Is Web Performance Optimization the New SEO?
So, you have been jetsetting all over the world to document your travels, but your blog just isn’t getting anywhere! Alongside SEO, web performance optimization is a major advantage in blogging. So, from page ranking to using SEO alongside WPO, here is some handy info.
The Need for Speed on the Web
Slow sites suffer from many issues, including higher bounce rates, low ranking, and simple user frustration. Any of these can severely negatively impact your domain authority, and Google won’t recognize your blog as valuable. Speeding up a blog is a valuable way to improve the experience for visitors. Therefore, it can help you understand prefetching vs prerendering as a tool for improving your blog’s loading speed and enhancing the overall user experience.
Ranking and the User Experience (UX)
As mentioned, a slow site can experience a drop in page ranking. Conversely, your blog’s rank will increase as you improve specific things, such as the loading speed. However, Google gives priority to well-branded sites, sites that load faster, and sites that are optimized for multiple devices such as PC, laptops, and mobile. The more attention you pay to providing a top-quality user experience, the more likely you are to see results that increase your SERP ranking.
Improving Web Performance Optimization
Slow sites don’t get anywhere. Maybe you want to make money as a travel blogger and put a lot of effort into your blog. So, how can you actually improve your website to get some of the benefits? Consistency and relevancy will help. But some technical adjustments are required:
Consider using a faster hosting provider that has a reliable track record of uptime.
Reduce how much JavaScript your site uses by minifying existing code or converting it.
Take advantage of caching and lazy loading features if they are available for your blog.
Optimize and/or remove unnecessary CSS code to boost page loading speeds.
Cache and compress media such as images to reduce the strain on page loads.
The SEO and WPO Double Act
Okay, so have we answered whether WPO is the new SEO? Maybe not, since it would require a more in-depth analysis. What can safely be said though, is that SEO and WPO can work together for stunning results and set your blog up for future success. For example, Google places websites that offer a good experience higher, and SEO such as relevant keywords are a major part of this. Of course, a great UX also means a lower bounce rate and more traffic.
Improving Web Development
Developing a website or blog today is much different than even ten years ago. Modern blogs rely on a well-planned user experience, interactivity, and technical methods such as page speed load times. You also have to think about enhancing your blog for multiple types of devices, such as smartphones. All of this can be a lot to handle, especially if you are not technically savvy or new to modern blogging. However, it helps to start small and refine your skills as you go along.
Summary
Speed is the primary concern when it comes to web performance optimization, and SEO can help. Rather than working against each other, WPO and SEO are best used together to improve site performance, and you can learn a lot about both techniques as you develop further skills.
