Page speed has always been a ranking factor for the websites. In 2018, Google added this factor to the mobile searches too. And as you know, today most people use smartphones to access the internet. So a page that loads faster will rank higher on Google, a fast loading website won’t frustrate the visitors; so, the bounce rate will be within limits. Let’s see how we can improve the page loading speed for a website.
Page Speed Optimization Techniques
Now that we have established why we should focus on improving the website loading speed, let us see how exactly we can achieve that. And no, we won’t bore you with the usual tips and tricks –
1. Opt for Amp
AMP is short for Accelerated Mobile Pages. Google, in collaboration with Twitter, incorporated this technology in its search results page. AMP pages have a mellowed-down version of HTML and light-weight CSS. This makes the AMP pages load faster.
Although AMP itself is not a ranking factor, speed is. So if you are not using AMP, your competitor’s AMP web page will be preferred because it loads faster. And Google now features AMP in the Search Console. So, chances are, AMP can become a ranking factor in the coming years.
2. Say Goodbye to Unnecessary JavaScript Libraries
This one is rather technical and you might need the help of a professional. When your website loads, the Java Script that enhances the website also gets loaded. However, there are times when there are certain JavaScript libraries present that do not help the webpage in any way, but they still get loaded. If you remove them, you can decrease the page loading time. Additionally, ask the professional to split the Java Script into small parts so that it does not load as a monolithic code.
3. Reduce the Initial Server Response Time
When you type Google dot com in your browser, the time it takes to receive the first byte of the information is known as the server response time. First of all, you need to make sure that the core components of your website load at first when a client requests it. Only after that, the website should load the fancy things like CSS, videos and plugins. Using CDN, top-rated web hosting, streamlining and uncluttering the database, low CSS and JS usage can contribute to the reduction in server response time.
4. Use System Fonts until the Web Fonts Are Loaded
There are many websites that use Google Web Fonts to display the text. Some of these websites do not display any text until the web font is loaded. It is recommended to display the generic fonts until the fancy web font is loaded.
5. Optimize the Loading of Third-Party Codes
Thirty party resources like Facebook share or Google Analytics also take time to load. So, suppose if you do not use Google Analytics, you must remove the Google Analytics resources and codes from your website. Additionally, make sure that these third-party codes load only after the main components of the web page load.
6. Don’t Use GIFs
If you want to add animation to your web page, consider using video formats instead of the GIF format. GIFs take more time to load.
What if You Are Not Hosting Your Website Independently?
If you do not host your website independently and use CMSs like WordPress or Wix, you cannot control and fix the page loading time all by yourself. You have to work in conjunction with these companies. However, there are certain things that you can still do –
- Don’t use fancy backgrounds.
- Don’t use too heavy images.
- Serve images in next-gen formats
- Use plugins sparingly.
- Use high-bandwidth subscriptions.
- Use embedded videos instead of uploading them directly into your WordPress or Wix site.
