CDN
A CDN (content delivery network) is a network of servers around the world that keep copies of your site, so it loads from somewhere physically close to each visitor. The result: a faster site, everywhere.
Also known as: content delivery network · content distribution network
In plain English
Normally your website is served from one server in one location. If that server is in New York and your visitor is in London, the data has to travel across the ocean — which takes time. A CDN solves this by keeping copies of your site on servers all over the world, then serving each visitor from the one nearest them. Shorter distance, faster load.
Why it matters for your business
Speed is money, and a CDN is one of the most effective speed tools there is — especially if your customers aren't all in one place, or your site is heavy with images. A faster site keeps visitors from leaving, helps your Google ranking, and holds up better during a traffic spike, because the load is spread across many servers instead of hammering one.
Where it fits
A CDN works alongside good hosting and caching, not instead of them. Together they're a big part of why one site loads instantly and another crawls.
Common questions
- Do I need a CDN?
- If you have visitors from more than one region — or you just want a faster, more resilient site — a CDN helps. It's especially worth it for image-heavy sites and stores. For a tiny local-only site, the benefit is smaller but rarely hurts.
- Is a CDN the same as caching?
- They're related but not identical. Caching stores a ready-made copy of your pages; a CDN stores copies in many locations so they're delivered from near each visitor. Used together, they're a big part of what makes a site feel fast.
Related terms
Run into this on your site?
Speed Optimization