If you have ever had a website built, been a part of web development or a web development project, I am pretty sure that you are familiar with the question, “Have you cleared your cache?” Throughout my experience over the last decade when changes are made on a website, they don’t always push through to a website. This is called “cache.” Honestly, it is a web developer biggest nightmare. But let’s dig a little deeper into the different types of issues that can be caused and how we can ensure you are seeing the freshest content of your website.
When I talk about website caching to some of my clients it sometimes will become misconstrued as a physical “cash” issue. That is definitely not the case here. When Caching happens, it is due to the fact your browser merely is not clearing out your history fast enough. Annoying? Yes, it is beyond frustrating. I cannot tell you how many back and forth emails I have sent with clients trying to clear cache etc. so they can see the updates to their websites. With that being said two culprits play a part in the issue you are experiencing. Those are Browser Cache and Server Cache. Both in which I will go into more detail about here as you keep reading.
The low down on server cache…
Often times Server cache is the main culprit and frustration when it comes to website updates. About 85% of the time clients will ask me to make some changes only for them to come back and tell me the issue is still not fixed. Why? (It’s not because I did not fix it) The answer is the server cache. Most often the changes take time. (Patience, I know it’s hard but sometimes it just takes patience). The changes will eventually unfold and the server will clear out the cached information and voila! Your site is showing its updates properly.
Although not everyone is patient there are certain plugins you can install to help force the cache to be cleared. This, in turn, notifies the server and requests the latest files, in which you should be able to review. Nonetheless this does not necessarily mean the end-user can always see the changes, which takes us over to browser caching.
And then there is browser cache…
Browser cache is that of your browser. With the exception that the data is often stored on your own hard drive. The plus side to this is the info that is being requested/downloaded won’t need to be asked each and every time you visit a page which definitely helps with loading times. Remember if you are going be having a website built and are having any type of issues seeing the changes being made it is merely a cache issue and can be resolved with either patience or a plugin that you can install. The plugin I recommend is WP Rocket as it will speed up your production and keep your site performing at top-notch speed.
This blog post contains affiliate links from WP Rocket. If you use them, I might be rewarded credit or a commission of the sale. Please note that I only recommend tools that I personally use and love and I always have my readers’ best interest at heart.
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