Page speed has factored into Google’s results since at least 2010, when they announced that their algorithm included page speed. And it became even more important in 2013, when they began applying page speed measurements to mobile sites as well. Page speed also impacts how much of your website Google is able to crawl. It allocates an amount of time to crawl specific sites. Sites with many pages load slowly and may not be fully indexed. This means that all of the time and effort you put into designing some of your pages may be for naught, all because your page didn’t load in enough time for Google to index it properly.

Of course, page speed also makes a significant impact on how visitors experience your website. A site that loads quickly will make it as easy for people to see the site as you intend. They’ll immediately be drawn in by your pictures or videos, and they’ll see the navigation that will direct them to where they need to go.

If, on the other hand, your site takes time to load, they will be frustrated. Many people will abandon sites entirely if they take more than a few seconds to load. Every one second of loading time decreases your conversion rate by seven percent. Loading times are even more important on mobile devices, where users have slower download speeds and limits on the amount of data they can use.

There are many different things you can do to improve the loading speed of your website’s pages. Compressing the size of the files you use is a common way to cut down loading time. You can also use browser caching to store some information on your visitors’ browsers, so that when they return it takes less time to load. Another factor to consider is your server’s response time. Identifying any issues with your server can be challenging, but it plays a large role in getting your website to load as quickly as possible.

SEO Service with BSG

If your business is looking to get the most out of your online presence, BSG can help. Our SEO specialists will focus on the short and long tail keywords that are most relevant to your business. The SEO practices we use are ones that generate lasting gains. Our web designers can help you build a site that distinguishes your business from the competition and makes a real impression on potential customers. Take a look at all of the services we offer here, and contact BSG today to learn more.