A content delivery network (CDN) is a group of web servers spread around the world to deliver content quickly. Using a CDN is far more efficient than running everything off one central server, and it is generally used by websites pulling a lot of traffic.
The full term: Content Delivery Network
Without a CDN, the server the site sits on has to answer every single end user request. Visitors create traffic on that server, so when traffic spikes hard or the load stays constant, the server can start throwing errors.
A content delivery network answers end user requests from CDN nodes closer to the user rather than from the origin server, which spares the origin the heavy load and improves the web experience. That benefits the content provider and the end user alike. The end user reaches the content faster.
Our web design team takes the basic criteria for building a successful website seriously. For the companies we provide international SEO services to, we always set up a CDN.
How Does a Content Delivery Network Work?
Content delivery networks, CDNs, work by serving content to users through servers that sit geographically closer to them than the site’s origin server does. Which makes the connection faster.
There are exchange points between servers. A CDN will place a server at that crossing. It is called an internet exchange point. Using those points gets the data across faster and more reliably.
Why Does a CDN Matter?
Using a content delivery network works in favor of the site owner and the end user alike. Here are some of the benefits.
1. It Is a Ranking Factor
Load time was introduced as a ranking factor in 2010. As we said in our piece on speeding up a WordPress site, the longer a page takes to load, the more likely it is to damage your SEO. Setting up a CDN falls under technical SEO.
A long load time can make a user abandon the connection halfway and leave. Using a CDN cuts the load time and lifts your Google ranking with it.
2. Lower Costs and More Conversions
Using a CDN also brings your operating costs down. While the CDN handles delivering the data and the content, it caches the site on its servers too.
A CDN can affect your bottom line as well. The reason is that the gain in speed leads to more conversions; your visitors become more likely to spend money on the site.
3. It Raises Security and Reliability
Alongside the storage capacity they offer, content delivery networks protect against DDoS attacks and encrypt the traffic.
Not only that, they can also handle automatic backups, which means end users can always reach the content they came for.
Your page is far less likely to go down, too. Which brings the bounce rate down.
If you are heading into a period where you expect heavy traffic from a TV campaign or some other kind of advertising, you should be running a CDN. And if the campaign is a large one, you should stress test the site as well.
What Are the Downsides of Using a CDN?
There is no rule saying content delivery networks work for everybody. Here is why:
1. CDNs Can Be Blocked
Your visitors may be unable to reach the site because the CDN servers are blocked by a network, an organization or a country.
2. Security Risks
Security breaches can happen on a public CDN as well. Your site’s user data can leak, and if something goes down you are left with your hands tied. One way or another you have tied your site to the security terms of a third party network.
3. Files That Are Not Optimized
Sometimes files are too large for the CDN to optimize. There are ways around that, of course, but they cost time and a little cash.
Which Content Delivery Networks Will Speed Your Site Up?
There is a wide range of CDNs on the web offering different services. Here are a few of them. If you want my recommendation, Cloudflare is the firm doing the best work in this field anywhere. The little known hero standing behind the internet.
- Cloudflare
- Incapsula
- Cachefly
- jsDelivr
- CDN77
- EdgeCast
- Limelight
How Do You Set Up a CDN?
If you do not know where to start with a CDN, Cloudflare is a good place. Install a WordPress CDN plugin and you can start bringing your site onto the network.
How Can We Help?
At Türk SEM we always put a CDN in place for clients whose visitors come from more than one country. Türk SEM itself does not run one at the moment. The reason is that our servers sit in Istanbul and they are quick enough as they are.
