Nobody likes a loading bar. As an internet user, you likely feel the same. But as a website owner, what you might not realize is how disastrous slow loading times really are. Failing to optimize your website is a critical mistake that can sink even the smartest SEO and sales strategies.
How Slow Loading Time Costs You Customers
Slow websites sabotage conversions in two major ways: they prevent customers from finding you, and they prevent customers from sticking around.
Google's ranking algorithms penalize websites with slower loading speeds, citing concerns about customer experience and engagement. Even if your website is otherwise SEO-optimized, slow loading times will keep you down on the rankings, drastically decreasing visibility.
And if your page rank doesn't suffer too much, slow websites still harm conversion rates. Roughly 50% of all visitors will leave a website if it takes more than three seconds to load, and those who do stick around spend less time on your website and report lower satisfaction. If your website is sluggish, you're sacrificing sales. It's as simple as that.
Is Your Speed Up to Par?
Luckily, it's relatively simple to test the speed of your website. Many web tools are available to analyze your speed and identify areas for improvement. It's best to run multiple tests and compare results so that you can get the fullest picture of your relative speed. Some tools to consider include:
What's Next?
Just knowing your website's speed isn't enough. Instead, you should use the results of these tests to make strategic improvements to optimize page rankings and user experience. To do this, you'll want to talk to web design experts like the team at Neon Rain Interactive. We can help you identify ways to speed up your loading times while also delivering on your SEO, marketing, and design goals. For more information, get in touch with us to start a conversation.