HOW TO: Start Optimising Core Web Vitals on Regular Basis?

For those looking to refine their approach to website speed optimisation, this article offers a good look at interpreting the results from Page Speed Insights, providing a structured methodology to turn data into decisive action. Moreover, it navigates the complexities of integrating Core Web Vitals into website monitoring, underscoring the potential costs and challenges, while also illuminating the perils of ignoring these vital metrics.

In essence, this content is an invaluable guide for industry professionals and marketing professionals alike, brimming with best practices, strategic advice, and a thorough understanding of the landscape of website performance optimisation. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or an aspiring digital marketer, this is a must-read article that promises to enhance your skill set and empower your online activity.

How much does it cost to use Page Speed Insights for website speed audits?

Page Speed Insights is a tool developed by Google that provides website owners and developers with a comprehensive analysis of the loading performance of their web pages. It is an invaluable tool in the quest for website optimisation and enhanced user experience. The good news for anyone looking to utilise this service is that Page Speed Insights is completely free of charge. It is free to run audits on this platform, which makes it an easily-accessible option for individuals, small businesses, and large corporations alike.

The accessibility of Page Speed Insights democratises the ability to gauge and improve website performance, ensuring that even those with limited resources can expect to achieve a better online presence. By providing detailed reports on both mobile and desktop performance, along with actionable recommendations for improvement, Page Speed Insights enables website owners to make data-driven decisions without the barrier of cost.

It’s important to note that while the tool itself is free, implementing the recommended changes may incur costs if external expertise or additional resources are required. However, the initial step of conducting the audit and receiving the insights does not require any financial investment. To access Page Speed Insights, one simply needs to visit the Google Page Speed Insights website, enter the URL of the page to be tested, and the tool will do the rest.

What are the most common issues found during website speed audits?

Website speed audits are critical for identifying bottlenecks that hamper a website’s performance. Several common issues tend to surface during these audits:

1. Large Images: High-resolution images that are not properly optimised can significantly slow down page loading times. Large image files take longer to download, especially on mobile networks or slower internet connections.
2. Unminified or Bulky Code: Websites with excessive JavaScript and CSS files can experience delayed parsing and execution, leading to slower load times. Clean, efficient code is essential for optimal performance.
3. Excessive HTTP Requests: Each element on a page, such as scripts, stylesheets, and images, requires an HTTP request to load. Too many requests can create slow down the website significantly.
4. Render-Blocking Resources: Certain resources, like CSS and JavaScript, can block the rendering of the page until they are fully loaded. Optimising the critical rendering path can improve loading speed.
5. Lack of Browser Caching: Failing to properly utilise browser caching means that returning visitors must download the same resources each time they visit the page, rather than reusing cached resources from their first visit.
6. Non-Optimised Database Queries: For websites relying on a database, inefficient queries can lead to longer processing times and delayed page rendering.
7. Poor Server Response Time: The time it takes for a server to respond to a request can be affected by hosting quality, resource allocation, and server configuration.

Addressing these common issues is crucial for improving website speed and overall user experience. A detailed audit will highlight these and other potential areas for improvement.

Which tool should I choose for website speed audits: Page Speed Insights or Looker?

When choosing a tool for website speed audits, it’s essential to consider the specific features and capabilities of each tool to determine which best aligns with your needs. Page Speed Insights is a dedicated tool for analysing page loading performance and offers detailed recommendations for improvements. It is a highly specialised service provided by Google that focuses on front-end performance metrics such as the loading times of various page elements and overall user experience.

On the other hand, Looker is a business intelligence and big data analytics platform that goes beyond website speed audits. While Looker can be used to analyse web performance data, it is not a specialised tool for conducting website speed audits. Looker is better suited for businesses that require comprehensive data analysis and visualisation across various aspects of their operations.

Therefore, for the specific purpose of conducting website speed audits, Page Speed Insights would be the more appropriate choice. It provides a user-friendly interface, immediate results, and actionable insights that are specifically tailored to web performance optimisation. Looker might be considered if you are looking for a broader business intelligence solution that can incorporate web performance metrics as part of a larger data analysis strategy.

Which Core Web Vitals should I focus on improving first for the best user experience?

