Static site performance checklist

Static output is a strong baseline, but images, fonts, and third-party scripts can still slow a page down.

Loading path

1. Give above-the-fold images accurate dimensions.
2. Lazy-load images below the fold.
3. Load diagrams, comments, and other large scripts only on pages that need them.
4. Cache versioned assets for a long time while keeping HTML updateable.

Interaction and accessibility

• Menus, tabs, and dialogs work with a keyboard.
• Controls have readable names and visible focus states.
• Dark mode does not flash during the first render.
• Motion respects prefers-reduced-motion.

Verify the result

Build checks, browser regressions, and deployed verification answer different questions. Run automation first, then verify cache headers and optional services on the target host.