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Performance Testing

Course Content
Copyright Agreement
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UAMS Copyright Agreement
Use of Material
Website & E‑Commerce Basics
This module introduces learners to the core concepts behind websites and online stores. Students explore how websites work (domains, hosting, CMS vs hosted platforms) and gain a clear understanding of different website and e-commerce models. The module covers foundational platforms such as WordPress, WooCommerce, and Shopify, including their purpose, strengths, and common use cases. Learners also review essential setup concepts like site structure, navigation, basic SEO, and store functionality.
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How Websites Work (domains, hosting)
00:00
CMS vs Hosted Platforms
00:00
Intro to WordPress & Shopify
00:00
Types of Websites and Online Stores
00:00
Domains, Hosting & Setup
This module explains the foundational components required to launch a website or online store. Learners explore how domain names work, how web hosting stores and delivers website content, and the role of DNS in connecting the two. The module also introduces hosting types, setup considerations, and basic installation workflows for platforms like WordPress and Shopify. By the end of the module, learners can confidently choose a domain, understand hosting options, and complete the initial setup needed to get a website online.
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Choosing a Domain Name
00:00
Web Hosting Basics
00:00
Installing WordPress (local & live)
00:00
Creating a Shopify Account
00:00
WordPress Dashboard & Settings
This module introduces learners to the WordPress admin dashboard and its core settings. Students explore the layout of the dashboard, key menu areas, and the purpose of essential settings such as site title, permalinks, user roles, reading, and discussion options. The module emphasizes how proper configuration affects site usability, SEO, and security. By the end of the module, learners can confidently navigate the WordPress dashboard and configure settings to support a well-structured, functional website.
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WordPress Dashboard & Settings
00:00
WordPress Admin Overview
00:00
Pages, Posts, Media
00:00
Permalinks & User Roles
00:00
Themes & Customization
00:00
Block Editor vs Page Builders
00:00
Using Elementor in WordPress
00:00
Responsive Design Basics
00:00
Backups, Updates & Security
00:00
Shopify Platform Overview
This module introduces learners to Shopify as a leading hosted e-commerce platform. Students explore its key features, including store setup, themes, apps, and integrations, and understand how Shopify simplifies online selling for businesses of all sizes. By the end of the module, learners can explain Shopify’s functionality, identify its advantages, and determine when it is the right platform for an online store.
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Shopify Ecosystem
00:00
Shopify vs WooCommerce
00:00
Admin Dashboard Tour
00:00
Themes & Customization
00:00
Products & Collections
00:00
Navigation & Pages
00:00
SEO for Shopify
00:00
Email & Social Selling
00:00
Analytics & Reporting
00:00
Launch & Maintenance
This module guides learners through the final steps of preparing, launching, and maintaining an online store. Students explore pre-launch checklists, performance testing, ongoing updates, backups, security, and routine maintenance for both Shopify and WordPress sites. The module emphasizes best practices for keeping stores secure, fast, and operational post-launch. By the end of the module, learners can confidently launch a website or store and implement a consistent maintenance routine to ensure long-term stability and growth.
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Pre‑launch Checklists
00:00
Performance Testing
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Ongoing Maintenance (Shopify)
Ongoing Maintenance (WordPress)
00:00
Website Security & Account Protection
By the end of this lesson, learners will understand why website security matters, how accounts get hacked, and how to protect websites and online accounts using simple, everyday tools like strong passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
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What Is Website Security?
00:00
Common Website Security Threats
00:00
Password Security Basics
00:00
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
00:00
Website-Level Security Tools
00:00
Everyday Security Habits
00:00
Website Learning Lab

Module Overview

This lesson teaches learners how to test and optimize the performance of a Shopify store. Performance testing ensures fast load times, smooth navigation, and a seamless customer experience, which are critical for conversions and SEO.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

  • Understand key performance metrics for Shopify stores

  • Use tools to test site speed and performance

  • Identify and fix common performance issues

  • Apply best practices for optimizing page load and responsiveness

  • Monitor ongoing performance after launch

Lesson 1: Key Performance Metrics

Performance testing on websites is the process of evaluating how well a website functions under different conditions, such as varying amounts of traffic, user interactions, or data loads. The goal is to ensure that the site is fast, stable, and reliable for all users. Performance testing looks at factors like page load speed, responsiveness, server performance, and how the website handles many visitors at once. By identifying bottlenecks or weaknesses, website owners can optimize code, improve server configurations, and enhance user experience, reducing the risk of crashes or slowdowns that could drive visitors away. Essentially, it ensures the website runs smoothly and efficiently, even during high demand.

  • Page Load Time: Time it takes for a page to fully load

  • Time to First Byte (TTFB): Time for server to respond

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Time for main content to load

  • First Input Delay (FID): Responsiveness to user interactions

  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Visual stability during load

  • Bounce Rate: Percentage of users leaving due to slow performance

Lesson 2: Testing Tools

  • Google PageSpeed Insights: Measures speed and provides optimization suggestions

  • GTmetrix: Analyzes load times, page size, and requests

  • Pingdom Tools: Tests website performance from different locations

  • Shopify Analyzer (built-in): Checks store speed and app performance

Steps

  1. Enter your Shopify store URL into the tool

  2. Review performance scores and recommendations

  3. Identify slow-loading pages or heavy elements

  4. Record baseline metrics for future comparison

Lesson 3: Common Performance Issues

  • Large, unoptimized images

  • Too many apps/plugins adding extra scripts

  • Complex or heavy theme code

  • Excessive redirects or broken links

  • Uncached resources

  • Slow third-party integrations (payment, tracking scripts)

Lesson 4: Optimization Techniques

  • Images: Compress and resize images for web use

  • Apps: Remove unused apps and scripts

  • Theme: Minify CSS, JS, and optimize Liquid code

  • Caching: Enable browser caching where possible

  • Lazy Loading: Load images and videos as user scrolls

  • CDN: Use Shopify’s built-in CDN for faster content delivery

  • Reduce redirects: Ensure URLs are clean and minimal

Lesson 5: Ongoing Monitoring

  • Regularly test performance after adding new products or apps

  • Monitor Google Analytics for bounce rates and page speed metrics

  • Use Shopify reports and third-party monitoring tools

  • Set alerts for unusual spikes in load time

Practical Activity

  • Use Google PageSpeed Insights to test your Shopify store

  • Identify the top three performance issues affecting load time

  • Compress and resize the largest images

  • Remove or disable one unnecessary app

  • Re-run the performance test and compare results

  • Document improvements and areas for future optimization

Key Takeaways

  • Performance directly affects user experience, conversions, and SEO

  • Regular testing helps identify and fix slow-loading pages

  • Optimizing images, apps, theme code, and caching improves speed

  • Ongoing monitoring ensures the store remains fast and responsive

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