What It Is
A browser cache is a small storage area on your device where your browser keeps copies of files from websites you visit, such as logos, photos, fonts and style sheets. The next time you open that site, the browser can reuse those saved files instead of downloading them again. It is like keeping your most-used kitchen tools on the counter instead of digging them out of a cupboard each time.
Why It Matters for Your Business
Caching makes repeat visits faster, which matters for customers who come back to check your hours, menu or prices. Your website and host decide how long browsers should keep each file. The trade-off is that after you update your site, some visitors (including you) may briefly see the old version because their browser is still using its saved copy.
Good to Know
If you make a change and do not see it, try a hard refresh (on most desktop browsers, hold Shift while clicking reload) or open the page in a private window. Note that the browser cache is different from a server cache, which your host or a caching plugin uses to speed up pages for everyone.