Website speed is a known ranking factor with Google and a reality with users. The user fall-off rate per second of wait time is exponential. You have probably invested a lot in your online presence. Don't let the tragedy of a lost customer occur due to a few milliseconds.
Real Scores
Below are real website performance scores we obtained with some of our WordPress clients. These particular scores are websites without a Content Delivery Network in place (CDN), which would only make things faster.
We use GTMetrix.com to analyze the performance of our websites. They are strict on their standards and have become an industry standard. Most sites in the world average scores around 70. Of course, not every website can get an A or perfect score. The game is to optimize the website performance as much as possible. Some scripts need to run each time, and other features or functions of a site may not be sensible to cache.
Google's Take
While there is always debate as to how much this affects search result rankings, there is no question that users will judge your site by its speed. Think of that last time you really enjoyed a slow website, and patiently waited for the pages. With the exception ONLY that website has what you need, you probably started a new search to find a faster website to answer your query. You aren't the only one. That user behavior is known and expected. Your site must be snappy!
What about Mobile?
Google has announced a new mobile index which has been in place for some time now. This is due to the focused contextual nature of local searches and the difference in intent and usage between mobile and desktop. Google wants to deliver value to its users, and a snappy fast mobile experience is one of the factors.
Next Steps
Offering a slow online experience is simply not getting rewarded by users or Google like it used to. The only saving grace for slow sites is potentially very valuable content. But as soon as another site can provide the same value Google will return it and users will be happier. In other words, leaving your site slow is a slow burial to your online presence.
These optimization services are currently only offered with WordPress. As with any SEO client of ours, this level of performance is included. But there is always more to it than can be written down. So give us a call and let us resolve your website performance needs.
Get in Touch with Perfectly Optimized
Let's connect and help you with your website performance goals. Whether you want to make your website faster or have a better appearance on a mobile phone, or something else - we want to hear from you!