Page speed metrics are performance indicators that measure how quickly a webpage loads and becomes interactive
What are Page Speed Metrics?
Page speed metrics are performance indicators that measure how quickly a webpage loads and becomes interactive. They are used to calculate a webpage performance score, a value of 1 to 100. These technical benchmarks help developers identify bottlenecks, optimize website performance, and enhance user experience. While not all page speed metrics directly impact SEO rankings like Core Web Vitals, they provide deeper insights into a site’s responsiveness and efficiency.
The Metrics that Calculate a Webpage Performance Score:
First Contentful Paint (FCP)
Measures how long it takes for the first piece of visible content (text, image, or SVG) to appear on the screen.Goal: Under 1.8 seconds.
Time to First Byte (TTFB)
Measures the delay between a user's request and when the browser receives the first byte of data from the server. Goal: Under 800ms.
Total Blocking Time (TBT)
Measures how long the main thread is blocked by JavaScript execution, preventing user interaction. Goal: Under 200ms.
Speed Index (SI)
Measures how quickly visible content appears during page load, factoring in smoothness and progressive rendering. Goal: Lower scores indicate better performance.
Time to Interactive (TTI)
Measures when a page is fully interactive, meaning all scripts are loaded, and the user can interact without delays. Goal: Under 5 seconds.
Where to Find them:
We lean on PageSpeed Insights for a comprehensive overview of site performance. Bonus Tip: You can review a webpage's performance on both mobile and desktop, but solid mobile scores are harder to achieve, so we'd suggest referring to these to ensure you're site is providing the best possible UX.
The Difference Between Page Speed Metrics & Core Web Vitals:
While Core Web Vitals and Page Speed Metrics both measure website performance, they focus on different aspects of the user experience.
Page Speed Metrics provide a holistic view of page performance, helping developers diagnose and fine-tune loading behavior, optimize JavaScript execution, and improve overall responsiveness.
Core Web Vitals are a Google-defined set of critical performance indicators that impact user experience and SEO
