Improve Core Web Vitals For Better SEO Rankings In SG

One of the key factors in achieving this is optimising your core web vitals. These user-centric metrics not only help improve how users interact with your website but also play a crucial role in your SEO rankings. Core Web Vitals are a set of performance indicators defined by Google, focusing on the speed, interactivity, and visual stability of your website. A website that scores well on these metrics provides a smoother, more engaging experience for visitors, which in turn can boost your SEO rankings. For us, as website owners and marketers, improving these vitals is essential to staying competitive in the local search results.

In this article, we will explore practical steps to help us fix Core Web Vitals issues and enhance our websites for better SEO rankings. From optimising images to reducing server response times, we’ll cover everything we need to know to ensure that our websites are fully optimised for SEO core web vitals. Let’s dive in and make sure our websites meet the highest standards of user experience!

What Are Core Web Vitals?

Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics that measure the real-world experience of a user visiting a website. They focus on how quickly content loads, how interactive the site is, and how stable the layout remains as it loads. Google uses these vitals to assess a website’s user experience, and improving them can help your site rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).

The three primary metrics that make up Core Web Vitals are:

1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – This measures how long it takes for the largest visible content element on the page (usually an image or video) to load. A good LCP score is under 2.5 seconds.

2. First Input Delay (FID) – FID tracks the delay between a user interacting with your site (e.g., clicking a button or link) and the browser’s response. An optimal FID score is under 100 milliseconds.

3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – This measures the visual stability of your page by tracking unexpected layout shifts. A CLS score of less than 0.1 is considered good.

For SEO, it’s vital that your website performs well on these metrics. Poor scores can lead to users leaving your site quickly, negatively affecting your bounce rate and your position in the search results.

How to Improve Core Web Vitals for SEO

To make sure your website scores well on these Core Web Vitals, there are several strategies that you can adopt.

1. Fix Core Web Vitals by Optimising Your Site’s Load Time

Where internet speeds are generally fast, it’s still crucial for websites to load quickly, especially on mobile devices, as most users browse on smartphones. Slow load times can cause high bounce rates, which hurt your SEO rankings.

Optimise Images: Use modern image formats like WebP and ensure that images are not larger than necessary. For instance, a local business like Sistic (a ticketing platform) can compress images of events and ticket options without compromising quality.

Leverage Browser Caching: Enable caching to store parts of your website locally on users’ devices, speeding up load times on repeat visits. Websites like Shopee Singapore utilise this to ensure users can shop seamlessly.

Reduce Server Response Times: Choose a fast, reliable web host in Singapore, such as Exabytes or Vodien, to improve server response time and reduce loading delays.

2. Improve Core Web Vitals by Enhancing Mobile Experience

With mobile traffic accounting for a significant portion of web visits, improving your mobile user experience can have a huge impact on Core Web Vitals, especially LCP.

Responsive Design: Ensure your website design is responsive, meaning it adjusts to different screen sizes and devices. Businesses like Zalora Singapore optimise their mobile pages to make sure customers have a smooth shopping experience, with fast-loading pages and minimal layout shifts.

Prioritise Above-the-Fold Content: Ensure critical content loads first, reducing the time users have to wait for important elements to appear on their screens. This is particularly important for websites like Grab where users want quick access to ride-hailing services.

3. Fix Core Web Vitals by Minimising JavaScript and CSS

JavaScript and CSS are essential for adding interactivity and design to your website. However, too much code can delay page load times and hinder user interaction.

Defer Non-Essential JavaScript: Load scripts that are not crucial for the initial user experience after the page has loaded. A good example is Carousell, a marketplace in Singapore, where JavaScript is loaded dynamically to keep the page responsive but without hindering speed.

Inline Critical CSS: For important styles that are visible above the fold, include them directly in the HTML to speed up page rendering. Local websites like Red Dot Payment utilise this technique to enhance mobile and desktop user experiences.

4. Fix Core Web Vitals by Preventing Layout Shifts

Layout shifts happen when content moves around unexpectedly, especially when users are interacting with the site. This can be frustrating for users and can lead to a poor CLS score.

Reserve Space for Ads and Media: Ensure that any dynamic content like ads, images, or videos have a reserved space in the layout. Gov.sg, a government website, avoids unexpected layout shifts by ensuring all media elements are placed within a fixed container.

Avoid Inline Styles: Inline styles or dynamically injected content can cause layout shifts, so avoid them wherever possible. Businesses like NTUC FairPrice manage this well by using CSS frameworks that ensure stability during loading.

5. Regularly Monitor Core Web Vitals Performance

To maintain a high-performing website, especially in competitive market, continuous monitoring is essential. Tools like Google Search Console, PageSpeed Insights, and Lighthouse can help you track Core Web Vitals performance and spot areas that need improvement.

Use Web Vitals Extension: Google’s Web Vitals Chrome Extension can be used to check LCP, FID, and CLS directly on your site, helping you quickly assess the user experience.

Conduct Real User Monitoring (RUM): Use services like New Relic or Datadog to get insights into how actual users are experiencing your website in real-time, where different internet speeds and devices may affect performance.

Why Core Web Vitals Matter for SEO

Google has made it clear that user experience is a ranking factor, and businesses cannot afford to ignore this. Websites with poor Core Web Vitals may find themselves ranking lower than competitors who have optimised for these metrics. Sites that load quickly, are interactive, and have stable layouts provide a better experience, which not only helps improve rankings but also boosts conversions.

For instance, a local business like Lazada Singapore has optimised its Core Web Vitals to ensure that users enjoy a fast, interactive, and stable browsing experience. This has contributed to their high customer satisfaction and superior search rankings.

Conclusion

To rank higher in Google search results and provide an excellent user experience, improving your Core Web Vitals should be a top priority. Whether you need to fix Core Web Vitals issues or improve your SEO by optimising for these metrics, every step you take towards enhancing user experience will pay off in the long run. Start by focusing on LCP, FID, and CLS, and use tools like Google Search Console and PageSpeed Insights to track your progress. Optimising for Core Web Vitals isn’t just about SEO – it’s about creating a seamless, engaging experience for users in Singapore and beyond.

Ref:
https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/core-web-vitals
https://www.semrush.com/blog/core-web-vitals/