When enhancing website speed and performance, some of the most effective strategies are often the least discussed. While many focus on broad, well-known techniques such as image compression and server optimizations, several lesser-known practices can yield significant improvements. Here, we spotlight these hidden gems crucial for optimizing your website’s speed and performance but tend to be overlooked.
Optimize Video Content
While engaging, video content can significantly drag page loading times, especially on mobile. Compressing video files and converting them into more efficient formats like WebM can drastically reduce file sizes without a noticeable loss in quality. This optimization speeds up page loads and enhances user experience, yet it’s often underutilized in standard optimization tasks.
Implement Descriptive Link Text
The clarity of link text might seem like a minor detail, but it plays a significant role in usability and SEO. Replacing generic “Learn More” links with descriptive, context-specific text can drastically improve site navigation and accessibility. This approach aids users and search engines alike, yet it’s frequently overlooked in favor of more visible content changes.
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Enhance Readability with Proper Contrast and Font Size
Improving text readability by adjusting the color contrast and increasing font sizes is essential for accessibility but often neglected. These changes are crucial for users with visual impairments and can significantly impact the overall user experience. Ensuring that all text on your site is easily readable is a simple yet effective method to enhance user engagement and comply with accessibility standards.
Maintain Logical Header Hierarchy
The structure of header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) is pivotal for SEO and accessibility but is commonly disrupted during website updates or redesigns. A logical and consistent header hierarchy aids search engines in indexing and screen readers in content navigation. This aspect of site structure is a fundamental component of web development that often gets lost in the shuffle.
Optimize SVGs
SVGs are favored for their scalability and small file sizes, making them ideal for modern web designs. However, ensuring that SVGs have defined width and height attributes can prevent layout shifts during page loads, contributing to a stable visual experience. This detail, crucial for improving Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) scores, is frequently overlooked during design-to-web development.
Improve Accessibility with ARIA Labels
Adding ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) labels to interactive elements like social media icons enhances accessibility, helping users who rely on assistive technologies understand the function of each component. Despite their importance for inclusivity, ARIA labels are often an afterthought in web design and development.
Conclusion
These optimizations are just some of the hidden gems in the realm of website speed and performance enhancement. While often overlooked, they are incredibly effective at improving user experience, accessibility, and SEO. As we advance in digital practices, it’s vital to recognize and implement these lesser-known yet influential techniques to keep your website at the forefront of performance optimization. Regularly revisiting and updating your optimization strategies with these hidden gems can help maintain a competitive edge and ensure a superior user experience. Enilon can take on this role for you! We have experts ready to optimize your web experience. Contact us today.
