Key takeaways
- Checkout speed matters. Deloitte found a 0.1-second faster mobile site lifted retail conversions by 8.4%.
- WooCommerce’s High-Performance Order Storage (HPOS) keeps order data in dedicated tables, which helps busy stores.
- Object caching, fewer scripts on checkout pages and good hosting do most of the heavy lifting.
- Never cache the cart, checkout or account pages.
- Stripe’s hosted payment fields keep card numbers off your server, which makes PCI compliance much simpler.
To speed up a WooCommerce checkout, start with good hosting and object caching, switch on High-Performance Order Storage, and strip unnecessary scripts from the cart and checkout pages. To keep it secure, use Stripe’s hosted payment fields so card details never touch your server, keep everything updated, and protect admin logins. Each step below explains why.
Why checkout speed matters
Australians spent $82.6 billion online in 2025, according to Australia Post, and online shopping made up about a quarter of retail spend in mid-2026. Shoppers have plenty of choice. A slow or glitchy checkout gives them a reason to leave.
Deloitte’s 2020 study “Milliseconds Make Millions” found that a 0.1-second improvement in mobile speed increased retail conversions by 8.4%. Checkout is where that matters most, because it’s the step closest to the sale.
Why are WooCommerce checkouts slow?
Product pages can be cached, so they load quickly. Cart and checkout pages can’t, because every customer’s cart is different. Each step makes WordPress and the database do real work, so any inefficiency shows up here first.
The usual causes are:
- Underpowered or crowded hosting.
- A large, unoptimised database, especially on older stores.
- Plugins loading their scripts on every page, including checkout.
- Slow calls to outside services, such as shipping rate lookups or tracking scripts.
Five ways to speed up checkout
- Turn on High-Performance Order Storage (HPOS). HPOS stores orders in dedicated database tables instead of the general WordPress posts table. WooCommerce built it for performance and it’s the default for new stores. Older stores can switch over in WooCommerce settings after checking their plugins are compatible.
- Add object caching. A persistent object cache, such as Redis, keeps the results of common database queries in memory. Pages that can’t be fully cached, like checkout, still get faster.
- Load fewer scripts on checkout. Sliders, chat widgets and marketing tags rarely need to run on the payment page. Remove what isn’t needed there.
- Keep the database tidy. Clear out expired sessions, old transients and abandoned carts. Schedule it, rather than doing it once.
- Use hosting built for stores. WooCommerce needs more server power than a brochure site, especially during sales. See our WooCommerce hosting.
Never cache cart, checkout or My Account pages. A misconfigured cache can show one customer’s cart to another, or break payments entirely. Most good caching tools exclude these pages by default. Check yours does.
Keeping payments secure with Stripe
The safest way to take card payments is to never handle card numbers yourself. Stripe’s payment fields are loaded from Stripe, so the card number goes straight from the customer’s browser to Stripe. Your website only receives a token that represents the payment.
That matters for PCI DSS, the card industry’s security standard. When card data never touches your server, your compliance work is far simpler, usually a short self-assessment questionnaire. It also means a compromised website can’t leak card numbers it never had.
Stripe also supports Apple Pay and Google Pay, which are faster for customers on phones, and 3D Secure checks that help reduce fraud.
Security basics for the rest of the store
- Keep WordPress, WooCommerce, the Stripe plugin and your theme updated, and update related plugins together.
- Turn on two-factor login for every admin and shop manager.
- Limit who can see orders and customer details.
- Keep frequent offsite backups. Stores change constantly, so a week-old backup loses a week of orders. Our Elite care plan backs up every hour.
- Test a real order after every update, from cart to confirmation email.
If your checkout has already stopped working, see our guide to emergency WordPress repairs. For ongoing care, our WooCommerce maintenance includes checkout and payment checks on the Elite plan.
Frequently asked questions
How can I make my WooCommerce checkout faster?
Use hosting sized for WooCommerce, add object caching, turn on High-Performance Order Storage, keep the database tidy and remove unnecessary scripts from the checkout page.
What is WooCommerce HPOS?
High-Performance Order Storage keeps orders in dedicated database tables instead of the general WordPress posts table. It’s designed for better performance and is the default for new stores.
Should I cache my checkout page?
No. Cart, checkout and account pages should never be fully cached, because each customer’s data is different. Object caching is safe and helps.
Is Stripe secure for WooCommerce?
Yes. Stripe’s payment fields send card details straight to Stripe, so they never touch your server. That reduces your PCI DSS obligations and your risk.
How much does checkout speed affect sales?
Deloitte found a 0.1-second improvement in mobile speed lifted retail conversions by 8.4%. Results vary by store, but faster is consistently better.
Sources
- Milliseconds make millions, Deloitte via web.dev, 2020
- eCommerce industry report 2026, Australia Post, 2026
- High-Performance Order Storage, WooCommerce, accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Integration security guide, Stripe, accessed 13 Nov 2026