There are hundreds of ways to optimize website performance, but most have minimal impact. Instead of chasing every possible optimization, focus on the few changes that actually move the needle. Here's where to start.
Start with Core Web Vitals
Google's Core Web Vitals measure the user experience aspects that matter most: loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. Fix these first.
LCP
Largest Contentful Paint
How quickly the main content loads
Target: Under 2.5s
INP
Interaction to Next Paint
How responsive your site feels
Target: Under 200ms
CLS
Cumulative Layout Shift
How stable the layout is
Target: Under 0.1
Key takeaway
Performance optimization is about focusing on what matters most. Start with Core Web Vitals, fix your biggest images, eliminate render-blocking resources, and prevent layout shifts. These changes will have more impact than any amount of micro-optimization.