Simple PageSpeed Guide: Improve Core Web Vitals

Running a startup? You know how precious time and money are. A slow website bleeds both. It costs you customers and opportunities. Google uses Core Web Vitals (CWV) to measure user experience, and speed matters. A lot. This pagespeed guide gives you a practical, no-nonsense approach to using Google PageSpeed Insights. We’ll ditch the jargon and show you how to pinpoint and fix speed bottlenecks. Optimize your website, improve user experience, and see positive changes in your PageSpeed Insights SEO and Google PageSpeed SEO.

Your Guide to Core Web Vitals

Before diving into the tool, it’s crucial to understand what Core Web Vitals are. These are a set of specific factors that Google considers important in a webpage’s overall user experience. They are:

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures the time it takes for the main content of a page to load. An ideal LCP measurement is 2.5 seconds or faster.

• First Input Delay (FID): Measures the time it takes for a page to become interactive. An ideal FID is less than 100 milliseconds.

• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures how often users experience unexpected layout shifts. A low CLS is crucial for a good user experience, with an ideal score being less than 0.1.

These metrics are pivotal because they directly impact the user experience, influencing engagement, conversion rates, and ultimately, SEO rankings.

Key Takeaways

• Focus on Core Web Vitals: Improving Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) directly impacts user experience and SEO. Use PageSpeed Insights to pinpoint areas for improvement.
• Regularly Check Your Site’s Performance: Consistent monitoring with PageSpeed Insights helps you catch performance dips early and track the impact of your optimization efforts. Aim for a monthly check-in to stay on top of your site’s speed.
• Start with Easy Wins: Simple optimizations like compressing images and minifying code can make a big difference in your site’s speed. Consider tools like MEGA SEO to automate these tasks and streamline your workflow.

Lab Data vs. Field Data (CrUX)

PageSpeed Insights uses two types of data to evaluate performance. Lab data simulates a page load in a controlled environment, offering consistent, predictable measurements. Think of it as a lab experiment—controlled variables, predictable results. This data is useful for identifying potential bottlenecks. Field data, also known as Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX) data, comes directly from real users interacting with your site on their own devices and networks. This real-world data provides a more accurate picture of how users actually experience your site’s performance.

Key Metrics: Core Web Vitals and Beyond

PageSpeed Insights offers a wealth of information, but the Core Web Vitals are the most important metrics. These metrics are critical for user experience and SEO. They offer a snapshot of how quickly your page loads, how soon users can interact with it, and how stable the layout is during loading. Beyond these core metrics, PSI provides supplemental data that contributes to a comprehensive understanding of your site’s performance.

Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS, INP)

Here’s a breakdown of the Core Web Vitals: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) measures how long it takes for the largest element on the page to load—a key indicator of perceived load time. First Input Delay (FID) tracks the time it takes for the page to respond to a user’s first interaction, such as clicking a button. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) quantifies unexpected layout shifts—those annoying jumps as elements load and reposition. Finally, Interaction to Next Paint (INP) measures the latency of all interactions during a page load, providing a more holistic view of responsiveness.

Other Important Metrics (FCP, TTFB)

In addition to the Core Web Vitals, First Contentful Paint (FCP) measures when the first bit of content appears, giving users a sense that the page is loading. Time to First Byte (TTFB) measures server responsiveness, indicating how quickly the server sends the first byte of data to the browser. These metrics, while not formally part of the Core Web Vitals, offer valuable insights into the overall loading experience.

PSI Scoring and Percentiles (The 75th Percentile)

PageSpeed Insights scores your site on a scale of 0-100 for each metric, categorized as Good (green), Needs Improvement (orange), and Poor (red). The 75th percentile score is especially important. This means 75% of your users experienced a load time at or below that score. Focus on improving this percentile to ensure a positive experience for most of your visitors.

Accessibility, Best Practices, and SEO Scores

PageSpeed Insights provides scores for Performance, Accessibility, Best Practices, and SEO. While Performance, heavily influenced by Core Web Vitals, is paramount, the other areas are also important. Accessibility ensures your site is usable for everyone, including people with disabilities. Best Practices cover general web development recommendations, and the SEO score checks for basic SEO elements. Addressing these areas contributes to a well-rounded, high-performing website. A site that performs well in all these categories offers a better user experience and can positively affect your search rankings. Consider using tools like MEGA SEO to automate many of these optimizations, making the process more efficient. Explore our free tools or book a demo to learn more.

