You may've heard about Google's Core Web Vitals, and how these metrics are measuring page speed and the user experience. Which, in turn, influences search engine results.
Core Web Vitals
The metrics are complex and multi-layered, but they are all based on factors which enhance the user experience - speed, accessibility, and basic SEO. You can find your Core Web Vitals (CWV) information in your Google Search Console.
The most common issues to fail Core Web Vitals
Speed
Speed is a big one in core web vitals, as it is easy to fail on speed alone. Metrics like First Contentful Paint (when does content load) and Time to First Byte (server responsiveness) help to give you (and your web developer) an idea of how to speed up your site.
Another major speed issue is loading unused or unnecessary scripts, which slows your load time and can be loaded later or not at all if you can identify what is needed.
Accessibility
Accessibility should be at the forefront of web design. CWV picks up on this and gives you great prompts for ensuring things are made easy for those who use screen readers or have sight impairments. Things such as items being too close together, or colour contrast that isn't bright or contrasted enough.
Front page SEO
Optimising your front page / home page for SEO (and everywhere else too) is a must. Make sure you get the basics right and give people the best chance of finding and enjoying your website!
Find your Core Web Vitals report on Google's PageSpeed Insights.
