I’m also a front end user but I like to learn WordPress development as well. Here are some recommendations:
– Remove unecessary widgets from your sidebar and keep it in only specific pages or posts (exec php or page template or custom CSS will help). Because, readers want to read the main content not lists on the sidebar. Maybe you should try some plugins to show related posts instead.
– Delete all revision posts, and/or disable completely post revision
– Use <!--more-->
tag to show short description of your posts on home page and archive page. The rest will be removed and shown on single post only.
– limit the maximum number of comments
– Finally, remove WordPress favicon from your site and make one for your own brand