Are you having website problems on one web browser but not another, or perhaps you are having problems that no one else is on the site? There's a chance you need to clear your browser cache. This extremely simple and safe step varies slightly between different web browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and others, but below, we've included some quick links to instructions on each of the major web browsers.
- Google Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
- Samsung Mobile ("Internet" app)
But Wait, What is Caching?
If you're the type that wonders about the "why" and the "what," allow us to give you a simple explanation of what caching is and why it's often viewed as a "necessary evil" in the world of website development.
As the integration between technology and our lives grows deeper, there is an increasing need to quickly deliver information and website content. With decreasing attention spans, modern humans are conditioned to receive instant gratification. This notion is reflected in Google's and other major search engines' algorithms, which determine a website's placement in search results. Not to skew too technical, it can simply be said that if your website takes too long to load, not only will users be more likely to exit before the site loads, Google and other major search engine companies will be more inclined to suppress your site from the top of search results.
Enter Browser Caching
So, when you consider the elements of a website that take the longest time to load, more often than not, these elements are static; most aspects of a website stay the same over long periods of time. For instance, the images on your home page and the functions that make those images appear are likely to stay the same way for quite some time. So, once a website visitor loads them once, there isn't much of a need to reload them again if they're going to be back on that page in the near future.
EXACTLY WHAT CONTENT IS SAVED IN CACHING?
Cached data comes from files, scripts, images, and other multimedia that are stored on your device after opening an app or visiting a website. This data is then used to quickly gather information about the app or website every time it's revisited to reduce load time.
Web Browser applications, like Google Chrome, save website elements to a "cache," which allows website visitors commonly on your site to more quickly access your static content. On the surface, this is great, especially from the perspective of your average user. However, from a website development perspective, browser caching does present some inconveniences, particularly on dynamic and ever-evolving websites.
The primary problem with browser caching is that sometimes you, as the user, need to manually delete your browser cache in order to see some website updates.
Users can clear their cache at any time, but browsers will automatically clear the cache when it becomes full.
Other Caching Considerations
To compound caching confusion and snafus, another issue one will run into is Network Caching, where your router or other equipment caches website data. When you’re noticing errors on your site on one device, like your computer, and clearing your browser cache doesn't solve the issue, try turning off your separate mobile device’s WiFi to use your carrier’s data network instead, then try replicating the issue on your mobile device by accessing the page or resource that is acting/displaying problematically. If the errors aren’t visible on your mobile device while not using your WiFi network, there’s a good chance your Internet network is caching details about your site. Try clearing your network cache by restarting your router and see if that clears up the issue you’re facing.