Understanding Website Speed
There are several key metrics to know when diagnosing your website speed, including:
Time to First Byte (TTFB)
TTFB calculates the time it takes from when a URL is requested to when the first byte of information is received from the server. If TTFB is high, it suggests an issue with your website’s server and hosting arrangement.
First Contentful Paint (FCP)
FCP measures the time it takes between a URL request and the content being painted or shown on the website for visitors. If this measure is high, it means your website is loading too many files (images, JavaScript, CSS, etc.), which are delaying the browser’s capacity to paint the page.
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
LCP detects when the biggest element on any page of your website is rendered (displayed) in the browser. LCP is not a measurement of total load time. Instead, LCP evaluates how long it takes a visitor to your website to view the page’s primary content above the initial scroll on their screen. The longer they have to wait, the worse the experience.
Interaction to Next Paint (INP)
Interaction with Next Paint (INP). INP is a new Core Web Vitals metric. Google replaced First Input Delay (FID) with INP in March 2024. INP measures the time it takes for a user to interact with a webpage (for example, by clicking a button or a link) and for the outcome of that interaction to display on their screen. For Core Web Vitals, Google will monitor all interactions with a webpage but will only evaluate the longest INP seen.
Diagnosing Your Website’s Rate
To begin diagnosing your website’s speed, we recommend using Google PageSpeed Insights. PageSpeed Insights provides valuable insights into how well your site performs on both mobile and desktop devices, along with actionable recommendations for improvement.
Here’s how to use it:
- Go to Google PageSpeed Insights and enter your website URL.
- Click „Analyze“. The tool will take a moment to evaluate your site’s speed.
- Review the results, which will include your site’s performance scores (0-100), along with suggestions for improvement.
Building for Speed
Custom WordPress development offers several advantages over theme-based solutions when it comes to speed. One major advantage is that custom development allows for cleaner, more efficient code.
Theme-based solutions often come with a lot of extra features and functionalities, which can lead to bloated code that slows down your website. By developing custom solutions, we can ensure that only the essential code is included, resulting in faster load times.
In addition, custom themes allow developers to follow best practices for coding and site structure, further enhancing site speed.
Server and Hosting Considerations
Website speed is heavily influenced by the choice of hosting provider and server configurations. Here are some considerations to take into account:
Hosting Provider
The right hosting provider can significantly impact your website’s speed. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a hosting provider:
Performance Track Record – Look for hosting providers with a good reputation for speed and uptime. Read reviews and case studies to understand how they perform under different conditions.
Type of Hosting – Shared hosting is often the cheapest option, but it can lead to slower load times, especially if other sites on the same server experience high traffic. For better speed, consider VPS or dedicated hosting options.
Data Center Location – The distance between your server and your users can impact load times. Choose a hosting provider with data centres close to your target audience.
Mobile Optimization
With more than half of all web traffic coming from mobile devices, optimizing your website for mobile users is also essential. Here are some tips for improving mobile speed:
Responsive Design
Ensure your website uses responsive design techniques that adapt layout and content based on the device’s screen size. This improves user experience and helps Google understand your site better.
Use Google’s AMP
Google’s Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) is a framework that allows you to create mobile-optimized content that loads instantly. Implementing AMP can significantly enhance load times for mobile users.
Optimize Images
Mobile users may not have fast internet connections. Optimize images for mobile by compressing them and using the appropriate format. Tools like TinyPNG and ImageOptim can help with this.
Testing and Continuous Improvement
Improving website speed is not a one-time task. It requires ongoing testing and monitoring to maintain and improve performance over time. Here are some strategies to consider:
Regular Speed Tests
Make a habit of regularly testing your website’s speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, or Pingdom. These tools provide speed scores and offer actionable recommendations for improvement.
A/B Testing
If you make changes to improve speed, conduct A/B tests to measure their impact on user behavior and site performance. This data-driven approach can help you understand what works best for your specific audience.
Conclusion
By implementing the strategies detailed in this guide, you can substantially enhance your website’s performance. This improvement will lead to a more enjoyable experience for your visitors and may also result in better rankings in search engine results. It’s crucial to stay informed about the latest speed optimization methods to maintain a quick and efficient website, especially as web standards evolve and user expectations continue to rise. Keeping up with these advancements ensures that your site not only meets current demands but also remains competitive.
Natalia Barańska
Marketing Specialist