Step 1: Using PageSpeed Insights

To begin with, visit the Google PageSpeed Insights tool. This tool is free and incredibly user-friendly, requiring no advanced setup or technical background.

Accessing the Tool (pagespeed.web.dev)

PageSpeed Insights (PSI) is a free tool from Google that checks your website’s loading speed. It tests performance on both desktop and mobile devices, giving you a comprehensive view. Access PSI at pagespeed.web.dev.

Running the Analysis

Using PSI is easy. Go to pagespeed.web.dev, enter your website’s address, and click “Analyze.” You’ll quickly receive a detailed performance report.

Interpreting the Results (Opportunities, Diagnostics)

The PSI report uses a color-coded system: green (good), yellow (needs improvement), and red (poor). Focus on the Core Web Vitals section, which shows if your site meets Google’s quality standards based on real user data. The report also lists “Opportunities” and “Diagnostics” to help you fix problems. For a deeper understanding, this guide offers helpful information. If you’re looking to automate SEO improvements, platforms like MEGA SEO offer helpful tools and resources.

How to Use PageSpeed Insights:

• Simply enter the URL of the webpage you want to analyze into the input box.

• Click the “Analyze” button.

The tool will then process your request, which may take a few seconds to a minute depending on the website’s complexity and server response time.

The Business Impact of Slow Websites

Slow websites can significantly impact your bottom line. Think about how often you’ve left a website because it took too long to load. You’re not alone. People are impatient, and even a one-second delay can lead to fewer page views and lost sales, as NitroPack research shows. Akamai’s research echoes this, finding that a one-second delay in page response can decrease conversions by 7%. This translates directly to lost revenue and missed opportunities.

For startups, every conversion is critical. A slow website hinders growth and makes it harder to compete. If potential customers are bouncing due to slow loading times, they’re likely heading to competitors. Investing in website speed optimization isn’t just a technical tweak; it’s a crucial business strategy.

The SEO Benefits of a Fast Website

Beyond the immediate business impact, website speed is vital for SEO. Google confirms that site speed and page experience are ranking factors. A faster website creates a better user experience, leading to more engagement and lower bounce rates, according to Google Developers. When users stay on your site longer and explore more pages, it signals to Google that your content is relevant and engaging, positively influencing your search ranking.

Improving Core Web Vitals, measured by PageSpeed Insights, directly addresses these user experience factors. By optimizing your LCP, FID, and CLS, you create a better experience for visitors and improve your website’s visibility in search results. This increased visibility can mean more organic traffic, leads, and conversions. For businesses that want to scale their online presence, prioritizing website speed is essential for long-term SEO success. Platforms like MEGA SEO can automate many of these optimizations, making the process more efficient and accessible. Learn more about MEGA SEO’s features on our Resources page.

Step 2: Understanding Your PageSpeed Insights Results

Once the analysis is complete, PageSpeed Insights will display a report for the entered URL. This report is divided into several sections:

1. Performance Score

• This score is an aggregate of the metrics affecting the performance of the page, including the Core Web Vitals. Scores are categorized as follows: 90-100 (good), 50-89 (needs improvement), and 0-49 (poor).

2. Core Web Vitals Assessment

• Here, you’ll see a specific analysis for each of the Core Web Vitals: LCP, FID, and CLS. Each metric is marked as “Good,” “Needs Improvement,” or “Poor,” based on the thresholds set by Google.

3. Opportunities & Diagnostics

• This section provides actionable recommendations to improve the performance metrics of your page. These might include suggestions like reducing JavaScript execution time, minifying CSS, or improving server response times.

Step 3: Finding Opportunities to Improve PageSpeed

The real value of PageSpeed Insights lies in its detailed suggestions for enhancing page performance. Each recommendation comes with an estimated saving in load time, helping prioritize the changes that might have the most significant impact.

Common Website Speed Problems and Solutions

Let’s explore some frequent culprits behind slow websites and how PageSpeed Insights can help you address them. Remember, the “Opportunities” and “Diagnostics” sections within your PSI report offer tailored advice for your specific site, but these common issues are a great starting point.

Minimize Browser Work

A streamlined website requires less work from the user’s browser, leading to faster load times. PSI often flags issues related to excessive DOM size or inefficient JavaScript execution. Simplifying your website’s code and structure can significantly reduce browser workload, resulting in a smoother user experience. For more complex sites, a platform like MEGA SEO can automate many of these technical SEO improvements, freeing up your time to focus on content and marketing strategy.

Use Modern Image Formats (WebP)

Switching to modern image formats like WebP can drastically reduce image file sizes without sacrificing quality. WebP offers superior compression compared to JPEG or PNG, leading to quicker downloads and improved LCP scores. If you’re managing a large volume of images, consider using tools that automate image optimization.

Remove Render-Blocking Resources

Certain resources, like CSS and JavaScript files, can prevent a webpage from rendering quickly. PSI helps identify these render-blocking resources and suggests ways to optimize their loading, such as deferring non-critical scripts or inlining critical CSS. This can get technical, so explore resources or tools that simplify this process.

Minify Website Files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)

Minifying your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files removes unnecessary characters and whitespace, reducing file sizes without affecting functionality. This simple step can improve download speeds and overall page performance. Many website platforms offer built-in minification options, or you can use online tools.

Optimize Images (Size and Compression)

Large image files are a common cause of slow loading times. PSI recommends optimizing images by compressing them to the smallest possible size without compromising visual quality. Lazy loading, which loads images only when they are visible in the viewport, is another helpful technique. Consider automating this process with image optimization tools or plugins.

Implement Efficient Caching

Caching allows browsers to store static assets, like images and scripts, so they don’t need to be downloaded every time a user visits your site. Proper caching can significantly improve load times for returning visitors. Most content management systems (CMS) offer caching plugins or settings.

Ensure Text Visibility During Font Loading

Waiting for custom fonts to download can delay text rendering, leaving users staring at a blank page. PSI highlights this issue and suggests techniques to ensure text visibility during font loading, improving the perceived performance of your site. This often involves using font-display properties in your CSS.

Set Image Dimensions Correctly

Specifying image dimensions prevents layout shifts as the page loads. Setting image dimensions helps the browser allocate the correct space for images, leading to a smoother, more stable user experience and a better CLS score. Double-check your image tags to ensure width and height attributes are present.

Reduce the Impact of Third-Party Code

Third-party scripts, such as those used for analytics, ads, or social media widgets, can significantly impact page load times. PSI helps identify and minimize the impact of third-party code by suggesting techniques like lazy loading or asynchronous loading. Carefully evaluate which third-party scripts are essential and explore ways to optimize their implementation.

Outdated Information Warning (Avoid Old PSI v4 Advice)

A quick note: if you’re coming across advice referencing PSI version 4 (or older), proceed with caution. The web evolves quickly, and older optimization strategies may no longer be relevant or even accurate.

List of Outdated Rules

Google updates its algorithms and best practices regularly. Sticking to current PageSpeed Insights rules ensures you’re using the most effective optimization strategies. Disregarding outdated advice will save you time and frustration. For startups looking to stay ahead of the curve, MEGA SEO offers automated tools and resources to keep your website optimized with the latest best practices. Check out our resources for more information.

How to Proceed:

• Prioritize Quick Wins:

  Start with changes that require minimal effort but could significantly impact performance scores. For example, optimizing images can be a relatively easy task that dramatically affects load times.

• Address Each Core Web Vital:

  Make specific changes targeted at improving LCP, FID, and CLS. For instance, to improve LCP, you might need to defer non-critical CSS and JavaScript.

• Technical Improvements:

  For more technical recommendations, such as reducing the impact of third-party code or server-side rendering, you might need the assistance of a developer.

Step 4: Implementing Changes and Tracking Progress

After making the recommended changes, use PageSpeed Insights again to re-evaluate your page. Improvements in your scores should reflect the effectiveness of the changes implemented. Moreover, it’s crucial to monitor these metrics regularly, as web technologies and content updates can alter your site’s performance over time.

Setting Realistic Goals (Prioritize User Experience)

Chasing a perfect 100/100 PageSpeed Insights score can feel like a digital marathon, but it’s not the finish line. A positive user experience is the real prize. Focus on making your site fast and easy to use. Use PSI as a roadmap to identify problem areas and fix them, but don’t get hung up on the overall number. Passing those Core Web Vitals is a solid benchmark.

Think of it this way: a site can score perfectly in a lab setting (like PSI) but still feel slow for real users. Factors like network conditions and device capabilities play a role in real-world performance. That’s why prioritizing actual user experience is key. If your site is snappy and responsive, you’re on the right track, even if your PSI score isn’t perfect. For startups and smaller businesses, consider exploring tools like MEGA SEO’s free tools to streamline the process of improving Core Web Vitals and overall site performance.

Regular Check-ups (Every 28 Days)

Think of your website like a car—it needs regular tune-ups to keep running smoothly. The same goes for your site’s performance. Make it a habit to review your PSI report roughly every 28 days. This regular check-in helps you spot any performance dips and address them quickly. It also lets you track your progress over time and see the impact of the changes you’ve made.

Consistency is key here. Setting a recurring reminder can help you stay on top of these check-ups. If you’re looking for a more automated approach to SEO, platforms like MEGA SEO offer features like automated article updates and technical SEO improvements, which can help maintain and improve your site’s performance over the long haul. This can be especially helpful for busy startups and businesses that need to scale their SEO efforts efficiently.

Step 5: Looking Beyond PageSpeed Insights

While Google PageSpeed Insights is a powerful tool for assessing Core Web Vitals, it’s also beneficial to use additional tools like Lighthouse, Chrome DevTools, and WebPageTest for a more comprehensive analysis. These tools can provide different perspectives and additional data points to further refine your website’s performance.

Next Steps for PageSpeed SEO

Optimizing for Core Web Vitals is not just about improving numbers in a tool; it’s about enhancing the real-world user experience on your website. By effectively using Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and rectify issues affecting these vitals, you can significantly boost your site’s user experience and SEO performance. Remember, in the realm of SEO, every millisecond of improvement counts, and enhancing user experience is key to staying ahead in the competitive landscape of search rankings.

How MEGA SEO Can Help

Consider using MEGA SEO to automate your SEO efforts, including page speed optimization. Our platform helps with image optimization, technical SEO improvements, and content optimization, all contributing factors to a faster website. Slow websites lose businesses money, and even a one-second delay can significantly reduce sales and page views (NitroPack). By focusing on Core Web Vitals—Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)—MEGA SEO ensures your site meets the critical performance metrics Google considers essential for a positive user experience (Google for Developers).

Think of MEGA SEO as your all-in-one SEO toolbox. We handle the technical heavy lifting, like image optimization and code minification, so you can focus on creating great content. For trickier technical recommendations, like reducing the impact of third-party code—tasks that might usually require a developer (Google for Developers)—MEGA SEO simplifies the process. These improvements become accessible even without deep technical expertise. Regular monitoring and adjustments are key. After implementing changes, re-evaluate your page to see their effectiveness (Google for Developers). Explore our free tools to get started or book a demo for a personalized walkthrough.

Related Articles

• An Introductory Guide to Web Core Vitals and Their Impact on SEO Performance – MEGA SEO | Blog
• A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Google PageSpeed Insights for Assessing Core Web Vitals and Enhancing SEO – MEGA SEO | Blog
• Mastering Google’s Core Web Vitals for Enhanced SEO and Site Speed – MEGA SEO | Blog
• Advanced Technical SEO Techniques: Strategies for Enhancing Core Web Vitals Metrics – MEGA SEO | Blog
• Leveraging Web Core Vitals Analytics for a More Effective SEO Strategy – MEGA SEO | Blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Core Web Vitals important for my website? Core Web Vitals directly affect how users experience your site. A slow, glitchy site frustrates visitors and makes them leave. Google uses these vitals as ranking factors, so good scores mean better visibility in search results, leading to more traffic and potential customers.

What’s the difference between lab data and field data in PageSpeed Insights? Lab data is like a controlled test in a perfect environment. It helps identify potential issues but doesn’t fully represent real-world conditions. Field data, or CrUX data, comes from real users interacting with your site on their own devices and networks, giving you a more accurate picture of their experience.

My PageSpeed Insights score isn’t perfect. Should I panic? A perfect score is great, but aim for a good user experience, not just a number. Prioritize fixing the issues flagged in the report, especially those related to Core Web Vitals. If your site feels fast and responsive to your visitors, you’re on the right track.

How often should I check my PageSpeed Insights scores? Check your scores about once a month. This helps you catch any performance dips and track the impact of your optimization efforts. Regular check-ups ensure your site stays healthy and performs well for your users.

What if I need help implementing the technical recommendations from PageSpeed Insights? Some recommendations might require developer help. If you’re not comfortable with the technical aspects, consider using a platform like MEGA SEO, which can automate many of these improvements, making them accessible even without coding expertise. You can also consult with a web developer to help implement more complex changes.