You need Google to value your website, and that is a fact. First and foremost, your site needs to deliver a fast, smooth, and enjoyable user experience in order to perform well in search results. How your website performs in the Core Web Vitals department can impact directly your site’s user experience, search ranking, and even your ad revenue. That is why it’s important to follow best practices and detect errors quickly to understand and optimize these metrics.
What are Core Web Vitals and why they matter?
Core Web Vitals are some of the most important set of metrics for publishers. These metrics represent the real user experience involving loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability. Along other important metrics (Bounce rate, Scroll depth…), they are essential for website owners who want to improve website experience and rank higher in SERPs.
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
Largest Contentful Paint or LCP measures the loading performance. It shows how long it takes a webpage to start loading until the largest text block, video, or image is rendered within the visitor’s viewport.
Interazione con la Prossima Pinta
Interaction to Next Paint or INP measures responsiveness. This metric keeps track of how fast your website can provide feedback to users’ interactions.
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
Cumulative Layout Shift or CLS measures visual stability. It tracks the unexpected shifts in your website’s layout.
Common Core Web Vital Issues
Here are some of the issues that can hurt your Core Web Vitals performance scores:
Slow Loading Speed (LCP)
Loading speed is key, now that we live in an era where attention spans are shorter than ever. It is essential to ensure that images are no too heavy and hosting performance is optimized. If users get a blank space or slow loading page, they are likely to leave.
Poor user interactivity (INP)
User interactivity refers to delays in response when users interact with elements such as buttons and other clickable elements. Too many plugins or heavy scripts could also create delays. All of this may make users feel as if the site is broken even when it is working correctly.
Unstable visual elements (CLS)
Unoptimized images (LCP and CLS)
Images are key when it comes to user engagement with the page. Uncompressed files or incorrect formats can negatively impact performance as they should only take 2.5 to load. Affecting both user experience and page speed.
Overloaded with external information (INP and LCP)
Overloading a site with too many third-party tools such as: widgets, analytics scripts, chat tools or advertising pixels, adds weight and complexity.
Weak mobile performance (LCP, INP and CLS)
Mobile optimization is essential for both ranking and user experience. While desktop performance may be strong, mobile layouts can suffer from heavy pop-ups and small or unstable text. Strongly affecting rankings and conversions.
Ready to start optimizing your site?
Now that you are a true expert on Core Web Vitals, there is no excuse to take your site to the next level and boost its full potential. If you still have any issues or doubts make sure to hit us up, our experts are ready to help you at any time!