The Core Web Vitals are a set of specific factors that Google considers important in a webpage’s overall user experience. These metrics are part of Google’s page experience signals used in ranking websites on its search engine. The Core Web Vitals include Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). Improving these metrics is crucial for providing a better user experience and potentially improving search engine rankings.

For immediate impact on user experience, we would advise you to focus on the following Core Web Vitals in this order:

1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): This measures the time it takes for the largest content element visible in the viewport to become fully rendered. Since this metric reflects the perceived load speed of the page, improving LCP can significantly enhance the user’s perception of how fast your page loads.
2. First Input Delay (FID): FID measures the time from when a user first interacts with a page to the time when the browser is able to respond to that interaction. Improving FID ensures that the page is usable and responsive, which is crucial for keeping users engaged.
3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): CLS measures the stability of a page as it loads. A low CLS score means the page is stable and elements do not shift around as the page loads, contributing to a more pleasant user experience.

While all three Core Web Vitals are important, starting with LCP can have a more visible impact on perceived performance. However, it’s important to measure and improve all Core Web Vitals to provide a balanced and responsive experience for users.

How do you interpret the results from Page Speed Insights?

Interpreting the results from Page Speed Insights involves understanding the various metrics and recommendations provided by the tool. The results are divided into different sections, each offering insights into performance and opportunities for enhancement.

The score at the top of the report provides an overall assessment of page performance on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better performance. Scores are categorised as follows:

• Good: A score of 90 or above.
• Needs Improvement: A score between 50 and 89.
• Poor: A score below 50.

The report also includes Core Web Vitals, which are highlighted with a blue badge and reflect LCP, FID, and CLS metrics. These vitals are critical for understanding how users experience the page.

Beyond the score and vitals, Page Speed Insights provides a set of diagnostic data and opportunities. Diagnostics offer insights into more technical aspects of the page’s performance, while opportunities suggest specific areas where improvements can be made to speed up the page.

The results also include information on field data, which represents real-world usage, and lab data, which is collected in a controlled environment. Both sets of data are valuable, with field data offering a more realistic picture of user experience and lab data providing a consistent baseline for testing.

Finally, it’s important to review the detailed recommendations provided by Page Speed Insights. These recommendations often include actions such as optimising images, minifying code, and leveraging browser caching. Implementing these suggestions can lead to significant improvements in page speed and user experience.

Overall, interpreting the results from Page Speed Insights requires a careful examination of all sections of the report. By understanding and acting upon the information provided, website owners can make informed decisions to enhance their website’s performance.

Where can I find reviews for Page Speed Insights and its accuracy in website speed audits?

Page Speed Insights (PSI) is a popular tool offered by Google that analyses the content of a web page, then generates suggestions to make that page faster. Reviews for the accuracy and effectiveness of PSI can be found in several places:

1. Professional Blogs and Websites: Experts in the field of web development and SEO often publish reviews and case studies based on their experiences with tools like Page Speed Insights. Websites such as Moz, Search Engine Journal, and Smashing Magazine are known for providing in-depth analyses and reviews.
2. Forums and Community Discussions: Web development and SEO forums such as Stack Overflow, Reddit’s r/webdev, and the Google Webmaster Central Help Community are platforms where users share their personal experiences and opinions about PSI.
3. Software Review Platforms: Platforms like G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius allow users to leave reviews on various software, including web performance and optimization tools. These reviews are often from verified users with hands-on experience.
4. Social Media: Social media platforms, including Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, can be a source of reviews, especially from influencers and thought leaders in the web development community.
5. YouTube: Video reviews and tutorials on YouTube can provide visual insights into how PSI works and its accuracy, with users often sharing screen recordings of their audits.

When seeking reviews for Page Speed Insights, it is important to consider the source and date of the information, as the tool is regularly updated by Google, which may affect its features and performance over time.

What is the cost of integrating Core Web Vitals into my website monitoring?

