We are experiencing critical performance issues on our WordPress E-commerce website, specifically slow server response times (TTFB - Time To First Byte), which is negatively impacting our SEO performance and user experience. Google Search Console reports that our average server response time is consistently above 500ms, leading to a reduced crawl rate and the recurring "Sitemap could not be read" error. We require an expert WordPress developer/performance specialist to identify and resolve the root causes of the high TTFB, focusing on server, database, and caching optimization. Deliverables and Goals The successful freelancer will achieve the following: Reduce Average TTFB: Bring the average server response time down to under 300ms (preferably below 200ms). Resolve GSC Errors: Ensure Google Search Console successfully reads and processes the sitemap without errors. Optimize Core Vitals: Improve overall website speed scores (PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix). Required Tasks (Technical Scope) The freelancer must perform a comprehensive audit and implementation of the following: 1. Caching Infrastructure Audit and Implementation Audit existing Caching setup (e.g., if using WP Rocket, LiteSpeed, etc.). Verify and configure Server-Side Caching (e.g., Redis or Memcached) with the hosting provider, if available. Optimize and configure CDN settings (e.g., Cloudflare) for maximum Caching, especially for static assets and HTML pages. 2. Database and Code Optimization Identify and remove resource-intensive or poorly coded plugins using tools like Query Monitor. Perform Database cleanup and optimization (removing post revisions, orphaned metadata, spam comments, and transients). Verify and upgrade the PHP version to the latest stable release supported by WordPress (PHP 8.2/8.3). 3. Server and Hosting Check Provide recommendations for hosting environment improvement (if the current shared hosting is clearly inadequate). Note: Direct hosting upgrade costs will be managed by us, but we require expert advice. Verify that the server is returning a stable 200 OK status for the sitemap. Required Expertise Deep expertise in WordPress Core and PHP. Proven track record in CRO/Performance Optimization for E-commerce sites (WooCommerce experience preferred). Proficiency with Google Search Console diagnostics and advanced Caching technologies (WP Rocket, Cloudflare, Redis). Please provide a brief summary of your experience in resolving high TTFB issues and the estimated time required for this project.