One of the great values in focusing on page speed is that it helps you with more than just a faster website. Your conversion rates increase, therefore so does your bottom line.
Your website will likely see a rankings lift on Google, as page speed has become more of a ranking factor these past few years.
Finally, your brand reputation will improve. This is because a better UX reduces the frustration users feel when they visit your site. You want folks to have a positive experience when they click on your URLs so that they’re more likely to come back.
Essential page speed knowledge a SEO expert should have
An SEO expert should have a solid understanding of Core Web Vitals, page speed optimization, and website conversion rates. These factors play crucial roles in the success of SEO strategies and overall website performance.
Your developers should work closely with your SEO expert to prioritize improvements.
- Core Web Vitals:
- Understanding of the Three Metrics: An SEO expert should know about the three Core Web Vitals metrics (LCP, FID, and CLS) and their significance in measuring website performance and user experience.
- Impact on Rankings: Core Web Vitals are important ranking factors for Google and other search engines. Knowing how these metrics can affect search rankings helps the SEO expert prioritize their optimization efforts.
- Optimization Techniques: Familiarity with various techniques to improve Core Web Vitals, such as optimizing images, leveraging browser caching, reducing server response time, and eliminating render-blocking resources.
- Page Speed Optimization:
- Importance for User Experience: Page speed directly affects user experience, bounce rates, and conversion rates. An SEO expert should understand that a fast-loading website enhances user satisfaction and encourages them to stay on the site longer.
- SEO Impact: Page speed is a ranking factor for search engines. Faster websites are more likely to rank higher in search results, leading to increased organic traffic.
- Techniques to Improve Page Speed: Knowledge of techniques like image optimization, minification of CSS/JavaScript/HTML, content delivery networks (CDNs), lazy loading, and GZIP compression.
- Website Conversion Rates:
- Definition and Calculation: Understanding what conversion rates are and how they are calculated (e.g., dividing the number of conversions by the total number of visitors).
- Factors Influencing Conversion Rates: Identifying the various factors that can impact conversion rates, such as website design, user experience, clear calls-to-action, and trust-building elements.
- A/B Testing: Knowledge of A/B testing methodologies to experiment with different website elements and optimize for higher conversion rates.
- Aligning SEO Efforts with Conversion Goals: Integrating SEO strategies with overall business objectives and conversion goals to attract relevant traffic that is more likely to convert.
Overall, a well-rounded SEO expert should have a comprehensive understanding of these key elements and how they intersect with each other. By optimizing for Core Web Vitals, page speed, and website conversion rates, SEO experts can help improve a website’s overall performance, user experience, and search engine visibility, ultimately driving more qualified traffic and conversions for their clients.