Make your website easier to use while it loads
A website can look polished in a screenshot and still be frustrating to use. A large image may hold up the first screen, text may shift as a font appears, or a form may take too long to respond. These moments deserve attention alongside the finished design.
Check an ordinary visit
Test the pages people are likely to use on a phone, as well as on your usual computer. Open a fresh session and try the main tasks: find a service, open a project and send a test enquiry.
Write down what gets in the way. Does a button move just as you try to tap it? Is an animation hiding content you are ready to read? Does a submission leave you unsure whether anything happened?
Review the heaviest content
Images and video are worth checking early. Use files sized for their purpose rather than uploading a full-resolution original for a small card. Where possible, let content further down the page load as it is needed.
Also review scripts added for widgets, analytics and visual effects. Keep the ones that serve a clear purpose and check their effect on the pages that use them.
Keep the page steady
Reserve space for images and embedded content so the layout does not jump when they appear. Make sure text remains readable and important controls stay in a predictable position.
Give forms a clear response when they are submitted, including a helpful message if something goes wrong. Waiting is harder when the page gives no indication of what is happening.
Repeat the same checks after changes
Use performance measurements to identify problems, then return to the tasks a visitor needs to complete. A score is useful evidence, but it is only part of the review.
Check again after adding new photography, plugins or tracking tools. Treat loading behaviour as part of maintaining the website, alongside keeping the information current.
Need help applying this to your website?
Explore our website redesign and mobile usability improvements, or send us your website address and tell us what you want to improve.