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Low-Tech SEO: Why keeping it simple isn’t being lazy

February 11, 2026 · Gautier
3 mins
SEO

We often get lost in complicated stuff, even though Google, at its core, just wants efficiency (so they say). In 2026, if you pack your site with heavy sliders or useless animations, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. It’s likely the number one thing blocking your growth on the web.

The 2026 goal is more of a “Performance-First” approach. Basically, the idea is to transform your WordPress by avoiding the fluff. It’s not rocket science; you just have to stop trying to put everything everywhere.

The “plugins-galore” problem

It’s a classic: we install an extension for every tiny detail. The issue is that every plugin is one more request for the server. And let’s be honest, it’s also an open door for hackers.

A site with 40 plugins is a nightmare to manage and painfully slow. It’s better to prioritize native functions. We code small bits of PHP directly into the functions.php file, and that’s it. Less code means more speed, and users stay happy.

Eco-design isn’t just for show

Today, “Green IT” has become indispensable. A lightweight site consumes less energy, whether on the server or on the user’s smartphone. Google loves this because it doesn’t eat up people’s data plans.

  • Optimize images to the max (WebP or Avif): I should probably get on that myself…
  • Set up a solid server-side cache.
  • Remove everything that isn’t essential during loading.

It’s good for the planet, but above all, it’s excellent for your SEO. A site that loads in a fraction of a second changes everything for your rankings.

Is Green IT just a trend?

Frankly, Green IT isn’t just a trend to feel good about yourself. It’s concrete action that directly impacts your wallet and site performance.

In short, the heavier your site, the harder the server has to work to send data. And a server running at full throttle consumes a lot of electricity. By reducing page weight, you reduce your carbon footprint while gaining loading speed. It’s a win-win.

Then there’s the “digital sobriety” aspect in design. Do we really need a background video playing as soon as we land on the home page? Probably not. By removing these gadgets, we save visitors’ phone battery and avoid heating up data centers for nothing.

Also, think about your hosting choice. Some run on renewable energy or cool their servers intelligently. It’s nice to know your site is stored on an infrastructure that cares.

Basically, doing Green IT is mostly about stopping the waste of resources on features nobody uses. It’s common sense applied to the web.

Here are the top 3 we see most often:

  • Infomaniak: The gold standard. Based in Switzerland, using 100% renewable energy and cooling their data centers without AC (just outside air). Clean.
  • o2switch: Based in France. Along with a simple “one-size-fits-all” offer, they put great effort into server energy efficiency. Local and effective.
  • Ex2: They position themselves as truly green hosts. They offset carbon emissions and even offer plans where they plant trees. Great if you want a more committed approach.

Security is the foundation of SEO

If Chrome displays “Site not secure,” you’re done. Your conversion rate will drop to zero instantly. The webmaster’s job today is primarily to monitor that everything is fine to avoid ending up on a blacklist. Otherwise, all your SEO efforts will be for nothing.

In short, the best SEO isn’t about adding tons of stuff. It’s about knowing how to remove everything unnecessary to keep only the essentials. That’s the real strategy for lasting success.

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