Here are the steps you can follow to optimize the performance settings on Drupal 8:
1. Log in as an administrator and go to Configuration > Development > Performance.
1. Clear the cache – this ensures that the website is displaying the latest version of the content without any lingering resources from previous versions.
1. Enable caching options like page caching and dynamic page caching.
1. Use a reliable caching mechanism such as Redis or Memcached to store cache data.
1. Enable aggregation of JavaScript and CSS files to reduce the number of HTTP requests.
1. Consider optimizing images by resizing, compressing or converting them into the WebP format.
1. Review the enabled modules and remove any that are not being used as they can add unnecessary overhead to the website.
1. Set up a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to serve static assets like images from a server closer to the user.
1. Keep your Drupal installation up-to-date with the latest security patches and fixes.
By following these steps, your Drupal 8 website should achieve optimal performance and provide users with a fast and reliable experience.