Integrating Core Web Vitals into website monitoring can vary in cost depending on several factors:

1. Existing Monitoring Tools: If you are already using a web monitoring service that supports Core Web Vitals, the integration might be included in your current subscription without any additional cost. However, if an upgrade is required, there may be an increase in your monthly or annual fee.
2. Google Tools: Google offers free tools such as Page Speed Insights, Chrome User Experience Report, and Lighthouse that measure Core Web Vitals. The use of these tools themselves does not incur a direct cost.
3. Third-party Tools: There are third-party tools available that offer more advanced features or easier integration. The cost for these can range from free for basic services to hundreds or even thousands of pounds for enterprise-level offerings. Examples include WebPageTest, GTmetrix, and Pingdom.

The best approach is to evaluate your specific needs, the size of your website, and your technical capabilities before choosing a solution. You may also need to consider the cost of any development work required to implement the necessary changes based on the insights provided by monitoring Core Web Vitals.

What problems can arise if Core Web Vitals are ignored?

Ignoring Core Web Vitals can lead to several problems, some of which can have a direct impact on the success and performance of a website:

1. User Experience: Core Web Vitals are focused on user experience. Ignoring them can result in a website that is slow, unresponsive, or unstable, leading to a poor user experience and increased bounce rates.
2. SEO Ranking: Google has incorporated Core Web Vitals into its ranking algorithm. Not paying attention to them could lead to a lower search engine ranking, making it harder for potential visitors to find your site.
3. Conversion Rates: A poor user experience due to neglected Core Web Vitals can lead to lower conversion rates as users may abandon the site before completing a purchase or signing up for a service.
4. Brand Perception: A website that performs poorly can negatively impact the perception of a brand, as users may equate website quality with product or service quality.

Addressing Core Web Vitals is crucial for maintaining a competitive and user-friendly online presence. Ignoring these metrics can have far-reaching consequences for website performance and business success.

How do Core Web Vitals compare to other website performance metrics?

Core Web Vitals are a subset of web performance metrics that focus on user experience. They include three specific metrics:

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures loading performance.
• First Input Delay (FID): Measures interactivity.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures visual stability.

While Core Web Vitals are crucial, there are other performance metrics that are also important, such as Time to First Byte (TTFB), which measures the responsiveness of a web server, and Speed Index, which measures how quickly content is visually displayed during page load. Core Web Vitals are particularly important because they are directly tied to Google’s ranking algorithm and reflect real-world user experience.

Other metrics may focus on aspects such as the total page size, number of requests, or server configuration. The key difference is that while most traditional metrics focus on technical performance, Core Web Vitals are specifically designed to measure the human-centric aspects of site performance.

Which is the best tool to monitor and improve Core Web Vitals?

The “best” tool to monitor and improve Core Web Vitals can depend on your specific needs, budget, and technical expertise. However, several tools are frequently recommended by web developers and SEO experts:

1. Google’s Lighthouse: An open-source, automated tool for improving the quality of web pages. It has audits for performance, accessibility, progressive web apps, and more.
2. Page Speed Insights: Powered by Lighthouse, it provides performance metrics and insights for any given URL, including Core Web Vitals.
3. Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX): Provides real-world user experience data on how visitors interact with websites.
4. WebPageTest: An advanced tool that allows for custom testing scenarios and provides detailed performance data, including Core Web Vitals.
5. GTmetrix: Offers a suite of features to monitor performance, including Core Web Vitals, with easy-to-understand reports.

Choosing the right tool often involves trying out a few to see which one fits best with your workflow and provides the data you need in the most accessible way. Many developers and site owners use a combination of these tools to get a comprehensive understanding of their site’s performance.

How do you set up Looker (Google Data Studio) for tracking website performance?

To set up Looker, now part of Google Cloud, for tracking website performance, you must go through a series of steps to connect your data, prepare your model, and set up dashboards. Looker allows you to analyse and visualise data from various sources, including your website analytics. Although Looker itself is not directly used for tracking website performance, it can be integrated with Google Analytics or other data sources that track website performance.

Firstly, you must ensure that you have access to Looker and have the necessary permissions to create new connections and projects. If you are using Google Analytics as your data source, you should also have access to your Google Analytics account.

