Mastering First Contentful Paint (FCP) for WordPress Success

First Contentful Paint, commonly known as FCP, is defined by Google as part of its Core Web Vitals. It measures the time taken for the first piece of content to appear on your site from the moment a user initiates the page load. 

For WordPress site owners, FCP is a reflection of your website’s health and its potential impact on user experience and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). A swift FCP means visitors aren’t staring at a blank screen, resulting in better experience and engagement. 

Google’s emphasis on user experience in its ranking algorithms means that your site’s FCP directly influences its position in search results. Having a good FCP score, ideally within the top 25th percentile of web experiences, makes a difference. As per Google’s guidelines, this translates to an FCP of 1.8 seconds or less.

Top strategies to improve your WordPress FCP

1. Reduce server response times

When enhancing the FCP of your WordPress site, a necessary step is reducing server response times, commonly measured as Time to First Byte (TTFB). 

TTFB measures the milliseconds it takes for a user’s browser to receive the first byte of page content from your server. But why might your TTFB be lagging? The most common reasons are:  

• Network issues.
• Server configurations that aren’t optimized for speed. 
• High traffic overloading your server.

To speed up your TTFB, you can:

• Opt for reliable hosting services with the infrastructure and expertise to handle web traffic efficiently.
• Incorporate a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to store copies of your site at various locations globally so that users get served from the nearest location, reducing wait times significantly.
• Implement caching so your site doesn’t need to be loaded from scratch each time a user accesses it.

2. Eliminate render‑blocking resources

Render-blocking resources are typically JavaScript and CSS files that must be fully loaded and processed before the browser can display the page content. If these files are hefty or complex, your site’s FCP time will increase.

By optimizing the way your WordPress site handles JavaScript and CSS files, you can significantly cut down on load times. Here’s what you need to do:

For JavaScript files

A smart move is to use the async and defer attributes for JavaScript files. 

When you use async, you tell the browser to continue building the page while the JavaScript file loads in the background. Once the script is downloaded, the browser will pause the HTML parsing to execute the script, and then resume the HTML parsing. Async is most effective when the scripts in the file don’t need to execute in any particular order.

With defer, you’re instructing the browser to hold off on executing the JavaScript until after the HTML is fully on display. This ensures that your script can interact with the HTML elements if it needs to.

💡 The choice between async and defer largely depends on the nature of the scripts being used:

• If the order of execution is important and the script needs a fully constructed webpage, defer is the way to go. 
• For scripts that are independent of the HTML elements on the page and order is not a priority, async can be a more efficient choice.

For CSS files

Consider inlining critical CSS directly in the HTML. This means taking the essential styling needed for the above-the-fold content (the first thing users see) and including it right in the HTML document. This strategy ensures that the browser doesn’t have to wait for an external CSS file to start painting the page.

Trimming down unnecessary or unused CSS and JavaScript can also aid in speeding up FCP, making it more efficient.

Minify CSS

Minification is the process of removing unnecessary or redundant data without affecting functionality. These non-essential data could be the formatting of your CSS files – like whitespace, comments, and block delimiters. 

This strategy significantly reduces the size of your CSS files, ensuring they load faster and improve your site’s FCP. There are numerous tools and plugins that can help you minify CSS effortlessly. One popular tool is WP Rocket – it minifies CSS and offers a range of other features to speed up your WordPress website, like caching and delaying JavaScript execution.

You can also use other plugins, such as Autoptimize, W3 Total Cache. These tools automate the minification process, which means you don’t need to manually edit your CSS files, saving you both time and potential headaches.

Avoid JavaScript‑dependent elements above the fold

If your above-the-fold content (the first thing visitors see) relies heavily on JavaScript, it can significantly delay the FCP. That’s because the browser must first download, parse, and execute the JavaScript before it can display the content.

To enhance FCP, the goal is to structure your website so that the above-the-fold content is primarily dependent on HTML and CSS, not JavaScript. This means organizing your site’s layout and essential visual elements in a way that they can be rendered quickly and efficiently without waiting for JavaScript to kick in. 

