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  3. Core web vitals

Core web vitals

Core web vitals are a set of performance metrics introduced by Google to measure user experience on a webpage. They focus on three main areas: loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. By evaluating these factors, site owners can see how well users can engage with their content and identify areas for improvement.

Key Metrics  

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): This metric gauges how quickly the main content of a webpage becomes visible to the user. Google recommends an LCP of 2.5 seconds or faster.  
  • First Input Delay (FID): FID measures how fast a page responds when a user first interacts with it, such as clicking a button or tapping a link. A lower value (less than 100 milliseconds) indicates faster response times.  
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): CLS tracks how much page elements move around while loading. A CLS under 0.1 helps minimize unexpected shifts that can disrupt the user’s reading or clicking.

How to Measure Core Web Vitals  

  • Online Tools: Try PageSpeed Insights or Google Search Console to see real-life data and suggestions for improvement.  
  • Lighthouse Audits: Developers can run the Lighthouse tool within the Chrome browser to simulate user conditions and spot potential performance issues.

Why Core Web Vitals Matter  

  • Improved User Experience: Good scores mean visitors can quickly access and interact with content.  
  • Higher Search Rankings: Search engines may reward sites with efficient performance and better user experience by placing them more prominently in results.  
  • Retention and Satisfaction: Fast and stable pages help keep users on the site, reducing bounce rates and increasing the chances they will explore more pages.

Tips to Improve Core Web Vitals 

  1. Optimize Images: Compress or resize images to reduce loading times.  
  2. Minimize Code: Remove unnecessary scripts and use efficient file formats to boost responsiveness.  
  3. Use Caching Techniques: Storing frequently accessed data can speed up page rendering.  
  4. Assign Space for Media: Reserve space for ads or videos so they don’t cause unexpected layout shifts.  
  5. Monitor Consistently: Revisit metrics regularly to track progress and catch new issues.

Conclusion  

Core Web Vitals offer clear, measurable insights into how people experience a site’s loading, interactivity, and visual stability. By focusing on improving LCP, FID, and CLS, website owners can create smoother user journeys and strengthen their online presence. Monitoring these metrics and making gradual changes can lead to steady improvements in visitor satisfaction and search performance.

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