If you are a WordPress User then you are 100% Aware of W3 Total Cache Plugin, Which the top Cache plugin for WordPress users.
If you are looking for a Cache Plugin then I will suggest you two plugins, First is W3 Total Cache and another one is WP Super Cache. They both are top plugins.
When I started my blog, I was using WP Super Cache to manage all cache and performance of the site. One day I decided to change this with W3 Total Cache when I did this my site stopped working. That time I was happy with Super Cache then I changed again to Super cache and leave that idea.
But Yesterday I did this again then again I got the same error, I contacted to my Hosting Provider on live chat and discussed that error.
And thank god, They solved my error easily. I like their Support system and this is the reason I recommend my readers to use Microhost.
The one difference between these two plugins is Wp Super Cache is easy to setup and another has a lot of settings that’s why many beginners think it is very hard to configure.
But when I configured for my site, I did not found is very tough. So Today I am sharing which you how you can setup W3 Total Cache Plugin on Your WordPress Website.
Install W3 Total Cache Plugin
Before installing the plugin, make sure to deactivate your WP Super Cache plugin if you are using it currently or deactivate any of your cache plugin which you are using.
Go to your WordPress Admin Dashboard and then Plugins>Add New and search for W3 Total Cache.
Install that plugin and activate.
If you are new to WordPress and don’t know how to install a plugin then read: How to Install A WordPress Plugin?
Setup W3 Total Cache
Now you have successfully installed this plugin and let’s move to the main step which is How to Setup?
It is not as much tough as you are thinking, You only need to follow all below’s steps to setup it. Basically, important settings are already done which you don’t need to change but you are to activate some caching options and have a look at default settings as well.
Go to the Performance>General Settings, there you can see the Page Cache maybe it is already checked if not then check that and click on the Save all settings.
Then Scroll down and you can see Minify settings area, This will make your website load faster by minifying your CSS and JS files. Enable it and leave other options default.
This is the another a very important option, It will reduce your post, page, and feed creation time. Enable it by checking the box.
Object Cache, Enable it by checking the box and scroll down for another option.
Another option is Browser Cache which is already enabled if not then make sure to enable it. This will reduce your server load and decrease response time by using the cache available in site visitor’s web browsers.
Page Cache
Now go to Performance>Page Cache and check all options which I have highlighted in the below image. And click save all settings, leave all other settings as default.
Minify
Go to Performance>Minify and do same settings as shown in the image, leave others as default.
Database Cache
Do same settings as shown in the image below.
Browser Cache
Do the same settings which I have highlighted in the image and leave others as default.
Extensions
This is one of the best features of W3 Total Cache plugin, It offers extensions of top WordPress plugins & themes like Yoast SEO, CloudFlare & Feedburner.
Activate Extensions which you want to use by clicking the Activate link.
Integrate CloudFlare with W3 Total Cache
I have already shared how to setup CloudFlare CDN? if you did not read it yet then must read.
CloudFlare CDN: Setup Free CDN For Your WordPress Website
Create a new account or if you have already then you are ready for this task.
Go to Performance>Extensions and activate CloudFlare and then you can see a Setting link there so click on that. On the next page, you will see an Authorize button so click that.
Then you can see a pop-up which is asking for email and API button.
Now go to CloudFlare.com and log in your account first, then search for the Get Your API Key on the dashboard like shown in the image.
On the next page, Scroll down to the API Key section then you can see Global API Key and click on View API key.
Then a pop-up will appear with your API key, copy and paste it into the Cloudflare setting of W3 Total Cache plugin.
Paste your API Key and enter your email in the box. and click on Next button.
It’s done, you have successfully connected with the Cloudflare.
Now you understood how easy is to configure W3 Total Cache. This is the best plugin for the WordPress users to manage caches on their website.
If you like this post and found it helpful then share it with your WordPress friends. Or if you are facing any issues in configuring the plugin then feel free to share with us in the comment section.