In this article, we’ll talk about the importance of getting good scores in these website analyzers. I’ll also give you tips to score better. Let’s dive in!
PageSpeed Insights
Among this 3 tests, this one holds particular importance, as it originates from Google itself – the giant web search engine we’re all familiar with. If your website scored low in this test, it could not only mean that your users are not having the best experience visiting your website, it could also mean that your website’s search engine ranking is negatively affected. Which could mean, people may not be finding your website or your business online.
GTmetrix
This is a very powerful tool that does a set of very comprehensive tests to analyze your website’s performance. It gives you plenty of ideas to improve your site’s performance, but some of them might be a bit technical for regular folks. But don’t worry, we’ve got a list of things you can do on your own, which we’ll share with you below.
Hubspot Website Grader
This tool, created by HubSpot, figures out how your website is doing in terms of overall performance, mobile-friendliness, search engine friendliness, and security. Scoring low on this test might suggest that your website’s design and structure could be a bit out of date. What I like about this test is that it’s really easy to understand.
Top 3 things you can do yourself to improve your score
Now that we’ve understood their importance, let’s talk about the top 3 things you can do to give you website’s score a boost on PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and Hubspot Website Grader:
1. Optimize Images
Optimizing your images by compressing them so they load faster and still look great is one of the things that could impact your website score significantly. There are plenty of free tools online that can compress images for you.
2. Ensure Responsiveness
Make sure your website works well on both desktop and mobile devices. Did you know that mobile users took the lead over desktop users since 2016? Check out this article for a more in-depth data. You can check responsiveness by opening your website on your mobile phone. If you have to zoom in and out to see different parts of your site, then your website is not optimized well for mobile use. It might be time to consider a comprehensive revamp.
3. Up your SEO Game
Increase your SEO score by adding correct page titles, meta descriptions, and using the right headings. Also, consider adding a sitemap to your site. This will help Google’s web crawlers index your site more efficiently.
A few more tips
- Keep Contact Info Current. Make sure you contact information is up to date on your website. Don't miss out on potential clients by giving them the wrong contact info.
- Stay Stylish. Keep up with the latest design trends. An outdated looking website turn away both current and potential clients. A fresh design signals professionalism and an image one can trust.
- Ditch the Flash. Get rid of Flash elements! Not only are they a thing of the past, they're also not great for your website's ranking. If your site is solely based on Flash, it's high time to get an overhaul!
- Get Social. Don't forget to add links to your social media accounts. Social media is now where people spend half (if not most) of their time on! Take advantage of it!
Score still low?
If you’ve followed the tips we’ve laid out above and your score remains the same, it might be time to enlist the help of a web expert. There are a lot more things that can be done but require the help of an expert as they require complicated stuff, like coding.
If your website hasn’t seen updates in the last 3 years (at the very least!), it might be a good idea to start fresh. A lot of new design trends and development standards have emerged and your website might still be living under a rock.
We’ve written a few (and free!) articles to help you get started on building a website. You should check out 7 Things to Look for When Finding a Great Web Designer and Why You Should Hire a Web Designer Who is a Developer.