How to Improve FCP in WordPress (Tried & Tested)

February 28, 2024
Cloudways Managed Cloud Hosting Platform
Hosting, WordPress
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Ever feel like your WordPress site takes ages to load? If so, you’re not alone. Slow websites frustrate users and hurt your search ranking. But fret not, WordPress developers! This article simplifies improving a key metric: First Contentful Paint (FCP).

Think of FCP as the moment your user sees the first bit of actual content, like text or an image. The faster it appears, the happier they are. Slow FCP? They might click away before seeing your useful content.

In this article, I’ll break down FCP improvements into easy steps that even coding ninjas-in-training can understand. I’ll talk about using special styles (“critical CSS”) and removing any roadblocks (“render-blocking resources”).

What Is FCP and Why Is It Important?

FCP is a crucial metric that measures the time it takes for the browser to render the first piece of meaningful content on your page. This could be text, an image, an icon, or any element that isn’t just a loading spinner or background color.

In essence, it’s the moment your visitor finally sees something tangible, a sign that your website is alive and kicking. A speedy FCP tells visitors, “Hey, we’re here and ready to show you something awesome!”

On the other hand, a slow FCP conveys an image of sluggishness and potential technical issues. This can lead to frustrated visitors bouncing away before even experiencing your content, impacting your engagement and conversion rates.

Improving FCP is about ensuring that your website delivers that initial “wow” moment promptly. By taking control of how your page renders, you can improve user experience, boost SEO rankings, and create a website that truly shines.