1. Connect Your Data: Begin by adding a new connection in Looker to your database or service where your website data is collected, such as Google Analytics, BigQuery, or another supported database.
2. Create a Project: Once the connection is established, create a new project in Looker. This involves defining your data model by specifying the dimensions (attributes) and measures (metrics) that you want to track.
3. Explore Your Data: Use Looker’s Explore function to build queries and look at your data. This step helps ensure that you are pulling in the correct data and that it is structured appropriately.
4. Build Dashboards: With your data model in place, start creating dashboards. These are collections of visualisations that will display your website performance data. You can use Looker’s pre-built visualisation options or create custom visualizations as needed.
5. Set Up Reports: In addition to dashboards, you can set up Looker to send reports at regular intervals. This keeps you and your team updated on website performance without having to manually check Looker.

It’s important to note that Looker empowers users to create complex data models and visualisations, so a thorough understanding of both your data and Looker’s features is beneficial for setting up effective website performance tracking.

Where to find comprehensive reviews of Looker for website analytics?

To find comprehensive reviews of Looker for website analytics, you should look towards trusted industry websites, software review platforms, and community forums. Such reviews can provide insights into the tool’s usability, features, and effectiveness when used for website analytics purposes.

Here are some sources where you can find reviews:

1. Software Review Platforms: Websites like G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot have user-generated reviews that can give you an idea of what real users think about Looker.
2. Industry Analyst Reports: Research firms such as Gartner or Forrester often provide in-depth analysis and reviews of business intelligence tools, including Looker.
3. Community Forums: Websites like Reddit Analytics or the Looker Community can also be a valuable resource where users share their experiences and opinions.
4. Industry Blogs and Websites: Specific industry blogs or tech websites like TechCrunch or Datanami occasionally provide reviews or cover stories on analytics tools.

When reading reviews, it is important to look for the most recent ones as software tools evolve quickly, and new features or updates can significantly change user experience. Also, consider the source’s credibility and the detail of the review to ensure it is comprehensive and unbiased.

What factors should be considered when conducting a comparison between website speed audit tools?

Comparing website speed audit tools requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure that the selected tool meets your specific needs. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Accuracy of Data: The tool should provide accurate and reliable performance data. Since decisions will be based on this data, its correctness is paramount.
2. Depth of Analysis: A good tool should offer a comprehensive analysis that goes beyond surface-level metrics. It should be able to diagnose issues at a granular level.
3. User-Friendliness: The tool must be easy to use and understand, even for users who may not have advanced technical knowledge.
4. Integration Capabilities: Consider whether the tool can integrate with other systems and tools you are using, such as content management systems or analytics platforms.
5. Cost: Evaluate the pricing model of the tool to ensure that it fits within your budget. Some tools offer free versions with limited features, while others are subscription-based.
6. Support and Documentation: Adequate support and comprehensive documentation are essential, especially when dealing with complex performance issues.
7. Customization: The ability to customize reports and audits to focus on specific areas of interest is a valuable feature.
8. Real-time Monitoring: For ongoing performance management, real-time monitoring capabilities can be crucial.
9. Community and Ecosystem: A strong community and ecosystem around a tool mean that you’ll have access to a wealth of shared knowledge and resources.
10. Scalability: The tool should be able to handle your website’s growth and scale up as necessary.
11. Updates and Development: The tool should be actively maintained and updated to keep up with web technology changes.

It’s essential to weigh these factors according to your priorities, as different websites may require different features from their speed audit tools.

What are the best practices for using Looker to monitor website performance?

To effectively use Looker to monitor website performance, it’s important to follow best practices that ensure you get the most out of the tool. Here are some best practices:

1. Define Clear Objectives: Before using Looker, clarify what website performance metrics are most important to your business objectives.
2. Data Accuracy: Ensure that the data being pulled into Looker is accurate and clean. This may involve regular data validation and cleaning processes.
3. Use LookML: Take advantage of Looker’s modelling language, LookML, to define and manage the data relationships and calculations that are specific to your website’s performance tracking needs.
4. Custom Dashboards: Create custom dashboards tailored to the specific needs of different stakeholders in your organisation.
5. Regularly Review Metrics: Set up a schedule to regularly review and analyse website performance metrics to catch issues early and track progress over time.
6. Collaborate with Team Members: Use Looker’s sharing and collaboration features to ensure that relevant team members have access to the data they need to make informed decisions.
7. Act on Insights: Use the insights gained from Looker to make data-driven decisions and implement changes to improve website performance.

