Why Is It Important To Clear Cached Data?

Ever been halfway through a web project and hit a snag because a page just won’t load or display updates correctly? At Morningstar Digital, we often encounter this with our clients during the web development process. One of the first tips we give? “Try clearing your browser cache.” But what does this actually do, and why is it such a go-to piece of advice?

A Quick Dive into Browser Caching

Imagine every time you visit a website, your browser stores bits of the site (like images, scripts, etc.) to make your next visit quicker. Handy, right? This is browser caching at work. It’s your browser’s way of making repeat visits to websites faster by saving some data locally.

However, when we’re developing or updating websites, this well-meaning efficiency can lead to headaches. You might not see the latest changes because your browser is showing you an older, cached version of the site.

Why Morningstar Digital Recommends Clearing Your Cache

Clearing your cache is essentially hitting the refresh button on your browser’s memory of a site. Here’s why it’s beneficial, especially during a web development project:

• Ensures you're viewing the latest version: This is crucial when we’re making updates or changes to your site. You want to see the progress as it happens, right?
• Resolves loading and formatting issues: Sometimes things don’t look or work as they should because of outdated cache data. A quick clear-out can often fix these issues.
• Improves security: Regularly clearing your cache can help protect your personal information, especially when using shared or public computers.
• Speeds up your browsing: Over time, cached data can slow down your browser. Keeping it clean helps maintain speedy browsing.

How to Clear Your Cache Across Different Browsers

Here’s a quick guide from Morningstar Digital on how to clear your cache, tailored to the most popular browsers:

Google Chrome

1. Press [CTRL] + [Shift] + [Del].
2. Select "All time" to clear everything.
3. Check “Cached Images and Files” and click “Clear Data”.

Microsoft Edge

1. Press [CTRL] + [Shift] + [Del].
2. Choose “Temporary services and files” and click “Delete”.

Internet Explorer 11

1. Press [CTRL] + [Shift] + [Del].
2. Uncheck everything except “Temporary Internet files and website files” and click “Delete”.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press [CTRL] + [Shift] + [Del].
2. Choose “Everything” to clear all cache.
3. Select “Cache” and click “Clear Now”.

Opera

1. Press [CTRL] + [Shift] + [Del].
2. Choose “Since installation” for a full clear-out.
3. Check “Images and Files in Cache” and click “Delete Browser Data”.

After clearing the cache, we recommend closing all browser windows and then reopening them. This ensures the changes take effect and you’re viewing the most up-to-date version of your site.

A Parting Tip from Morningstar Digital

During any web development project, we suggest clearing your cache regularly to stay on top of updates and changes. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in your browsing experience and ensure you’re always looking at the latest and greatest version of your website.

Got any questions or need further assistance? Morningstar Digital is here to help. Drop us a line. We love making the web a better place, one cleared cache at a time!