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Glossary

What is TTFB?

TTFB stands for Time To First Byte. It's the time it takes for a website to receive the first byte of data from its server after a request is made. This metric is crucial because it can affect how quickly a page loads and affects user experience on your website.

The lower the TTFB, the faster your website will load. Factors that can influence TTFB include server response time, network congestion, and inefficient coding practices.

In order to improve your website's TTFB, you may need to optimize your server configuration, use a content delivery network (CDN), or reduce the size of your files. By improving this metric, you can enhance user experience and drive more traffic to your site.

How Does TTFB Affect SEO?

A slow loading website with high TTFB can negatively impact search engine rankings. Google has stated that page speed is an important factor in determining search results and includes metrics like TTFB as part of their scoring algorithm.

To avoid penalties for slow loading times, webmasters should aim for a TTFB under 200ms. Improving load times not only improves SEO but also improves bounce rate since users are less likely to abandon a fast-loading page.

Tips for Decreasing Your Website's TTFB

If you're looking to decrease your website's TTFB there are several steps you can take:

  • Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) - CDNs store copies of websites on servers around the world which ensures faster loading times for users no matter their location.
  • Optimize Images - Large images slow down page load times significantly so compressing them will have an immediate impact on TTFB.
  • Choose a Reliable Host - Make sure your web host has fast servers and offers the latest caching technology to speed up your site's loading times.

By taking these steps you can improve your website's TTFB and create a better user experience for visitors while also improving your search engine rankings.

TTFB is an important metric that affects how quickly your website loads and ultimately impacts user experience. By optimizing load times, you can improve both SEO and overall site performance. So take the necessary steps today to decrease your site's TTFB and watch as user engagement increases.