Core Web Vitals are three Google metrics that measure a page's perceived speed and stability.
- LCP: time for the main content to appear (aim under 2.5s).
- INP: responsiveness to clicks (aim under 200ms).
- CLS: visual stability, no content jumping around (aim under 0.1).
A visitor who waits is a client who leaves. Core Web Vitals are how Google measures what a user actually experiences on your page. Three metrics, three simple questions.
The three metrics
LCP, does it load fast?
Largest Contentful Paint measures the time before the main content (often the top image or title) is visible. Target: under 2.5 seconds. Beyond that, it "feels slow".
INP, does it react fast?
Interaction to Next Paint measures the delay between a click and the page's visible response. Target: under 200ms. A button that "thinks" before acting breaks trust.
CLS, does it move?
Cumulative Layout Shift measures stability: does content jump during loading (an ad pushing the text, a button shifting at click time)? Target: under 0.1.
Speed isn't a technical detail. It's the first impression, before your message.
Why it matters for business
The slower a page, the higher the bounce rate and the lower the conversions. Google also factors these signals into ranking: a slow site is doubly penalised, in experience and in visibility.
How to improve
- Compress and size images (modern formats, lazy loading).
- Cut unnecessary JavaScript and third-party scripts.
- Reserve space for images and ads to avoid jumps.
- Host on fast infrastructure with proper caching.
On our projects, we aim for loads under one second, mobile and desktop. Not for the score: for the client who doesn't leave.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure my Core Web Vitals?
Does a good score guarantee more sales?
Do I need to rebuild everything to be faster?
Want a site, or an ecosystem, truly built for this? 60 minutes, no strings, to talk it through.