What is Page Speed?

Page Speed Explained

Page speed measures how long it takes for a web page to fully load and become interactive for the visitor. This includes everything from the initial server response to the final image and script finishing loading.

There are a few different ways page speed is measured:

Time to First Byte (TTFB) is how quickly the server starts sending data back to the browser.
First Contentful Paint (FCP) is when the first visible content appears on screen.
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) is when the biggest piece of content (usually a hero image or headline) finishes loading.
Time to Interactive (TTI) is when the page is fully usable and responds to clicks.

Google recommends that pages load in under 2.5 seconds for a good user experience. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and Lighthouse can test your site and provide specific recommendations for improvement.

Common factors that slow down websites include large unoptimised images, too many scripts, poor hosting, render-blocking resources, and heavy third-party plugins.

Why Page Speed Matters

Speed directly affects everything that matters for your website. Users expect pages to load fast, and most will leave if a page takes more than a few seconds. Research consistently shows that slower sites lose visitors, generate fewer leads, and make fewer sales.

Google also uses page speed as a ranking factor. A slow website can hurt your position in search results, while a fast one gets a boost. This makes performance a crossover between user experience and SEO.

On mobile, speed matters even more. Mobile connections can be slower than broadband, and mobile users tend to be less patient. If your site loads slowly on a phone, you're likely losing a significant chunk of potential business.

Where You'll Come Across It

You'll notice page speed every time you visit a website. Fast sites feel smooth and responsive. Slow sites feel frustrating, especially on your phone.

When working with a web developer, performance is usually discussed during the build process and can be audited after launch. You might also see page speed mentioned in SEO reports or consultancy recommendations.

Practical Example

You run an estate agency. A potential buyer clicks on one of your property listings from Google. If the page takes 5 seconds to load, they might close the tab and check a competitor instead. After your developer optimises your images, enables caching, and upgrades your hosting, the same page loads in 1.5 seconds. Visitors stay longer, view more properties, and submit more enquiries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my page speed?

The easiest way is to use Google PageSpeed Insights. Just enter your URL and it will give you a score out of 100 along with specific suggestions for improvement.

What is a good page speed score?

A score of 90 or above on Google PageSpeed Insights is considered good. Between 50 and 89 needs improvement. Below 50 means there are significant performance issues to address.

Can my developer fix a slow website?

Usually, yes. Common fixes include optimising images, enabling caching, reducing unnecessary scripts, upgrading hosting, and cleaning up code. A developer can audit your site and prioritise the changes that will have the biggest impact.