Core Web Vitals explained for non-developers

Last updated 3 July 2026 | Websites for Trades editorial team

1 min read

Core Web Vitals are three metrics Google uses as a ranking factor. They measure how fast your page feels to a real user, not how fast it loads in theory.

LCP, Largest Contentful Paint

How long it takes for the biggest visible element (usually your hero image) to appear. Google's "Good" threshold is under 2.5 seconds. Most UK SMB sites are at 3–6 seconds.

Fix: compress images, use modern formats (WebP/AVIF), preload the hero image, fix slow hosting.

INP, Interaction to Next Paint

How responsive your page feels when someone clicks or taps something. Replaced the old "FID" metric in 2024. Good threshold: under 200ms.

Fix: reduce JavaScript bloat, defer non-essential scripts, audit third-party scripts (chat widgets, analytics).

CLS, Cumulative Layout Shift

How much the page jumps around as it loads (annoying when you go to click a button and it moves). Good threshold: under 0.1.

Fix: specify width/height on images, reserve space for ads and embeds, avoid late-loading fonts.

How to check yours

Google Search Console → Core Web Vitals. Or run any page through PageSpeed Insights.

Services that fit this guide

Website rebuild

Fix deep speed, layout and platform problems when patches are not enough.

Website audit

Measure Core Web Vitals, scripts and image issues before changing code.

Website design

Launch fast pages with mobile-first conversion paths from day one.

Key terms

Useful glossary definitions for this guide.

Frequently asked questions

What are Core Web Vitals?

Core Web Vitals are Google metrics for page experience, covering loading speed, responsiveness and visual stability.

Which Core Web Vital should I fix first?

Fix the metric that is failing on your important landing pages first. For many small business sites, that is usually LCP from slow images or hosting.

Do Core Web Vitals affect SEO?

Yes, Core Web Vitals are part of Google page experience signals, but useful content, local relevance and conversion quality still matter more.

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