Google's New Core Web Vitals and "Page Experience"

Apr 13, 2021

Google has announced that their new ranking signals, announced last year, will go into affect in May 2021. What are those new ranking factors and will your website be optimized for them?

Core Web Vitals are a set of specific factors that Google considers important in a webpage’s overall user experience. Core Web Vitals are made up of three specific page speed and user interaction measurements: largest contentful paint, first input delay, and cumulative layout shift.

In short, Core Web Vitals are a subset group of factors that will be an essential part of how Google sizes up your website's overall user experience.

The Google Page Experience will also take into account the preexisting factors: mobile-friendliness, safe-browsing, HTTPS-security, intrusive interstitial guidelines.

Let's break down the Core Web Vital metrics.

Largest Contentful Paint: The time it takes for a page’s main content to load. An ideal LCP measurement is 2.5 seconds or faster.
First Input Delay: The time it takes for a page to become interactive. An ideal measurement is less than 100 ms.
Cumulative Layout Shift: The amount of unexpected layout shift of visual page content. An ideal measurement is less than 0.1.

This set of metrics was designed to help site designers measure the user experience they’re providing when it comes to loading, interactivity, and visual stability.

As Google puts it:

“Core Web Vitals are a set of real-world, user-centered metrics that quantify key aspects of the user experience. They measure dimensions of web usability such as load time, interactivity, and the stability of content as it loads (so you don’t accidentally tap that button when it shifts under your finger – how annoying!)”

How does this affect my website ranking?

By adding Core Web Vitals as ranking factors, and combining them with other preexisting user experience and design best practices, Google aims to help more site owners build pages that users enjoy visiting.

If Google determines that a page is providing a high quality user experience, based on it's overall Page Experience rating, then it will likely rank the page higher in search results. However, content relevance is still considerably important when it comes to rankings. A page with content that’s highly relevant to a query could conceivably rank well even if it had a poor page experience signal.

As Google puts it:

“A good page experience doesn’t override having great, relevant content. However, in cases where there are multiple pages that have similar content, page experience becomes much more important for visibility in Search.”

So what do I do to make sure my website is optimized for these new Core Web Vitals?

You don't have to do anything! We've got your website covered.

We are proud to use the Duda web design platform for all the websites we build. They are constantly innovating and on-top of the latest ranking factors, code optimizations, and providing fantastic features. Their CTO just released an editorial about staying ahead of the curve and one line in particular stood out to us. "If web designers want to build a website that optimizes for Core Web Vitals, they need to first make sure the platform they use is optimized for these metrics."
Our team of web designers at GoBeRewarded are always working hard to stay on top of design best practices and working with our clients and Media Team to create content that stands out and appeals to visitors.

This combination of a solid, innovative web platform and our driven Web Design Team insures that your website will stay relevant and competitive for years to come.

Originally posted at Duda.co

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Why Local SEO is a Game Changer for San Diego Small Businesses

08 May, 2024

In San Diego's bustling markets, small businesses face the constant challenge of standing out in a crowded digital landscape. Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has emerged as a critical strategy for these businesses, transforming how they attract local customers and compete effectively in their regional market. This blog post explores why local SEO is indispensable for San Diego small businesses and how it can dramatically improve their online visibility and foot traffic. The Importance of Local SEO Local SEO enhances a business's visibility in localized search results on Google and other search engines. For small businesses in San Diego, this means appearing in front of potential customers actively searching for products or services they offer in the area. Consider these compelling reasons why local SEO is essential: Targeted Geographic Campaigns: Local SEO allows businesses to target campaigns specifically in the San Diego area, ensuring marketing efforts are focused directly on the most relevant audience. This geographical targeting is more cost-effective and yields higher returns on investment. Increased Web Traffic: Small businesses can dramatically increase their web traffic by optimizing for local search terms and utilizing local business listings. This increased exposure leads to more website visits and potentially, more conversions. Enhanced Online Presence: Businesses can strengthen their online presence through tools like Google My Business, Yelp, and other local directories. Complete and optimized listings improve search rankings and give potential customers easy access to business information, such as hours, location, and services. Competitive Advantage: Many small businesses in San Diego may not yet have fully optimized for local SEO. Adopting these strategies can give your business a significant edge over less digitally savvy competitors. How Local SEO Benefits San Diego Small Businesses Implementing local SEO strategies can reap numerous benefits for a small business. Here’s how it works: Optimizing Google My Business (GMB): One of the most powerful tools for local SEO, GMB allows businesses to manage their online information across Google, including Search and Maps. You enhance your local search rankings and visibility by keeping your GMB information up-to-date and encouraging customers to leave reviews. Using Local Keywords: Incorporating local keywords such as "San Diego bakery" or "IT support in San Diego" into your website’s content helps Google understand where your business is located and what you offer, making it more likely to show your site to users in that area. Building Local Backlinks: Getting links from well-regarded local websites (like local newspapers or business associations) can boost your SEO rankings by proving to search engines that your business is relevant and respected in the local community. Creating Location-Specific Content: Tailoring content to reflect local events, news, or activities can attract local traffic to your website. For example, a blog post about participating in a San Diego community event can resonate well with local audiences. Mobile Optimization: With the increase in mobile searches, having a mobile-optimized website is crucial. Many local searches occur on mobile devices as people look for businesses while on the go in San Diego. Start Leveraging Local SEO Today For San Diego small businesses looking to grow and thrive, local SEO is not just a marketing strategy; it's a necessary investment. By improving your local SEO, you're enhancing your visibility, connecting with your community, and building a stronger local presence. Begin by assessing your current local SEO performance and identifying areas for improvement. If you need help optimizing your efforts, consider engaging a local SEO expert . With the right strategies in place, you’ll soon see an increase in local traffic—both online and offline—which can lead to greater sales and a solidified place in the San Diego market.