For the past 20 years, I’ve been developing websites and helping countless businesses generate consistent inquiries for their products and services through their online presence. Along the way, I’ve identified some key elements that contribute to higher rankings on search engine results. While I don’t focus exclusively on SEO optimization techniques, I ensure that every website I create is built with optimized keywords for each product and incorporates effective copywriting practices across all pages.
In today’s digital landscape, your website’s performance and usability are key to engaging visitors and driving success. Google emphasizes user experience through metrics like Core Web Vitals, Best Practices, and SEO Scores, which collectively influence your search engine rankings and audience retention. But what do these terms mean, and how do they impact your website?
Let’s dive deep into these concepts and understand how to optimize your site to meet these standards effectively.
What Are Core Web Vitals?
The Building Blocks of a Great User Experience
Core Web Vitals are specific performance metrics defined by Google to measure the user experience of a website. They are a subset of factors used in Google’s overall page experience ranking signal. These metrics focus on three key aspects of user experience:
1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP):
- What It Measures:
The time it takes for the largest visible content (like an image, video, or text) to load completely. - Why It Matters:
A fast LCP ensures that users see your main content quickly, reducing bounce rates. - Ideal Threshold:
LCP should occur within 2.5 seconds or less.
2. First Input Delay (FID):
- What It Measures:
The time it takes for the website to respond to the user’s first interaction (e.g., clicking a button). - Why It Matters:
A low FID ensures that your site is responsive and interactive, leading to better user satisfaction. - Ideal Threshold:
FID should be 100 milliseconds or less.
3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):
- What It Measures:
The visual stability of your website during loading. It tracks unexpected shifts in content layout, which can annoy users. - Why It Matters:
Stable layouts reduce user frustration and improve engagement. - Ideal Threshold:
A CLS score of 0.1 or less is optimal.
Sample Core Web Vitals Assessment, Mobile and Desktop Scores, Best Practices and SEO Score of one of my client website Screenshots used in this blog.
Google Web Vital Assessment

Best Practices in Website Optimization
Why Following Best Practices Matters
Best practices are like the golden rules of web development—they ensure your website is secure, user-friendly, and aligned with industry standards. Google’s Best Practices score evaluates your site’s adherence to these principles.
Key Areas Assessed in Best Practices
1. HTTPS Security:
Using HTTPS ensures data transmission between the user and your site is encrypted and secure. Google penalizes non-secure websites.
2. Safe Browsing:
Websites should avoid hosting malicious content such as malware or phishing attacks. Google checks your site for potential risks.
3. Avoiding Mixed Content:
All resources (like images, scripts, and videos) should load over HTTPS to maintain user trust and security.
4. Efficient Code and APIs:
Use modern JavaScript practices and secure APIs to avoid errors and security vulnerabilities.
5. Accessibility:
Ensure your site is accessible to users of all abilities. Features like alt attributes for images and proper labeling of interactive elements improve usability.
Website Best Practices

Understanding SEO Scores
The Role of SEO in Website Success
Google’s SEO Score measures how well your website is optimized to appear in search results. It focuses on on-page elements that make your content easier for search engines to understand and rank.
Factors That Influence SEO Scores
1. Mobile-Friendliness:
With mobile-first indexing, ensuring your site works seamlessly on smartphones is critical. A responsive design boosts your SEO score.
2. Meta Tags:
Optimized meta descriptions and title tags help search engines understand your content and improve click-through rates.
3. Heading Tags (H1-H6):
Using headings to structure content helps both users and search engines navigate your site easily.
4. Alt Text for Images:
Descriptive alt text improves accessibility and allows images to rank in search results.
5. Structured Data:
Implementing schema markup helps search engines interpret your content, enabling features like rich snippets.
SEO Score

How Core Web Vitals, Best Practices, and SEO Scores Work Together
The Ultimate Goal: User Experience
These metrics are interconnected and collectively ensure a great user experience. A fast, secure, and SEO-optimized site not only ranks higher on Google but also keeps visitors engaged and satisfied.
Tips to Improve Your Website Scores
Boosting Core Web Vitals:
- Optimize images using modern formats like WebP.
- Minimize JavaScript and CSS blocking resources.
- Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to reduce server response times.
Enhancing Best Practices:
- Always serve your site over HTTPS.
- Regularly audit your site for security vulnerabilities.
- Use modern coding standards and frameworks.
Improving SEO:
- Conduct keyword research to optimize your meta tags and headings.
- Ensure your site is mobile-responsive and loads quickly on all devices.
- Use internal and external linking effectively to improve site authority.
5 Additional FAQs
1. Why are Core Web Vitals important for SEO?
Core Web Vitals are directly linked to Google’s page experience signal, which influences search rankings. Optimizing these metrics improves user satisfaction and organic traffic.
2. How often should I monitor my website scores?
Regularly! Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse monthly to identify and fix performance issues.
3. Does a low SEO score mean my website won’t rank?
Not necessarily, but it does indicate areas that need improvement. A low score can hinder your site’s visibility and user engagement.
4. What tools can I use to improve Core Web Vitals?
Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and Lighthouse are great for analyzing and improving Core Web Vitals.
5. How do I prioritize fixes on my website?
Start with critical issues impacting user experience, such as LCP or mobile responsiveness, and work towards less urgent areas like improving alt text or meta descriptions.
Final thoughts
Improving your website’s Core Web Vitals, Best Practices, and SEO Scores is not just about pleasing search engines—it’s about delivering an exceptional user experience. By optimizing these areas, you create a secure, fast, and user-friendly website that drives traffic, engagement, and conversions.
With the right tools and strategies, achieving top scores is well within your reach. Start your optimization journey today, and watch your rankings and user satisfaction soar!
Check your website with basic ranking factors in this Google Tool Google Page Speed
Copy my client website that used for screenshot example. Shansen Enterprises – Electrical fuses and contactors Sellers