Core Web Vitals: What are they and why do you need to optimize them?

Do you know what happened recently?

I was trying to track the performance of one of our website’s landing pages at WisdmLabs by checking how many relevant queries is my page ranking for.

And I observed that the page had lost rankings for about 50 keywords.

Now this was a huge loss for us. My whole team was scratching their brains trying to figure out what had gone wrong.

• Did we make any sudden changes to the landing page’s content?
• Did it happen with all of our landing pages?
• Is the content not good?
• Do we need to publish more articles?

We asked ourselves all possible questions until finally, we thought of checking the core web vitals of that page to see if scores were in the normal range.

And guess what? They were below the normal range.

So we quickly got our technical team to fix it for us and now it’s working just fine!

What I’m trying to tell you is that if you’re also facing a similar challenge then consider checking the core web vitals of your target page. Go to PageSpeed Insights to check that.

If you don’t understand what Core Web Vitals are, don’t worry this article is for you.

Today we’ll explore what are Core Web Vitals and why your pages may need core web vital optimization.

Let’s start!

What Are Core Web Vitals?

Core Web Vitals are basically three key metrics that Google uses to measure how “friendly” a website is for users like you and me.

First up, there’s Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), which is all about how quickly the main content on a page loads. You know how annoying it is when you’re waiting for a page to load and all you see is a blank screen? LCP aims to fix that.

Then there’s the First Input Delay (FID), which measures how long it takes for a website to become interactive. Imagine you’re trying to fill out a form online, and there’s a lag between when you click on a field and when you can actually start typing. Super annoying, right? FID is all about minimizing that lag.

Last but not least, there’s a Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). This one’s about visual stability. You know how sometimes you’re reading an article online, and suddenly an ad pops up and shifts the entire layout? CLS aims to reduce those unexpected shifts.

When you run your page through a PageSpeed Insights test, it would look something like this:-

Core web vitals report for BizBlae.co

It basically gives you a breakdown of the performance of your webpage.

Note: You can check the performance for both Desktop and Mobile.

Now that we understand what Core Web Vitals are, let’s learn why they are essential.

Why Core Web Vitals Optimization Essential

As you might already know, if you can’t measure something, how will you improve it?

Similarly, you need to know whether your website is loading fast, are all links working correctly, and whether the SEO is in check to make sure your site reaches the target audience and has a smooth website experience.

To understand more, let’s deep dive into the benefits of optimizing the core web vitals of your site:-

Improved User Experience

First and foremost, the primary goal of Core Web Vitals Optimization Service is to enhance the user experience. But what does that mean in practical terms?

Faster Loading Times: Imagine you’re in a rush to find information or make a purchase online. Every second that you wait for a page to load feels like an eternity. By optimizing Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), one of the Core Web Vitals metrics, you can significantly reduce the time it takes for your website to load its main content. This is crucial for retaining users’ attention and keeping them engaged.

Smoother Interactions: Have you ever clicked on a button on a website and had to wait for what seemed like ages for the site to respond? That’s where First Input Delay (FID) comes in. By optimizing this metric, you ensure that your website is interactive and responsive, making for a much smoother user experience.

Visual Stability: There’s nothing more annoying than reading an article or trying to click a button, only for the layout to suddenly shift. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) measures this visual stability. A Core Web Vitals Optimization Service can help you minimize these layout shifts, making your website more visually stable and user-friendly.

Better Search Engine Rankings

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a complex field, but one thing is clear: Google values user experience. In fact, Google has incorporated Core Web Vitals into its ranking algorithm. This means that websites with better Core Web Vitals scores are more likely to rank higher in search results.

Visibility: The higher your website ranks on Google, the more visibility it gains. This increased visibility translates into more organic traffic, which is often more valuable than paid traffic.

Credibility: Ranking higher on Google also lends your website an air of credibility. Users are more likely to trust a website that appears on the first page of search results.

