Overview of Core Web Vitals:

We kick off this episode walking through the six Core Web Vitals – a set of metrics used by Google to evaluate the user experience of a website.

These are:

• First Contentful Paint (FCP)
• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
• Time to Interactive
• Speed Index
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
• Total Blocking Time (TBT)

Each vital is then discussed in detail, explaining what they measure and their importance in website performance.

Strategies for Improving Core Web Vitals:

• Importance of optimizing images and videos, including best practices for media file sizes and formats.
• Discussion on the use of WordPress and how various tools can impact Core Web Vitals.
• Techniques for optimizing JavaScript loading, such as deferring or minifying scripts.
• The significance of setting correct image sizes and the impact of media on layout shifts.

Real-World Challenges and Solutions

Pete & Jeff share practical experiences and challenges they've faced in optimizing websites, offering insights into real-world application of these strategies.

• Importance of Testing and Iteration: Emphasis on the necessity of testing optimizations and understanding the impact of changes on overall website performance.
• SEO and Core Web Vitals as Part of a Larger Strategy: They discuss how Core Web Vitals fit into a broader SEO strategy and the need to balance technical optimization with other SEO elements.