to delay the loading of off-screen images
Lazy loading is a technique that delays the loading of off-screen images until the user scrolls down to them. This can help reduce the initial page load time and improve the user experience. Shopify has built-in support for lazy loading, so you can easily enable it in your store settings.
Avoid using large background images or images with unnecessary details
Using large background images or images with unnecessary details can significantly increase the size of your DOM. Use images that are optimized for web and avoid using images that are larger than they need to be. You can also use CSS to create background images instead of using HTML, which can help reduce the size of your DOM.
By following these tips, you can optimize your images and reduce the size of your DOM, resulting in faster page load times and a better user experience for your customers.
Minimize apps and scripts
Apps and scripts can significantly contribute to a large DOM size and slow page load times. To minimize apps and scripts in Shopify, you can:
Use only essential apps
Using too many apps can slow down your page load times and add unnecessary bloat to your DOM. Review the apps you have installed and remove any that are not essential to the functionality of your store.
Use lightweight apps
Some apps are more lightweight than others and have a smaller impact on your DOM size and page load times. When choosing apps, consider their impact on your store’s performance and choose lightweight options when possible.
Remove unused apps and scripts
Unused apps and scripts can still impact the performance of your store, even if they are not actively used. Review the apps and scripts you have installed and remove any that are no longer needed.
Use async and defer attributes for scripts
Using async and defer attributes for scripts allows them to load in the background while the rest of your page loads. This can help improve page load times and reduce the impact on your DOM size.
Combine scripts into a single file
If you have multiple scripts, consider combining them into a single file to reduce the number of requests made to your server. This can help reduce page load times and improve the performance of your Shopify store.
By minimizing apps and scripts, you can reduce the size of your DOM and improve the performance of your Shopify store. This can lead to a better user experience for your customers and potentially increased sales.
Optimize custom code and third-party integrations
Custom code and third-party integrations can be a significant contributor to a large DOM size and slow page load times. To optimize custom code and third-party integrations in Shopify, you can:
Use minification to reduce the size of custom code
Minification is a process that removes unnecessary characters from your custom code, such as spaces and comments, to reduce its size. You can use a minification tool, such as MinifyCode, to automatically minify your custom code.
Combine custom code into a single file
If you have multiple custom code files, consider combining them into a single file to reduce the number of requests made to your server. This can help reduce page load times and improve the performance of your Shopify store.
Use asynchronous loading for third-party integrations
Asynchronous loading allows third-party integrations to load in the background while the rest of your page loads, improving page load times. Many third-party integrations offer asynchronous loading options, so be sure to check the documentation for each integration you use.
Remove unused third-party integrations
Unused third-party integrations can add unnecessary bloat to your DOM and slow down page load times. Review the integrations you have installed and remove any that you are not actively using.
Optimize images and videos used by third-party integrations
Images and videos used by third-party integrations can add significant bloat to your DOM. Optimize these images and videos using the tips mentioned earlier in this article to reduce their size and improve page load times.
By optimizing your custom code and third-party integrations, you can reduce the size of your DOM and improve the performance of your Shopify store. This can lead to a better user experience for your customers and potentially increased sales.
Simplify product options and variants
Product options and variants can quickly add to the size of your DOM, particularly if you have many different product configurations. Simplifying your product options and variants can help reduce the size of your DOM and improve the performance of your Shopify store. Here are some tips for simplifying product options and variants:
Use dropdown menus for product options
Dropdown menus take up less space in your DOM than radio buttons or checkboxes. Use dropdown menus to allow customers to select product options, such as size or color.
Use swatches or images for color options
Instead of using dropdown menus for color options, consider using swatches or images. Swatches or images take up less space in your DOM and provide a more visual representation of the color options available.
Limit the number of product variants
Having too many product variants can make it difficult for customers to find the product they want and can also add unnecessary bloat to your DOM. Limit the number of product variants to only the most popular options.
Use product bundles or kits
Instead of offering many individual product options, consider creating product bundles or kits. This can simplify the product selection process for customers and reduce the size of your DOM.
Use custom fields instead of variants for customization options
If you offer customization options for your products, such as adding a monogram or selecting a specific font, consider using custom fields instead of variants. Custom fields take up less space in your DOM and provide more flexibility for customers to create their desired product.
By simplifying your product options and variants, you can reduce the size of your DOM and improve the performance of your Shopify store. This can lead to a better user experience for your customers and potentially increased sales.
Avoid nested and repetitive HTML structures
Nested and repetitive HTML structures can increase the size of your DOM and make it difficult to maintain your code. To avoid nested and repetitive HTML structures in Shopify, you can:
Use a clean and organized HTML structure
Maintaining a clean and organized HTML structure can help reduce the size of your DOM. Use semantic HTML tags to create a logical structure for your web page. Avoid using unnecessary HTML elements and keep your code as simple as possible.
Avoid nesting elements more than three levels deep
Nesting elements more than three levels deep can make it difficult to read and understand your code. It can also increase the size of your DOM. Use CSS to style your web page instead of nesting HTML elements.
Use CSS to style your web page
Using CSS to style your web page can help reduce the size of your DOM. Avoid using inline styles and use external style sheets instead. Use CSS to create a consistent look and feel for your web page.
By following these tips, you can avoid nested and repetitive HTML structures, which can help reduce the size of your DOM and improve the performance of your Shopify store.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an excessive DOM size can significantly impact the performance of your Shopify store, leading to slower page load times and a poor user experience for your customers. However, there are several ways you can optimize your Shopify store to reduce DOM size and improve performance.
By avoiding nested and repetitive HTML structures, optimizing images, simplifying product options and variants, minimizing custom code and third-party integrations, and minimizing apps and scripts, you can reduce the size of your DOM and improve the performance of your Shopify store.
Remember to regularly review your store’s performance and make adjustments as needed to ensure your customers have the best possible experience when visiting your store. By optimizing your Shopify store, you can potentially increase sales and grow your business.