Competitive Edge: In a crowded digital marketplace, a higher search ranking can give you a significant advantage over your competitors. Core Web Vitals Optimization Service can be the differentiator that sets your website apart.

Increased User Engagement

Last but not least, let’s talk about user engagement. Websites that load quickly and provide a seamless user experience are more likely to keep users engaged.

Lower Bounce Rates: When users find what they’re looking for without any hiccups, they’re less likely to leave your website prematurely, resulting in lower bounce rates.

Higher Conversion Rates: A smooth, fast, and visually stable website not only keeps users engaged but also makes them more likely to take desired actions, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.

Customer Retention: A positive user experience is key to customer retention. Satisfied customers are more likely to return to your website and become loyal patrons.

Core Web Vitals Optimization Service is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. From improving user experience to boosting search engine rankings and increasing user engagement, the benefits are manifold. Investing in this service is investing in the long-term success of your website.

Now that we understand why optimizing core web vitals is important, let’s take a look at ways to do it!

How to Optimize Core Web Vitals

Optimizing your website’s Core Web Vitals is a crucial step in enhancing user experience and boosting your site’s performance. While you can always opt for a Core Web Vitals Optimization Service for a comprehensive solution, there are several actionable steps you can take on your own to improve these metrics. Let’s break it down by each Core Web Vital.

1. Optimize Loading Performance (LCP)

The Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) metric measures how long it takes for the largest content element on your page to load. Here are some ways to improve it:

Compress Images: Large image files can significantly slow down your website. Use image optimization tools like ImageOptim or TinyPNG to compress your images without sacrificing quality.

Minimize CSS and JavaScript: Excessive or poorly optimized CSS and JavaScript files can also hinder your site’s loading speed. Use minification tools to reduce the size of these files, making them quicker to load.

Read more: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)

2. Improve Interactivity (FID)

First Input Delay (FID) gauges the time it takes for your website to become interactive after a user interacts with it. To improve this metric, consider the following:

Reduce JavaScript Execution: If your website has a high FID score, it’s likely due to excessive or inefficient JavaScript execution. Consider reducing and optimizing your JavaScript code to improve interactivity.

Use Browser Caching: Caching allows you to store frequently used files in the user’s browser, which can significantly speed up subsequent visits to your site. Implement browser caching to improve both LCP and FID.

Read more at: What is First Input Delay? How to Fix FID Issues?

3. Enhance Visual Stability (CLS)

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) measures the visual stability of your website. A high CLS score indicates that elements on your page are shifting around as it loads, which can be frustrating for users. Here’s how to improve it:

Use Fixed Dimensions: To prevent layout shifts, always specify the width and height attributes for images, videos, and other media elements on your page.

Avoid Pop-ups: Pop-ups, especially those that don’t have a fixed position, can cause your layout to shift unexpectedly. If you must use pop-ups, make sure they don’t disrupt the user’s experience by causing layout shifts.

By focusing on these specific areas, you can make significant strides in optimizing your Core Web Vitals. However, if you find these tasks too daunting or time-consuming, a Core Web Vitals Optimization Service can provide a more thorough and professional solution.

Summing Up

In this article, we discussed what are core web vitals, why they are important, and some ways to optimize the core web vitals of your site.

Core Web Vitals is not just a technical term, It is a crucial metric that significantly impacts your website’s user experience and search engine ranking. Whether you’re a website owner, a developer, or just a curious user, understanding and optimizing these metrics should be a priority.

The benefits of optimizing these metrics are manifold – from improved user experience and search engine rankings to increased user engagement.

If you’re serious about improving your website’s performance and user experience, consider investing in BizBlaze Core Web Vitals Optimization Service. It’s not just a wise investment, it’s a necessity for any website aiming for long-term success.

What’s more? You can get started for FREE!

Don’t wait for your website to fall behind in this competitive digital landscape. Take action today and invest in a Core Web Vitals Optimization Service to unlock your website’s full potential

That’s it for today!

See you on the next one.