If you’re noticing a decrease in web traffic, it could be due to slow page loading speed. In many cases, the root cause of this issue is the web server. By making server-level changes and reducing server response time, you can improve performance and bring customers back to your site.
The speed of your website can have a big impact on the user experience. A positive user experience can make your business more attractive to online shoppers, leading to more sales.
Reduce the initial server response time if you want to load pages faster. This blog offers advice on how to accomplish this goal effectively.
SERVER RESPONSE TIME DEFINED
Server response time, or the time it takes for a server to respond to a request from a client, is also called Time To First Byte (TTFB) measures in milliseconds; this number tells you exactly when they’ll get their first byte back after making an internet connection.
This is vitally important because if the server response time is too slow, the user experience can be frustrating and difficult to navigate.
Slow server response times can also have an effect on your search engine ranking. And customers who are unable to complete transactions or find what they are looking for on your site may lose sales as a result of slow response times.
The following are 9 of the most common factors that contribute to server response time:
- Overloading your web server with traffic
- Poorly coded applications and/or website design
- Inadequate hardware and/or software
- Maintaining outdated software
- Lack of proper backup procedures
- Poor network infrastructure
- Insufficient caching mechanisms
- Not using standard web browser extensions or plugins
- Not optimizing your website
HOW TO KNOW IF THE SERVER RESPONSE TIME IS GOOD?
The Google recommendations state that a response time between 100ms and 200ms is considered good, with an ideal goal being less than 500ms. If your website’s TTFB (or “time to first byte”) exceeds this amount it could affect user experience in positive ways such as making pages load faster for your visitors – but also leading them into feeling more confident about their purchase because they know exactly when data will become available after loading onto the page.
There are a few ways you can measure the server response time. One is to use the Ping tool from Microsoft. This tool sends packets of data to a server and measures how long it takes for them to be returned.
Another way is to use a web browser extension that records the time it takes for the page to load. This can be helpful in diagnosing slow pages or in pinpointing which pages are causing problems.
You can also use web hosting companies’ tools to measure your server response time, but these services often come with a fee.
The speed of your website has become critical to online success. If your site takes too long to load, you will likely lose customers, no matter how good your marketing strategies are.
Mobile devices are becoming increasingly popular, and your website needs to be able to withstand the test of time. The research shows that 53% of mobile site visits will leave a page if it takes longer than three seconds to load – this means you need fast response times.
With a quick server response time you can:
- Accelerate your website’s speed
- Reduce the number of bounces
- Enhance the User Experience
- Improve your SEO and page ranking
THE IMPORTANCE OF TTFB FOR SEO
The page speed metric used to gauge server response time is called TTFB. Google Page Speed Insights, which measures the speed of your website, uses TTFB to determine the server performance.
Page speed is a consideration when optimizing a website for search engines, along with content and link building, which are the two main SEO factors. In order to rank a website in the search results, Google looks at the website speed. Therefore, the quicker your website loads and the higher it ranks, the better your server response will be.
Your website may suffer from lower rankings on the search engine results page if it takes too long to respond.
TIPS TO INCREASE SERVER RESPONSE TIME
1.CHANGE TO QUICK WEB HOSTING
A website’s hosting is a crucial element. A major decrease in server response time can be achieved by switching to faster web hosting. If you are currently hosting your website on shared hosting, you may want to consider switching to dedicated hosting, which offers improved uptime and performance.
If you’re looking for a reliable web hosting provider, you may want to consider a dedicated server. Dedicated servers are known for their speed, availability, security, and support.
Some trusted brands that offer dedicated servers are WPX, Bluehost, and Siteground. When choosing a web hosting provider, be sure to read reviews and compare features to find the best fit for your business.
2.APPLY CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK
A content delivery network (CDN) can help improve the speed of your website by distributing its content to servers around the world. CDN providers can vary in terms of the quality of their service, so it is important to select a provider carefully to avoid any potential speed issues.
3.OPTIMIZED DATABASES
To keep your website running smoothly, it’s important to regularly check your server’s response time and identify any slow queries. This can be done with a query checker. Once you’ve identified the slow queries, you can take some time to optimize them. Possible solutions include changing the group to objects, making use of indexes, or finding other fixes.
4.CHECK THE USE OF PHP
If you’re using an older version of PHP for your website, it’s important to upgrade to a newer version. Most web hosts don’t automatically provide updates for the language, so you’ll need to check compatibility and upgrade manually. The PHP compatibility checker plugin can help you determine if you’re running the most recent version. If not, you can upgrade through cPanel or by contacting your hosting company.
5.CACHING SHOULD BE USED
Caching helps improve website performance by storing copies of resources locally on the visitor’s browser. This eliminates the need to repeatedly load resources from the server, which can help improve response times. Caching can be configured using third-party tools or plugins.
6.CSS AND JAVASCRIPT SHOULD BE REDUCED
To minimize files, unused space and extra code are removed through minification. JavaScript and CSS can be made smaller by removing unnecessary characters, long or redundant variables, and comments.
CSS controls the appearance and functionality of websites. It significantly contributes to the server’s storage capacity. The use of JS and CSS optimization speeds up the processing of codes and the loading time for users.
7.GET RID OF BLOAT
Websites can become bogged down by unnecessary plugins, apps, and programs, which can negatively impact performance. To ensure your website runs as efficiently as possible, it’s important to keep it as light as possible. However, having more resources on the website can actually speed up the response time of the server to user requests.
By deleting unnecessary resources and files, you can eliminate bloat and improve your website’s performance. Start by removing any unused code, non-responsive images, and plugins.
8.STEER CLEAR OF LARGE IMAGES AND VIDEOS
The website’s vibrant visuals are largely a result of images and videos. Do not use heavy resources that add to the page’s weight. Before uploading to the website, make sure that all of your images and videos have been properly optimized and compressed. Image compression plugins can be used to lessen the size of the file and speed up server response.
9.WEB FONTS SHOULD BE OPTIMIZED
Fonts can consume a large amount of bandwidth and slow down the website. Use web fonts sparingly and only when they provide significant benefits. Many font optimization tools are available online that can help you determine if a font is suitable for your website.
Optimizing fonts can improve the loading time and overall performance of your website. Only use web fonts when they provide significant benefits and be sure to test them before uploading them to your site.
CONCLUSION:
Server response time is an important factor for both users and search engines. By following the tips in this post, you can speed up your website and ensure that it provides a good user experience.
If you need help implementing these changes or want to improve your site’s performance even further, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Adjossible will help you speed up your website so that you can provide a great user experience and increase your sales. Contact Adjossible if you want to learn more about Website Page Speed.
