What is a content delivery network (CDN) and why is it important?

A content delivery network (CDN) is a globally distributed network of servers designed to deliver content (such as websites, images, videos, and scripts) efficiently and reliably. By caching content closer to users, a CDN reduces load times, improves website performance, and enhances security.

What is latency?

Latency, in terms of page load, is the delay between a user requesting a webpage and the content starting to appear on their screen. This delay happens because data has to travel from the server (where the website is hosted) to the user’s device. Often, popular cheap hosting providers are based internationally, which can slow down every page load compared to UK-based web servers—assuming the majority of your visitors are in the UK.

Key features of a CDN

🚀 Faster load times

• CDNs cache content on edge servers worldwide, ensuring users access data from the nearest location.
• Minimises latency and speeds up content delivery, especially for international visitors.

🔄 Load balancing

• Distributes traffic across multiple servers to prevent overload.
• Improves availability and reliability by reducing single-server failures.

🛡️ Security enhancements

• Protects against DDoS attacks by absorbing malicious traffic.
• Offers SSL/TLS encryption to ensure secure data transmission.
• Provides web application firewalls (WAF) to block threats before they reach the origin server.

📉 Bandwidth optimisation

• Reduces hosting costs by offloading traffic from the origin server.
• Uses compression and image optimisation to lower data transfer sizes.

🌍 Global scalability

• Ensures consistent performance across different geographical locations.
• Adapts to traffic spikes during high-demand periods.

🔄 Content caching & optimisation

• Stores static and dynamic content closer to users.
• Uses intelligent caching policies to refresh content efficiently.

🎯 Improved SEO & user experience

• Faster websites rank better in search engines like Google.
• Lower bounce rates as users don’t have to wait for pages to load.

Why is a CDN important?

With internet users expecting fast, secure, and reliable experiences, a CDN is no longer optional. Whether you run a blog, an eCommerce store, or a streaming service, a CDN enhances performance, reduces costs, and improves security – ensuring your content reaches the right audience without delays.

Want to improve your website speed and security? Consider integrating a CDN today!