One of the main benefits of a web CMS is the ability to change and add content simply and quickly. There are also a few easy tweaks you can use to make sure your DNN website is performing well all the time.

The changes which are likely to make the most impact to your DNN site are those to the host settings. See below for our list of recommended tweaks

Host -> Host Settings changes

If you have our Page Caching module, you can make the setting changes as shown below.

• Enable DNN Caching: Host Settings->Advanced Settings->Performance Settings
  Make the following settings:
  Module Cache Provider = “Memory”
  Page Output Cache Provider = “psPageCacheMemoryProvider” (you need to buy our module to have this available!)
  Cache Setting = “Heavy”

To purchase your copy of our DNN Page Caching module or download a free trial version, visit our DNN Page Cache module page.

Other host setting changes are shown below – all these settings will make your website run more efficiently.

• Enable Event Log buffering: Host Settings->Other Settings
  Make the following settings:
  Enable Event Log Buffer = checked
   
• Disable auto file syncing: Host Settings->Other Settings
  set "Auto-Sync File System" = unchecked
   
• Enable Client Resource Management (DNN 6+): Host Settings->Advanced Settings->Client Resource Management
  Make the following settings:
  Enable Composite Files = checked
  Minify CSS = checked
  Minify JS = checked
   
• Disable some HTML output:
  Host Settings->Basic Settings->Appearance
  Show Copyright Credits = unchecked
  Use Custom Module Css Class = unchecked

There are a number of changes that can be made ‘on page’ to improve page speed and site performance, thanks to DNN’s superior on-page editing, making these changes is quick and simple.

On-page changes

• Enable Module Caching for individual modules
  You can do this manually by opening the Settings for a module on a page, select “Page Settings” tab and expand the “Cache Settings” section. The “Output Cache Provider” should already be set to “Memory” and enter a value (in seconds) into the “Cache Duration” box. If the content of this module doesn’t change often then set it to something fairly high. Beware, some dynamic modules don’t work well if you enable module caching so it’s something you may need to experiment with when applying to some 3rd party modules.

• Enable Page Caching – probably the best way to improve page speed - You will need DNN Evoq or purchase our DNN Page Cache module to be able to do this:

Page Settings->Advanced Settings->Cache Settings section

• Output Cache Provider = psPageCacheFileProvider or psPageCacheMemoryProvider
• Cache Duration (seconds) = 1200 (20 minutes) or more if the page content doesn’t change often.
• Include Params in Cache Variation = if your page uses querystring value to determine the content, such as a Blog page, then you need to enter the various querystring keys here and comma separate them.
• Click Update Page to save your settings.

Hosting

Hosting is one of the most important things to pay attention to when it comes to page speed.

• This is often overlooked and don’t take it for granted that just because you’re using a well known or large hosting provider that you’re getting the best out of your DNN website. More often than not, large scale hosting providers, including Azure and Amazon, aren’t providing you with the best performing platform
• If it’s speed, reliability and resilience you’re after then invest in something better – try our supercharged DNN VMware vSphere hosting platform and experience the difference specialist hosting can make.  

We love DNN and like nothing better than a good chat, so if you would like more information about anything above, would like to discuss your design, development, hosting or support in more details, please contact us