Website speed impacts usability and rankings

Google tells us web page loading speed directly impacts your site's usability and from July 2018, it's ranking.

Thankfully, recent updates to the wonderful internal workings of Google Search means that a website's usability - including site speed factors, have a greater impact to mobile search rankings than ever before.  Taking a huge step forward in levelling the competitive field.

This very exciting news means Google wishes to recognise the companies that invest in their websites, content and digital marketing and ensure their websites are fast and truly multi-device compatible.

Google sets the bar (many bars actually) and seeks to reward those that reach these peaks, website owners who consider the user, play by the rules, and create great content. 

The site speed debate now includes specific attention to 3G mobile speeds, as Google increases its recognition of device compatibility, and increases the value of the mobile experience, impacting search rankings.  Search results are now presented to users, showing different rankings, depending on the device used by the Googler. 

Mobile results appear sensitive to the quality of the mobile experience, so mobile-friendly websites can show greater rankings on mobile searches than they do on desktop searches.

Google has created a new tool for users to test mobile site speed under 3G conditions. 

It provides helpful insights and comparisons within the same industry, so you can see how your speed stacks up against your competition.

 We advise everyone to test their web page loading speeds under both mobile and desktop conditions, to ensure you are putting forward the best presentation of your site that you can.