Following these best practices will help you use Looker more effectively to monitor and improve your website’s performance.

How do you address poor Core Web Vitals scores?

Addressing poor Core Web Vitals scores involves identifying issues, implementing optimisations, and monitoring the results. Google’s Core Web Vitals consist of three specific page speed and user interaction measurements: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). Improving these metrics can have a positive impact on user experience and potentially your site’s search ranking.

To address poor scores, follow these steps:

1. Conduct an Audit: Use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, or Chrome DevTools to identify the problems causing poor Core Web Vitals scores.
2. Optimise LCP: To improve LCP, ensure that the largest content element on the page loads quickly. This may involve optimizing server response times, resource loading strategies, and image optimisation.
3. Improve FID: To enhance FID, reduce JavaScript execution time. This might include minimising or deferring JavaScript, reducing third-party code impact, and using a web worker.
4. Minimise CLS: To minimise CLS, ensure that elements do not shift unexpectedly during page load. Techniques include specifying image and video dimensions,

How do you conduct a thorough website speed audit using Page Speed Insights?

To conduct a thorough website speed audit using Google’s Page Speed Insights, you should follow a systematic approach that not only involves running the tool but also interpreting the results and planning actionable steps for improvement. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Navigate to the Page Speed Insights website by entering https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/ into your web browser.
2. Enter the URL of the website you want to audit into the input box provided on the Page Speed Insights page.
3. Click the “Analyse” button to start the audit process. The tool will then fetch the website and analyse its content for both mobile and desktop performance.
4. Once the analysis is complete, review the generated report which provides a score out of 100, representing the performance of the webpage. A score of 90 or above is considered good, 50 to 90 needs improvement, and below 50 is classified as poor.
5. Examine the different sections of the report starting with the Core Web Vitals assessment which indicates whether the page meets the recommended thresholds for the largest contentful paint (LCP), first input delay (FID), and cumulative layout shift (CLS).
6. Look into the Opportunities section which lists specific suggestions for improving page load times. These are actionable and often include reducing image sizes, eliminating render-blocking resources, and minifying CSS and JavaScript.
7. Review the Diagnostics section for additional information about the performance of your application. This section provides insights into more technical aspects that might not be direct opportunities for improvement but could be useful for developers.
8. Analyse the Passed Audits section to understand what aspects of the page are already optimized.
9. It is important to run the audit several times and at different times of day to account for variability in internet traffic and server response times.
10. Document the findings and prioritise the recommendations based on their potential impact and the resources required to implement them.

After conducting the audit, you should have a clear understanding of the areas that need improvement and a list of prioritized actions to take. Regular audits should be conducted to track progress and ensure ongoing optimisation.

Where can I read reviews about the effectiveness of Core Web Vitals improvements on website performance?

Reviews and case studies on the effectiveness of Core Web Vitals improvements can be found on a variety of platforms:

• web.dev/vitals/ – A website by Google providing comprehensive information on Core Web Vitals, including case studies.
• Search Engine Land – A news site that covers search engine marketing and SEO, often featuring articles about the impact of Core Web Vitals on website performance.
• Search Engine Journal – This site publishes content on SEO and marketing, and includes discussions and reviews of Core Web Vitals.
• Moz Blog – A well-known SEO blog that provides insights into industry trends, including the effectiveness of Core Web Vitals.
• Google’s Search Central Blog – Offers official updates from Google, with posts that sometimes review the impact of Core Web Vitals on website performance.
• Reddit’s web development community – A platform where developers and SEO specialists share their experiences and discuss the effectiveness of Core Web Vitals improvements.

When looking for reviews, it’s important to consider the source’s credibility and expertise in the field. Case studies from reputable sources can provide valuable insights into the real-world impact of Core Web Vitals improvements.

What are the best methods to improve website speed according to Page Speed Insights recommendations?

