Tawk.to Chat Widget Causing Slow Page Load

Community Discussion
1

I’m using Tawk.to for live chat on my website and while the tool itself is really useful, I’ve noticed a slight delay in page load time since I added their widget script. The chat works fine once loaded, but the delay in rendering is starting to affect user experience a bit, especially on mobile.

This is the script I’m using, and the chat appears on this URL: UK49s Win Kwik Pick 3

(It’s the default install with the script added before the closing </body> tag, as per their docs.)

I’m currently on shared hosting (cPanel-based), and wondering if this delay could be due to:

  • Shared hosting latency?
  • Tawk.to’s script loading from external servers?
  • How the script is embedded (async vs defer)?
  • Or maybe some conflict with other scripts on the page (I’m also using Google Analytics, a cookie popup, and a floating WhatsApp button)?

I really like Tawk.to because it’s free and easy to manage across multiple sites, but I’m considering alternatives if I can’t fix this issue. Before switching, I’d love to know:

  • Has anyone here used Tawk.to on shared hosting without load speed issues?
  • Any tips to optimize the widget load (e.g., delay loading, lazy load, or custom trigger)?
  • Can we host the script locally instead of relying on their CDN (I know it’s not officially recommended)?

I also saw someone mention that putting the widget behind a user interaction (like clicking a “Chat Now” button) helped speed up initial page load — has anyone implemented that?

Appreciate any help or insights. I’d rather fix it than switch tools since Tawk.to’s backend and mobile app work great for me. Thanks in advance!

2

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out to us.

Our widget script is designed to load asynchronously, meaning it doesn’t interfere with your website’s initial loading process. It loads after your main content has rendered, ensuring your site remains fast and responsive for users.

However, some performance testing tools may report a lower score. This is because they often calculate load times after all third-party scripts, including ours, have fully loaded. Additionally, we block certain page speed test bots, which can sometimes give the false impression that our widget is delaying your site’s loading. You can learn more in this guide:
:point_right: Does tawk.to affect website load speed?

That said, there are many potential reasons why a website may load slowly. Here are some of the most common:

  1. Large images or media files
  2. Unoptimized or heavy scripts
  3. Too many server requests
  4. Inefficient code or poor site structure
  5. Limited bandwidth or slow internet connection
  6. Network congestion or server-side issues
  7. Third-party plugins or services
  8. Overloaded or low-performing web hosting
  9. Slow DNS resolution
  10. Outdated browsers or underpowered devices
  11. Geographical distance between user and server
  12. Excessive network hops
  13. Ads or pop-ups
  14. Heavy use of tracking scripts or widgets
  15. Too many page redirects

To better identify the exact cause of any slowdown, we recommend running a performance test using tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. These can provide detailed insights and actionable suggestions to optimize your site’s loading speed.

Let us know if you’d like help interpreting the results.