How to run a website speed test, and what to fix first

2 min read · Updated

The short answer

Run a website speed test with Google's free PageSpeed Insights: enter a page, look at the mobile results, and read the Core Web Vitals. Those measure how fast the main content appears, how quickly the page responds to taps, and whether things jump around while loading. On small-business sites, oversized images are the usual culprit.

Core Web Vitals, in plain words

  • LCP: how long until the main content shows up.
  • INP: how quickly the page responds when someone taps or clicks.
  • CLS: how much things jump around while the page loads.

Fixes that usually matter most

  • Resize and compress photos before uploading.
  • Remove plugins, widgets and trackers you don't use.
  • Load chat widgets and maps only where needed.
  • Use decent hosting with caching.

Questions

What's a good speed score?

Focus on passing Core Web Vitals on mobile rather than a perfect number.

Why is my score different each time?

Tests vary with network and server load. Look at trends and the field data when available.

Does speed affect ranking?

It's part of page experience. Slow sites also lose visitors before they see anything.

Want to discuss Websites?

Book a time with Lehvel and we’ll go through what your business actually needs.