Improving website speed is crucial for user experience and SEO. According to Page Speed Insights recommendations, several best methods can be employed to enhance site speed:

1. Optimise images by compressing them without losing quality and by using modern formats like WebP.
2. Minimise CSS and JavaScript file sizes through minification and by removing unnecessary code.
3. Eliminate render-blocking resources by deferring non-critical CSS and JavaScript or by inlining critical resources.
4. Leverage browser caching by setting appropriate cache headers to reduce load times for repeat visitors.
5. Improve server response time by optimising your server configuration, using a content delivery network (CDN), or upgrading your hosting if necessary.
6. Optimise the critical rendering path by structuring your HTML to prioritise visible content and defer loading of non-critical elements.
7. Use lazy loading for images and iframes to delay loading of off-screen resources until they’re needed.
8. Minimise the impact of third-party code by auditing and possibly removing non-essential third-party scripts.
9. Implement AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) for a faster mobile experience, if applicable and suitable for your website.
10. Use HTTP/2 for improved loading efficiency over the network.

Implementing these methods requires a combination of technical SEO, web development skills, and a strategic approach to prioritise actions based on their potential impact.

How do you integrate Core Web Vitals into Looker (Google Data Studio) for better analytics?

Integrating Core Web Vitals into Looker (formerly Google Data Studio) can be accomplished by connecting the relevant data sources and creating a dashboard that reflects these metrics. Here’s how to do it:

1. Ensure you have Core Web Vitals data being collected in Google Analytics 4 or another data source that can be connected to Looker.
2. Log in to Looker and create a new report or dashboard.
3. Use the “Add Data” option to connect to your data source where Core Web Vitals metrics are stored.
4. Once the data source is connected, you can create various visualisations such as charts and tables to represent Core Web Vitals data.
5. Customise your report by adding filters, date ranges, and segments to drill down into specific metrics like LCP, FID, and CLS.
6. Use calculated fields if needed to create more complex metrics or to combine data from different sources.
7. Design the layout of your dashboard to highlight the most important Core Web Vitals metrics and trends.
8. Share the dashboard with your team or embed it on your website for easy access to performance data.

By integrating Core Web Vitals into Looker, you can monitor your site’s performance in real-time and make data-driven decisions to improve user experience.

What are the most effective ways to improve your Page Speed Insights score?

To improve your Page Speed Insights score effectively, you should focus on key performance optimizations:

1. Optimise content efficiency by compressing images, text, and other resources to reduce their file size.
2. Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML to eliminate unnecessary characters without changing their functionality.
3. Remove render-blocking JavaScript and CSS in above-the-fold content to enable faster rendering.
4. Implement lazy loading for images and iframes to load only when they enter the viewport.
5. Leverage caching policies to store frequently accessed resources on the user’s device.
6. Improve server response times by optimising your server, utilizing a CDN, or choosing a faster hosting service.
7. Reduce the number of redirects to minimise additional HTTP request-response cycles.
8. Use asynchronous loading for CSS and JavaScript to prevent them from blocking page rendering.
9. Optimise the use of web fonts to prevent invisible text while web fonts load (Flash Of Invisible Text – FOIT).
10. Consider using AMP to provide a streamlined version of your web pages for mobile users.

It’s important to regularly monitor your Page Speed Insights score after making changes to track improvements and further optimize your website’s performance.

In conclusion, the importance of website speed cannot be overstated in today’s digital ecosystem. Page Speed Insights by Google is an extraordinary, cost-free tool that empowers businesses of all sizes to enhance their online performance and user experience. It provides an in-depth analysis of web pages, highlighting areas for improvement with actionable solutions. As we have explored, addressing common issues such as large images, unminified code, and excessive HTTP requests can significantly improve your website’s loading times and, consequently, your user satisfaction and SEO rankings.

The choice is clear: for a comprehensive website speed audit, Page Speed Insights stands out as the preferred tool, offering precise recommendations to optimise your site effectively. Complemented by Core Web Vitals, you’re equipped with the critical metrics required to excel in user experience and search engine visibility.

Don’t let your digital potential be hampered by slow website performance. Embrace the insights provided by Page Speed Insights and make the necessary enhancements to ensure your website is swift, efficient, and poised for online success. Visit Page Speed Insights today, and take the first step towards a faster, more competitive web presence. Act now and unlock the full potential of your digital platform.