015 - Understanding & Improving Core Web Vitals

Overview of Core Web Vitals:We kick off this episode walking through the six Core Web Vitals – a set of metrics used by Google to evaluate the user experience of a website.These are:First Contentful Paint (FCP)Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)Time to InteractiveSpeed IndexCumulative Layout Shift (CLS)Total Blocking Time (TBT)Each vital is then discussed in detail, explaining what they measure and their importance in website performance.Strategies for Improving Core Web Vitals:Importance of optimizing images and videos, including best practices for media file sizes and formats.Discussion on the use of WordPress and how various tools can impact Core Web Vitals.Techniques for optimizing JavaScript loading, such as deferring or minifying scripts.The significance of setting correct image sizes and the impact of media on layout shifts.Real-World Challenges and SolutionsPete & Jeff share practical experiences and challenges they've faced in optimizing websites, offering insights into real-world application of these strategies.Importance of Testing and Iteration: Emphasis on the necessity of testing optimizations and understanding the impact of changes on overall website performance.SEO and Core Web Vitals as Part of a Larger Strategy: They discuss how Core Web Vitals fit into a broader SEO strategy and the need to balance technical optimization with other SEO elements.