Websites that are slow to load can have a direct impact on conversions.
Research has also found that 1 in 4 users will leave a website that takes more than 4 seconds to load. This makes having a website that loads fast essential for SEO as well as the wider health of your business.
Simply put, we all expect digital content to fully load fast on our devices. When that doesn’t happen, we get impatient and leave. So while slow pages might not seem to be a big deal, they could be the main reason why your conversion rates are low.
The good news is that slow-loading websites can be fixed, so long as you identify and remedy the cause.
Here are 8 aspects to look out for from the web development experts here at Imaginaire.
Unoptimised Or Glitchy Code
Depending on how your website was built along with how it has been maintained, it may contain poorly optimised HTML, CSS or Javascript code. By reviewing the code and eliminating any inefficiencies, the cause of the slow-loading page can often be solved.
The challenge for website owners is understanding how to code, which is why web design and development is an expert skill. Even opting for a pre-built template offers no guarantee of a fast-loading website, as website owners may not be aware that a light theme is required to encourage a fast page speed.
Large File Sizes
Using excessive page elements or placing large video and image content on a website will inevitably slow it down. For users with poor internet speed especially, the wait can cause the page to time out.
Instead, website content needs to be optimised so that file sizes are reduced. Autoplay options should also be disabled on videos.
By resizing and optimising content before adding it to the page, the overall size of the page will stay within optimum levels.
Server Performance
Website servers are there to load your content so that it can be accessed by users. However, if the server capabilities are not powerful enough to meet demand, the result could be pages that are slow to load in addition to website outages.
If the size and traffic of your website have grown over time, then it could also be the case that the original server offering no longer meets requirements meaning an upgrade is due.
Server Location
It’s not just the server capabilities that matter, but also where the server is located in relation to the location of your web traffic. For instance, if a server is based in the UK but the business is located in Australia, then the content has to go on a very long journey to be served.
As well as switching to a server that matches the location of your target audience, employing a CDN (content delivery network) may also be necessary.
Too Many Pop Ups Or Ads
Website advertisements or pop-ups may serve a commercial purpose, but they inevitably add more weight to a page resulting in slower speeds. There is a fine balance to be struck as although these elements are there to generate revenue, they can result in higher bounce rates and fewer repeat visits.
Outdated CMS
Everything has its day, and websites that were built years ago and have since been left to gather dust are likely to be slow and inefficient. Technology changes rapidly, meaning older websites that haven’t been updated or rebuilt to keep up with the times will be left behind. Alongside slow-loading pages, old websites are also more at risk of cyber attacks and similar undesirable issues.
External Plugins
Plugins add weight to the page, and in some instances, this can have a drastic impact on the page speed. All plugins require regular reviews to ensure they are necessary, and to determine if they are causing other issues on the page.
Redirects
Having redirects on a website isn’t inherently bad, especially if you want to avoid 404 ‘page not found’ errors. However, if redirects are not done properly they can result in slow-loading pages.
Imaginaire – Get A Fast-Loading Website For Your Business
Recognise any of the above issues holding your website back? Maybe you have noticed your pages are slow, but don’t know where to start?
Don’t panic! But definitely get in touch with our web design and development experts here at Imaginaire.
Whether your website needs a tune-up or a complete rebuild, we’re here to help.
Let us know about the issues you are experiencing with your website by filling out our contact form. If you’re based in the UK, you can also give us a call on 0115 697 1158.