Why Google loves fast websites: A guide to speed optimization for developers

When it comes to ranking high on Google, speed is king. Google has been upfront about its preference for fast-loading websites, and with the growing importance of Core Web Vitals, speed has become a crucial factor in search engine optimization (SEO).

But why does speed matter so much, and how can developers ensure their sites load lightning-fast? Let’s dive in.

Why speed matters

User experience A fast website keeps visitors engaged. Studies show that a delay of just 1 second can reduce conversions by 7%.
Core web vitals Metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) directly impact Google rankings.
Mobile-first indexing With mobile users dominating the web, Google prioritizes sites that load quickly on mobile devices.

Quick wins for speed optimization

Here are some actionable tips to boost your website's performance:

Optimize images

Use modern formats like WebP and compress images without sacrificing quality. Tools like ImageOptim or online compressors can help.

Enable lazy loading

Only load images and videos as users scroll to them. In Next.js, this can be done easily with the next/image component.

Leverage browser caching

Set cache headers to store static assets like images, CSS, and JavaScript locally on the user’s device.

Minify CSS, JS, and HTML

Remove unnecessary whitespace and comments. Tools like Terser and CSSNano can automate this.

Use a CDN

A Content Delivery Network distributes your content across multiple servers worldwide, reducing latency for users.

Reduce JavaScript payloads

Avoid heavy libraries or unused dependencies. Analyze your bundle size with tools like Webpack Bundle Analyzer.

Prioritize critical CSS

Inline the CSS required for above-the-fold content to ensure it loads immediately.

Implement HTTP/2

If your server supports it, HTTP/2 allows multiple assets to load simultaneously over a single connection.

How I apply these techniques

When building my portfolio at vks.gr, I focused heavily on speed optimization. Using Next.js and TailwindCSS, I achieved a perfect 100/100 score on Google PageSpeed Insights. Lazy loading, image optimization, and server-side rendering were key factors in this success.

Final thoughts

Fast websites aren’t just a luxury—they’re a necessity. By focusing on speed optimization, you not only improve user experience but also signal to Google that your site is worth ranking higher.

Start with these simple tips and watch your website’s performance (and rankings) soar!