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How to Use Google’s Site Speed Test to Test, Read, and Improve Site Speed

  • Filed under: General

Website speed plays a major role in SEO rankings, user experience, and conversions. If your site takes too long to load, visitors may leave before it even fully appears. Google’s PageSpeed Insights is a free tool that helps you measure and improve your website’s speed and performance.

Why Site Speed Matters

  • Better User Experience – Fast-loading pages keep visitors engaged and reduce bounce rates.
  • Higher Google Rankings – Google prioritizes fast websites in search results.
  • More Conversions – A 1-second delay can lower conversions by 7%.

How to Test Your Website Speed with Google’s PageSpeed Insights

  1. Visit PageSpeed Insights.
  2. Enter your website URL and click Analyze.
  3. Wait for the tool to generate your speed report.

How to Read Your PageSpeed Insights Report

Your speed test results will include:

  • Performance Score (0-100) – Higher is better. A score of 90+ is ideal.
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – Measures how long it takes for the largest visible element (image, text, or video) to load. Under 2.5 seconds is good.
  • First Input Delay (FID) – Measures responsiveness. Lower is better.
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – Measures how stable the page layout is while loading. A lower score is ideal.

How to Improve Your Site Speed

If your score is low, here are key ways to optimize your website:

1. Optimize Images Before Uploading

Large images slow down your site. Use ShortPixel to compress images before uploading.

2. Enable Caching

Caching stores website data so returning visitors don’t have to load everything from scratch. Use a plugin like WP Rocket or LiteSpeed Cache.

3. Minimize Plugins

Too many plugins can slow your site down. Remove inactive plugins and keep only what’s necessary.

4. Use a Fast Web Host

Your hosting provider impacts speed. If your site is slow despite optimizations, consider upgrading to managed WordPress hosting like SiteGround or Cloudways.

5. Reduce Redirects

Each redirect adds load time. Use a redirect checker to remove unnecessary redirects.

What’s Next?

Testing your site speed is just the first step. Regular maintenance, plugin updates, and performance optimizations keep your website running smoothly. A Website Diagnostic Review can help identify slow-loading elements, security risks, and outdated settings that may be affecting performance. Learn more about the service here.

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