Keeping your WordPress website running smoothly is essential for providing a great user experience. One common task in website maintenance is clearing the cache. In this blog, we’ll explain what “clear cache” means, why it’s important, and how to clear cache on WordPress.
Firstly, we need to know what cache is. Cache refers to a temporary storage area where data is saved for quick access. In the context of websites, caching stores frequently accessed files like images, scripts, and web pages. This allows websites to load faster because the browser or server retrieves stored versions instead of generating content from scratch each time.
So, when someone visits your website, WordPress generates pages dynamically by pulling content from its database. On their next visit, the page loads more quickly because it pulls data from the cache instead of downloading everything again.
However, cached data can sometimes cause problems:
“Clearing the cache” involves removing temporary data stored to help your website load faster. When you clear the cache, you force your website to discard the old data and regenerate updated pages, ensuring visitors see only the latest content and features.
Regularly clearing your cache helps:
There are two main ways to clear your WordPress cache:
KIJO PRO TIP: It is worth noting that the two can co-exist, so you may need to clear your cache on both!
If you don’t want to work with your hosting provider to clear your cache, there are several plugins that make clearing your cache simple. At KIJO, we use WP Rocket.
Alternatively, you can use the WP Rocket Admin Toolbar:
This will ensure your website’s cache is cleared, and visitors see the most up-to-date version of your content.
Many reputable website hosts – like us here at KIJO – offer built-in caching tools, from storing to clearing. Clearing your cache via your host also takes this task off of your mind. That means you can focus on simply growing your business!
Alongside caching management, KIJO’s managed WordPress hosting service – KIJO Cloud – provides a scalable, secure, and high-performance solution. Our cloud-based infrastructure ensures reliable performance by scaling resources as needed (depending on traffic), reducing downtime during high-demand periods. With comprehensive features like automatic backups, advanced security protocols, and expert technical support, our team ensures your website runs smoothly and efficiently, always.
Read more about KIJO Cloud here.
If you or your hosting provider has cleared your WordPress cache but changes aren’t showing, try clearing your browser cache:
The frequency of clearing your cache on WordPress depends on how often you update your website and the type of content you manage. Here’s a general guide:
Related Read: 10 WordPress Maintenance Tasks That Keep Your Site Running Optimally
If you’re not going to work with your hosting provider to manage your caching, many caching plugins, like WP Rocket, offer automatic cache-clearing settings based on triggers like content updates or time intervals. This can save you the hassle of manual clearing while keeping your WordPress website fresh and fast. However, it’s worth noting that some plugins have a cache expiry. The hosting caches, such as Kinsta’s, are cleared after a page or post is updated automatically.
Do your research on which caching plugin is right for you and your website’s needs and then consider automatic cache clearing.
Clearing your WordPress cache is a simple yet powerful way to keep your website performing at its best. Whether you use a caching plugin or your hosting provider’s in-built tools, regular maintenance ensures a seamless experience for your visitors and keeps your website running efficiently.
By understanding caching and managing it proactively, you’ll avoid common website issues and keep it running fast and responsive.
Need expert guidance on your next digital project, hosting or maintenance? Book a complimentary, 30-minute consultation with our Head of Partnerships & Co-Founder, Kirk Thompson. Let’s bring the vision of your brand to life—book your free consultation via the link below: