Introduction
Website performance and user experience are critical factors for any online business. A common issue faced by WordPress users is slow form submission, particularly when using Elementor Forms in combination with an SMTP plugin for email delivery. In this case study, we analyze the problem, its impact, and the solution implemented to enhance website performance.
The Issue: Slow Form Submission in Elementor Forms
A client website built on WordPress was experiencing delays when submitting Elementor forms. Users noticed that after clicking the submit button, the form would take several seconds to process before displaying a success message.
Upon investigation, we identified that the delay was due to real-time email sending via the SMTP plugin. Since Elementor Forms process emails immediately upon submission, the SMTP connection had to be established, emails had to be prepared, and then they were sent—all while the user waited for the form submission to complete.
Root Causes Identified:
1. SMTP Connection Overhead: Each form submission triggered an SMTP authentication and email delivery process, slowing down the response time.
2. Server Processing Load: Processing emails in real time placed an unnecessary load on the server, leading to performance issues.
3. User Experience Impact: Users had to wait longer for form submissions to process, which could lead to frustration or form abandonment.
The Solution: Scheduling Emails Instead of Real-Time Sending
To eliminate the delay, we implemented a scheduled email system instead of sending emails immediately. Here’s how we resolved the issue:
Steps Taken:
1. Disabled Immediate Email Sending:
Elementor Forms trigger email sending in real-time, which we needed to modify.
2. Implemented WP Cron for Email Scheduling:
Instead of sending emails instantly, we scheduled them to be sent later using WordPress Cron Jobs (WP-Cron).
This allows the form submission process to complete quickly, and emails are sent in the background.
3. Used an Email Scheduling Plugin:
A WordPress email scheduling plugin was used to handle delayed email sending.
This ensured that all emails were delivered without affecting form submission speed.
4. Improved User Experience:
Users now experience an instant form submission with a success message.
Emails are sent within a short period without affecting website performance.
Results & Impact
- Form Submission Speed: Reduced from 5-8 seconds to instant submission.
- Email Delivery Reliability: Ensured that all emails were sent efficiently without SMTP failures.
- Better User Experience: Users no longer had to wait for email processing to complete before receiving a success message.
Conclusion
This case study highlights the importance of optimizing email handling in WordPress forms. By scheduling emails instead of sending them in real-time, we successfully resolved the slow form submission issue. The combination of WP Cron and an email scheduling plugin provided a seamless and scalable solution, ensuring both quick form submissions and reliable email delivery.
If you are facing similar issues with your WordPress website, Digital Creatings can help you optimize performance and enhance user experience. Contact us today!
