Core Web Vitals — Largest Contentful Paint, Interaction to Next Paint and Cumulative Layout Shift — affect both user experience and search visibility. In our audits, the same few issues cause most poor scores.
1. Optimise the hero image
The largest element on most pages is a hero image. Serve it in a modern format, size it correctly for each device, and preload it. Never lazy-load the image that appears first on screen.
2. Reduce third-party scripts
Chat widgets, tag managers and tracking pixels often block the main thread. Audit every script, remove what you do not use and load the rest after the page becomes interactive.
3. Reserve space for content
Layout shift is usually caused by images without dimensions, late-loading fonts and banners inserted above content. Set width and height on media and reserve space for dynamic elements.
4. Load fonts efficiently
Use fewer font weights, preconnect to the font host and use font-display: swap so text appears immediately.