What is Page Speed?
Page speed refers to how quickly a webpage loads and becomes interactive for users. It encompasses multiple aspects of performance, including the time it takes for the page to display content, respond to user input, and fully render in the browser.
Page speed is often measured by metrics like:
- Time to First Byte (TTFB)
- First Contentful Paint (FCP)
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
These help assess both technical load times and user-perceived performance.
Why Page Speed Matters
Page speed is a key factor in both user experience and SEO. Slow-loading pages can frustrate visitors, increase bounce rates, and lead to lower engagement. Google also uses page speed as a ranking factor, especially for mobile searches.
Benefits of fast page speed include:
- Improved search rankings
- Higher conversion rates
- Better user retention
- Lower bounce rates
- Stronger mobile performance
A fast website can help build trust and keep users engaged with your content or services.
Example in Use
If a landing page takes 5 seconds to load, many users may leave before it fully appears, especially on mobile devices. By compressing images, reducing server response times, and minimising JavaScript, you can reduce load time to under 2 seconds, improving both SEO and user experience.
Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix can help diagnose and fix page speed issues.
Related Terms
- Core Web Vitals
- Mobile-Friendly Design
- Caching
- Image Optimization
- Technical SEO