If the notion of page speed conjures ideas really complicated technology in your head, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Page speed is and always has been integral to search engine optimization (SEO), which means that understanding the basics is definitely worth the effort. You get that web pages are loaded, and if you also get that the ones that load more quickly are awarded bonus points, you’re ahead of the game. Things get more complicated from here, but the experienced digital marketing professionals at The Web Guys can help you get your site get to where it needs to be.
The Document Object Model
Put simply, your page’s Document Object Model (DOM) represents a technologically specific means for allowing all those programming languages out there to connect with your page. When a searcher punches in your website’s details, that internet explorer elicits a domain name system (DNS) request that leads said searcher to your domain name’s provider. This ultimately sends the server in question to the location of your files – where the magic begins. Rarely, however, is this the end of the story. Usually, your site’s DOM will require more nuanced input from your server in order to bring up your site, and this is often where page delays are born.
What Could the Problem Be?
Unfortunately, sometimes the most beautifully-designed and informative sites load the slowest. In many cases, the things that make these sites so visually attractive are exactly why they have poor load times. Some of the things that can slow a site down include:
- Picture This – Large photo files can dramatically slow your page speed.
- Hospitality – If your page host has issues, your page will also have speed issues.
- Party of Three – Plugins, widgets, apps, and other third-party scripts can slow things way the heck down.
- There’s a Theme Emerging – Your website’s overall theme – and other large files – can contribute to delays.
- Redirections – The more redirects (or hoops that must be jumped through) associated with your page, the more time involved.
Fortunately, there are ways to tweak even the most graphics-intensive sites that allow them to load more quickly, and you should never assume your website is just too “busy” to load fast. If your website suffers from poor load times, you should certainly discuss it with a digital marketing professional.
Google Lends a Hand
Google rewards sites that provide a pleasant user experience (UX), of which page load speed is a part. Typically, good load speed is two or three seconds, but less is always more. It must be noted that guidance is relative – if your closest competitor’s page speed has you beat by a full second, it’s time to rethink your game plan. While you know better than to compare yourself to others in the personal realm, when it comes to your online presence, shying away from comparisons doesn’t do your business a whole lot of good.
The Chrome User Experience Report
Things get real with the Chrome User Experience Report, which provides real users’ experience metrics as they relate to accessing popular web destinations. Consider this a measuring stick for your own site.
Chrome DevTools
Yep, Chrome DevTools is all about providing you with the web developer tools you need to make your site pop, and this includes reducing drag. One of its best time-saving offerings is Lighthouse, which allows you to identify and fix common problems that affect your site’s performance, accessibility, and user experience. Suffice to say that, with that, Google said a mouthful. The options offered by Chrome DevTools are nearly limitless, so pause and take a careful look around.
PageSpeed Insights
Google’s tools are the gift that keeps on giving, and PageSpeed Insights is but just another example. This handy Google offering carefully parses your web page’s content and subsequently generates helpful suggestions to keep things moving. This is Google’s way of helping you put your performance anxiety to rest.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
As with all things internet, you’re going have to deal with some cute phraseology. With this in mind, we consider First Meaningful Paint (FMP), which is but one of the six metrics that are dutifully tracked in the aforementioned Lighthouse report’s performance section. Each of these six metrics captures a different component of a page’s load speed, and each should be considered in relation to your own unique website. Needless to say, there’s a lot going on here, but a digital marketing professional can help you navigate your best path forward.
Increase Page Speed: You Can Do It
Increasing your page speed may seem like magic, but the fact is that it’s doable. The longer it takes to load your page, the lower your site will rank against your competitors. You do, however, have options, including all of the following:
- Elegantly compress your files
- Optimize your code by implementing Google recommendations
- Reduce your redirects
- Minimize – or bypass – your dependence on JavaScript
- Improve your server response time by eliminating performance bottlenecks
- Employ a content distribution network (CDN) – a network that distributes your content delivery load (thus providing more expedient access to your site)
- Optimize those images by ensuring they fall within the parameters of decreased load speed
- Keep on learning
It sounds like a lot because it is a lot, but an experienced digital marketing specialist can help you not only optimize your page speed but also optimize your page itself – with content that resonates with the viewing audience.
Our Digital Marketing Experts Can Help You Optimize that Page Speed
Page speed is important when it comes to getting your site to rank, and the digital marketing pros at The Web Guys totally get that. We’re standing by to help you get up to speed with online offerings that pop. Speedy deliveries never lose their charm, so please don’t delay contacting us 317-805-4933 for more information about us or our digital marketing services today today.
