Web Performance Best Practices
Web performance is critical for user experience and business metrics. Users expect pages to load in under 3 seconds, and slow sites see higher bounce rates. Let's explore practical strategies to optimize your web applications.
Image Optimization
Images often account for 50% of page weight. Always compress images, use modern formats like WebP, implement lazy loading, and serve responsive images. Consider using an image CDN for automatic optimization.
Code Splitting and Lazy Loading
Don't load everything upfront. Split your bundle by routes and features, loading code only when users need it. Lazy load below-the-fold content to improve initial page load times.
Caching Strategies
Implement browser caching for static assets with far-future expires headers. Use a CDN to serve content from locations near your users. Set appropriate cache-control headers for different content types.
Core Web Vitals
Focus on metrics that matter: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) for loading performance, First Input Delay (FID) for interactivity, and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) for visual stability. Use tools like Google Lighthouse to measure these.
"Performance is not a feature, it's a requirement."
— Marcus Thompson