Improving your Core Web Vitals, specifically Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), is crucial for a positive user experience and higher search engine rankings. A poor CLS score means your website is unstable and frustrating for visitors, leading to higher bounce rates and lost conversions. This guide provides a complete solution to boost your store's CLS and create a smoother, more enjoyable shopping experience.
Understanding Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
Before diving into solutions, let's clarify what CLS is. CLS measures visual stability. A high CLS score indicates unexpected layout shifts on your webpage as it loads. These shifts occur when elements suddenly change position, causing users to accidentally click the wrong buttons or links, leading to a frustrating experience.
Common Causes of High CLS:
- Images without specified dimensions: Images without
widthandheightattributes force the browser to reflow the page as it loads the image, causing layout shifts. - Advertisements and embedded content: Unexpectedly loading ads or embedded content can push page elements around.
- Fonts loading slowly: If your web fonts take time to load, text might reflow once they arrive.
- Dynamically injected content: Content added to the page after initial load can cause layout shifts.
- Unoptimized videos: Videos that take time to buffer can cause shifting of elements below them.
Proven Strategies to Improve Your Store's CLS
Now that we understand the culprits, let's tackle how to fix them and boost your CLS score:
1. Reserve Space for Images and Videos
Always specify the width and height attributes for all images and videos. This tells the browser exactly how much space to allocate, preventing layout shifts as they load. This is arguably the most important step.
2. Optimize Images and Videos
Use optimized images and videos. Compress them to reduce file size without sacrificing quality. Using tools like TinyPNG or Cloudinary can significantly improve page load speed and reduce the chance of layout shifts.
3. Prevent Unexpected Content Injection
Avoid injecting content into the page after the initial load unless absolutely necessary. If you must do so, use JavaScript to reserve space for the content beforehand. Consider using placeholders to prevent elements from jumping around.
4. Use Placeholders for Ads and Embedded Content
When embedding ads or other content, use placeholders to reserve space. This prevents the content below from shifting when the ad loads. This applies to any content that may load asynchronously.
5. Asynchronous Loading Strategies
For content you can't load synchronously, strategically use techniques like lazy loading. This will improve perceived load times, reducing chances of user interactions with incomplete layout.
6. Choose Web Fonts Wisely and Optimize Loading
Select web fonts that load quickly. Use techniques like font subsetting to reduce the file size and improve loading times. Also, consider preloading crucial web fonts to minimize visual disruption.
7. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A CDN distributes your website's content across multiple servers globally, reducing latency and improving loading speed. This indirectly aids in reducing CLS by ensuring faster asset delivery.
Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
Improving CLS is an ongoing process. Regularly monitor your CLS score using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or Search Console. Track changes after implementing each optimization strategy to see what works best for your store.
Remember: Focus on providing a great user experience. A low CLS score improves user satisfaction, reduces bounce rates, and increases conversions – ultimately leading to better SEO and business outcomes. Consistent monitoring and improvement will significantly impact your ranking.
Off-Page SEO to Boost Authority
While on-page optimization directly impacts CLS, off-page SEO helps improve overall website authority, positively impacting your search ranking and visibility. Focus on:
- High-quality Backlinks: Earn backlinks from reputable and relevant websites.
- Social Media Engagement: Actively engage with your audience on social media.
- Brand Building: Invest in building a strong brand reputation.
By combining these on-page and off-page strategies, you'll significantly boost your store's CLS and improve your overall SEO performance. A smooth, stable, and visually appealing website is key to success in today's competitive online marketplace.
