As a business, it’s crucial to align your website with Google’s stringent standards to ensure optimal search engine ranking. Achieving this requires a deep understanding of Google’s algorithms, which can be challenging due to their opaque nature. However, with the right approach, you can pinpoint the necessary improvements.While SEO best practices are fundamental, a more nuanced analysis can be gained through the use of Google Lighthouse. This program provides a glimpse into how Google’s algorithms perceive your website, focusing on technical layout and page speed performance.Curious about Google Lighthouse and its functioning? Continue reading to uncover its capabilities and subscribe to Revenue Weekly for more digital marketing insights from an agency with over 28 years of experience!Before diving further, let’s clarify what Google Lighthouse is.Lighthouse is a free, automated tool from Google designed to audit the user experience of webpages. Named after the beacon it mimics, it illuminates areas of your site requiring enhancement. It helps identify where your site is causing a negative experience for both users and Google.To account for real-world conditions, Lighthouse simulates loading your page over a fluctuating 3G connection. When you submit your site URL to Lighthouse, it provides feedback on various site features that may require improvement, such as slow loading times or lack of mobile optimization.Lighthouse evaluates multiple metrics to provide a comprehensive overview of the overall user experience.Here’s a breakdown of the key metrics Lighthouse measures on your website:Performance MetricsLighthouse assesses two primary types of metrics: performance and SEO. Performance metrics focus on the page loading process and include:
Cumulative layout shift (CLS): Measures the number of times the page layout shifts during loading, causing elements to jump to different locations.
First contentful paint (FCP): Measures the time it takes for a page to load the first piece of DOM content.
Largest contentful paint (LCP): Measures the time it takes for a page to load its largest element, typically a video or large image.
Speed index: Measures the time it takes for visual elements to become visible.
Time to interactive (TTI): Measures the time it takes for users to interact with the page elements.
Total blocking time (TBT): Measures the time it takes for the page to fully load, specifically the duration between FCP and TTI.
Each metric provides Google with insights into your site’s loading experience. For instance, an extended TTI can indicate a poor user experience, as users may encounter unresponsive content.SEO MetricsSEO metrics, on the other hand, focus on aspects that impact Google rankings and site traffic. Key factors include:
Valid robots.txt: The txt file should be correctly formatted to guide Google’s crawling algorithms.
Image alt tags: Alt tags provide descriptions for images, aiding Google in search rankings.
Mobile-friendliness: Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites, ensuring your site is optimized for mobile devices.
Title and meta description: Optimized title tags and meta descriptions improve search result visibility.
Unwanted plugins: Lighthouse checks for plugins like Java or Flash that could harm user experience.
Optimizing these metrics can provide a competitive edge in Google search results, attracting more users and surpassing competitors.Wondering how to leverage Google Lighthouse? It’s a simple process. Begin by identifying the page you wish to audit and use Chrome as your browser. Follow these steps:
Visit the URL you want to audit in Google Chrome.
Right-click on the page and select “Inspect.” In the opened window, locate the “Elements” tab at the top.
Click the arrow on the right end of the tab bar to reveal a dropdown list, and select “Lighthouse.”
Select “Mobile” or “Desktop” at the bottom of the window.
Click the “Generate report” button and wait approximately 30 seconds for your results.
Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll receive a comprehensive report on your site’s performance, SEO, accessibility, and best practices. Use this information to optimize your website for better results!Now that you understand how to use Google Lighthouse, it’s time to implement this knowledge. WebFX can assist you in doing so!With over 1,100 client testimonials, we’re the agency businesses trust for superior online marketing results. Our SEO services can help you leverage Lighthouse’s features to optimize your website. We’ll guide you through all the necessary steps and optimize your site for enhanced performance.Get started with us by calling 888-601-5359 or contacting us online today!
