Put the words first
An article built around text should not make a reader wait for a collection of scripts before showing its first paragraph. A clear title, readable line length, and steady layout do most of the work. These choices also help older devices and slower connections. A page can have a distinct visual identity without asking the browser to assemble a small application just to display a few ideas.
Use images with a purpose
A screenshot that clarifies a setting or a diagram that explains a process earns its place. Decorative images need a higher bar. When an image matters, give it a useful description, sensible dimensions, and an appropriately sized file. This avoids sudden layout shifts and unnecessary downloads. Often a precise example in the text explains more than a generic photograph.
Count the cost of upkeep
Every dependency becomes something to update, test, and eventually replace. A simpler page is easier to archive, move to a new server, and inspect when something goes wrong. Speed is therefore partly a maintenance decision. The reward is a site that stays understandable to both its readers and the people looking after it.