Why Performance Matters
Performance is not just a technical metric — it directly impacts user experience, SEO rankings, and conversion rates. A 1-second delay in page load can reduce conversions by 7%.
Core Web Vitals
Google uses three key metrics to measure performance:
Practical Tips
1. Optimize Images
Always use modern formats like WebP or AVIF. Use lazy loading for below-the-fold images. Always define width and height to avoid layout shifts.
2. Reduce JavaScript Bundle
Code split your application. Use dynamic imports for heavy components. Remove unused dependencies regularly.
3. Use a CDN
Serve static assets from a CDN close to your users. Vercel does this automatically for Next.js apps.
4. Minimize Render Blocking
Load non-critical CSS and JS asynchronously. Use resource hints like preload and prefetch strategically.
5. Cache Aggressively
Set proper cache headers for static assets. Use service workers for offline caching where appropriate.
