A Google update considering Core Web Vitals, mobile-friendliness, HTTPS, and intrusive interstitials.Ever feel like your website is fast but still not ranking as high as it should? The truth is, Google cares about more than just your content. I am going to tell you about a major Google update that changed everything: the Page Experience Update. I will explain what it is and how I make my websites better to please both Google and my visitors. I will also give you actionable tips to improve your site, no matter what platform you use.
What is Page Experience Update?
The Page Experience Update is a major change Google made to its ranking system. It focuses on how visitors interact with your website. Instead of just looking at keywords and links, Google now also considers how easy and enjoyable a page is to use. I think of it as a way for Google to reward websites that provide a great user experience.
This update introduced a set of metrics called the Core Web Vitals. These metrics measure things like a page’s loading speed, its visual stability, and how quickly it becomes interactive. In short, Google wants to send its users to websites that are fast, stable, and simple to use on any device.
How it works for your website
The Page Experience Update is a signal that works alongside all the other ranking factors. If I have two websites with similar content quality, the one with a better page experience will likely rank higher. This means making my website fast and mobile-friendly is no longer just a good idea; it’s a requirement for top rankings.
Page Experience on Different CMS Platforms
Improving my website’s page experience is a team effort between me and my CMS. Some platforms have a head start with good code, while others give me more control to make my own changes. I always check for built-in features that can help.
WordPress
With WordPress, I have a lot of control but also a lot of responsibility. I need to be careful with my choice of theme and plugins, as they can slow my site down. I use caching plugins and image optimization tools to ensure my pages load quickly and pass the Core Web Vitals. I also ensure my site is mobile-responsive.
Shopify & Wix
For Shopify and Wix, a lot of the heavy lifting is done for me. These platforms are built to be fast and mobile-friendly right out of the box. My main focus is on the images I upload. I make sure to compress them so they do not slow my pages down. I also use a clean theme and avoid too many extra apps or plugins that might add unnecessary code.
Webflow & Custom CMS
With Webflow and a custom CMS, I have total control over the code. This is both a challenge and an opportunity. I can write clean, efficient code from the start. This allows me to build a site that is perfectly optimized for page experience and Core Web Vitals, but it also means I am fully responsible for any performance issues.
Page Experience and Different Industries
Every type of website benefits from a good user experience. I find that I focus on different aspects of page experience depending on what my site is for. I prioritize what matters most to my visitors.
Ecommerce
For an ecommerce site, I know that a fast, stable page is critical for sales. If a product page loads slowly or shifts while a customer is trying to click “buy,” I can lose the sale. I focus on optimizing product images and ensuring my checkout process is smooth and fast, even on mobile devices.
Local Businesses
For a local business, I know that many of my customers will be on their phones looking for directions or my phone number. I make sure my contact page and my homepage load instantly on mobile. The most important thing is that my phone number and address are easy to find and click on.
SaaS & Blogs
For a SaaS website or a blog, I focus on the visual stability and speed of my long-form content. I ensure that images and videos load correctly without making the text jump around. I also make sure my internal links and calls-to-action are easy to click on, even on a small phone screen.
FAQ
Q1: How can I check my website’s page experience score?
A: I use Google’s free tools! Google Search Console has a Core Web Vitals report that shows my site’s performance. I also use PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse to get detailed reports and specific suggestions for improvement.
Q2: Does Page Experience replace all other ranking factors?
A: No, it is a signal, not the only signal. Good content is still king. Page experience is like a tie-breaker. If my content is just as good as a competitor’s, my better page experience will help me win in the rankings.
Q3: How do I improve my Core Web Vitals?
A: I start with image optimization. I compress my images to make them smaller. I also use a good hosting provider, and I make sure my website code is clean. For mobile, I use a responsive design to ensure my site looks good and works well on all devices.
Q4: Do I need to be a developer to fix my page experience?
A: Not at all! Many CMS platforms have built-in features or plugins that can handle a lot of the work for you. By just focusing on things like image size and theme choice, I can make a big difference without touching any code.
