Google Page Speed is a tool that a developer uses to check mobile and desktop performance. However, mobile speeds have many more factors and can constantly change when testing. Four Google Page Speed servers exist in Oregon, South Carolina, the Netherlands and Taiwan. The closest speed testing server to New Zealand would be in Taiwan. Therefore before I explain more about Google Page Speed testing, keep in mind where the testing locations are, especially when it comes to achieving a high mobile score here in New Zealand. Regardless of those locations, ensure that your developer/website builder is aiming high when it comes to achieving these results. They still hold merit.
Google Page Speed is a tool that measures a website’s performance on both mobile and desktop devices. It is an important metric for website owners as it affects user experience, search engine rankings, and website traffic. In recent years, Google has emphasised mobile page speed more, as mobile traffic has surpassed desktop traffic. This blog will focus on Google Page Speed for mobile devices and why it fluctuates.
Google Page Speed is a complex metric that considers various factors, such as server response time, page size, and the number of requests made by a website. When a website is accessed on a mobile device, the speed at which it loads is impacted by several factors unique to mobile devices. These factors include mobile network speeds, device processing power, and available memory.
One of the main reasons why Google Page Speed fluctuates on mobile devices is the variability of mobile network speeds. The speed at which a website loads on a mobile device heavily depends on the speed of the mobile network to which the device is connected. If the network is slow or congested, it can significantly impact the loading time of a website. This is why website owners need to optimise their websites for mobile devices and ensure that the website loads quickly, even on slow networks.
Another factor that can impact mobile Page Speed is the processing power of the mobile device itself. Older devices with slower processors may struggle to load complex websites, resulting in slower page load times. This is why website owners should consider optimising their websites for lower-end mobile devices by reducing the size of images and using optimised code.
Additionally, the available memory on a mobile device can impact Page Speed. A mobile device with limited memory may struggle to load large websites or websites with heavy multimedia content. This can result in slower page load times and a poor user experience. Therefore, website owners should consider optimising their websites for mobile devices by reducing the size of images and using optimised code.
It is also important to note that mobile Page Speed can fluctuate due to changes in the website content. Therefore, a website owner adding new content or features to their website can impact the website’s loading speed on mobile devices. For example, adding high-resolution images or videos to a website can significantly increase its loading time on mobile devices. Therefore, website owners should regularly monitor their website’s Page Speed and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that the website is optimised for mobile devices.
Another reason why Google Page Speed fluctuates on mobile devices is due to changes in the Google Page Speed algorithm. Google constantly updates its Page Speed algorithm to provide users with the best search experience. Unfortunately, these updates can impact a website’s Page Speed score, even if the website content remains the same. Therefore, website owners should stay up to date with the latest Google Page Speed updates and make changes to their website as necessary to maintain a high Page Speed score.
In conclusion, Google Page Speed is an important metric for website owners to monitor, especially on mobile devices. Various factors, including mobile network speeds, device processing power, available memory, changes in website content, and changes in the Google Page Speed algorithm, can cause fluctuations in mobile Page Speed. By optimising their websites for mobile devices and regularly monitoring their website’s Page Speed, website owners can ensure that their website provides a fast and user-friendly experience for all users.
If your website targets a global audience, ensure you use a caching server. If your primary audience is local, there is no need to use a caching server. For example, a Google Page Speed score for mobile in New Zealand could range from 75-100; we feel 75-90 is still within a reasonable range; however, if your mobile scores are between 50-74, you should be asking the question of how well in your website optimised for mobile. However, our final note is to compare your mobile speed with your desktop speed, as they should be similar, except that the performance score will be much greater on the desktop. If it isn’t, you have a problem.
Please get in touch with our team if you have any questions about what we have mentioned in this article.