Here’s how you can do this:

1. Assess which parts of your site need JavaScript and which do not. For instance, simple design elements and basic content should not require JavaScript. You can then structure your HTML to load these elements first. Use CSS for as much of your styling as possible, especially for the above-the-fold content. CSS loads faster than JavaScript and can often achieve similar visual effects.
2. Defer or asynchronously load JavaScript files, especially those not critical for the initial page render. This way, your website can display its primary content without waiting for all the JavaScript to load and execute.

By prioritizing the loading of HTML and CSS for above-the-fold content and reducing the initial reliance on JavaScript, you speed up FCP and create a smoother, more responsive experience for your visitors as soon as they land on your WordPress site.

Optimize images and avoid lazy loading above the fold

Unoptimized images can take a considerable amount of time to load. This is especially problematic when these images are placed above the fold, as they can significantly delay the FCP. 

For example, a high-resolution hero image on your homepage, if not properly optimized, can be like a roadblock slowing down traffic.

Here’s how to avoid this: 

• Use image compression to reduce the file size without noticeably affecting image quality.
• Choose the right format for your images. Formats like JPEG are generally smaller and load faster than formats like PNG for photographic content.
• Implementing responsive images, which involves serving different image sizes based on the user’s device. For example, a smaller image file can be served to a smartphone user compared to a desktop user, ensuring faster loading times on smaller devices.
• Employ lazy loading, which is a technique where images are only loaded when they enter the browser’s viewport. While this is beneficial for images below the fold, it should be avoided for above-the-fold content.

There are several plugins that can simplify this process. Smush, for instance, is a popular option that automates image compression and optimization. 

Implement server‑level caching

Server-level caching involves saving a copy of your website’s pages on the server after the first request. When subsequent visitors arrive, the server can display these cached pages without having to go through the entire page generation process again.

This approach is particularly powerful because it overcomes the limitations of browser caching. While browser caching stores website data on the user’s device after their first visit, it doesn’t help first-time visitors, who are crucial for impressions and SEO rankings. Server-level caching, on the other hand, speeds up the experience for all visitors, whether they’re returning or new.

Many WordPress hosting services now offer server-level caching as part of their packages, taking the technical complexity out of your hands. You can also use plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache – they offer various caching options, including server-level caching.

Reduce your DOM size

The Document Object Model, commonly referred to as the DOM, is an essential concept in web development. It represents your web pages so that programs (such as browsers or JavaScript code) can change the document structure, style, and content with user interactions. 

The DOM represents the document as a tree of objects – each object corresponds to a part of the page, like a text block, an image, or a header. In simpler terms, it’s like a map of your website’s structure, readable and manipulable by web browsers.

A smaller DOM can lead to a better First Contentful Paint because it reduces the workload on the browser. When a page has a large DOM tree, the browser needs more time to process it, which can delay the rendering of content on the screen. This increased processing time can negatively impact the FCP, leading to a longer wait time for the user before they see any content. 

Essentially, a leaner DOM allows for quicker interaction and a more responsive user experience.

Here are some practical tips to reduce DOM size:

• Minimize unnecessary div elements: Overusing the HTML div elements can lead to an unnecessarily large DOM. Simplify your page’s structure by removing divs that don’t serve a specific purpose.
• Leverage CSS more effectively: Instead of relying heavily on JavaScript or excessive HTML structures for styling, use CSS. CSS is faster for browsers to process and can often achieve the desired visual and functional results with a more streamlined DOM structure. This approach declutters the DOM and enhances the page’s load time.
• Semantic HTML: Use HTML5 semantic elements like <article>, <section>, <header>, <footer>, etc., instead of generic div elements wherever possible. Semantic HTML is more efficient, as it conveys meaning (or semantics), making the DOM more understandable and less cluttered.
• Optimize JavaScript-generated HTML: If your site uses JavaScript to dynamically generate HTML, ensure this process is efficient. Avoid unnecessary nesting of elements and review the generated HTML structure for opportunities to streamline.
• Audit and refactor your code: Regularly audit your site’s code for unnecessary elements and outdated practices. Tools like Chrome’s DevTools can help identify parts of your DOM that are excessively large or complex. Refactoring code might mean combining elements, simplifying CSS selectors, or restructuring parts of your page.
• Use CSS Grid and Flexbox: Modern CSS layout techniques like Grid and Flexbox can significantly reduce the need for extra divs and nested structures. They offer more efficient ways to create complex layouts with less HTML.
• Limit the use of third-party scripts: Third-party scripts can add extra elements to the DOM. Limit their use and opt for lightweight alternatives when possible.

Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a network of servers distributed geographically, designed to provide faster and more efficient web content delivery to users based on their location. 

Essentially, a CDN stores copies of your website’s content on multiple servers around the world. When a user accesses your website, the CDN serves the content from the nearest server, reducing the distance the data has to travel and, consequently, the loading time.

A CDN can significantly reduce TTFB by ensuring that the content is served from a location close to the user. This reduction in geographical distance and transit time for the data can lead to a faster FCP, which can contribute to better SEO rankings.

Reliable CDNs compatible with WordPress include:

• Cloudflare: Cloudflare is widely recognized for its extensive network and security features. It provides a free plan that is quite robust and is known for its easy integration with WordPress, making it a popular choice among WordPress site owners.
• Akamai: One of the oldest and most comprehensive CDN services available, Akamai is known for its massive network of servers and advanced security features, although it might be more suited for larger, enterprise-level websites.
• MaxCDN (now StackPath): StackPath offers high-speed CDN services and is particularly known for its user-friendly interface and effective integration with WordPress caching plugins, making it a preferred choice for small to medium-sized websites.
• KeyCDN: An affordable and efficient CDN provider that is easy to set up with WordPress, KeyCDN offers pay-as-you-go pricing, making it attractive for websites with variable traffic.
• Amazon CloudFront: Part of Amazon Web Services (AWS), CloudFront is a powerful CDN service that integrates well with other AWS services. It’s a suitable option for websites that require a high level of customization and are already part of the AWS ecosystem.
• Fastly: With a real-time CDN with edge computing capabilities, Fastly not only delivers content but can also run custom code very close to the user, offering unique personalization and optimization capabilities.
• Sucuri: Known primarily for its security solutions, Sucuri also offers a CDN service that integrates security and performance, making it a great option for WordPress sites concerned about both speed and security.

Avoid multiple page redirects

Redirects, while sometimes necessary for guiding users and search engines to the correct URL, can negatively impact FCP. When a browser encounters a redirect, it initiates additional HTTP request-response cycles. 

This means the browser must complete the process of requesting a URL, receiving the instruction to redirect, and then requesting the new URL. Each of these steps adds latency, delaying the time it takes for the first piece of content to appear on the screen, thus hampering FCP.

Excessive or unnecessary redirects create a longer path for the data to travel, increasing load times and frustrating users. It’s essential to use them judiciously and only when absolutely necessary.

Here’s what you can do to make sure that you’re effectively managing redirects effectively and optimizing your website’s performance and SEO:

• Audit your site for redirects: Use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, or WebPageTest to analyze your website and report the number and impact of redirects. They can help you identify redirects that are not essential.
• Review server configuration: Check your server configuration files (like .htaccess on Apache servers) for redirect rules. Sometimes redirects are set up and forgotten, so it’s important to periodically review these configurations.
• Simplify URL structure: Aim for a straightforward URL structure. This can reduce the need for redirects, especially in cases where URL patterns change over time.
• Check internal links: Ensure that all internal links point directly to the final destination URL, not to an intermediary URL that redirects.
• Update external links: If you have control over external links (like backlinks from other sites), try to ensure they point directly to the current URLs to avoid unnecessary redirects.
• Redirect chains: Avoid chains where one redirect leads to another. If a redirect is necessary, make sure it goes directly to the final target URL.
• Use 301 redirects for permanent changes: When redirects are necessary (like when pages are moved permanently), use 301 redirects. They are more efficient than temporary redirects (like 302s) and are better for SEO.

There are some plugins and tools that can help with this:

• Redirection is a popular plugin that helps manage and track 301 redirects, making it easier to handle redirects within WordPress.
• Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a powerful tool that can crawl your website, identifying redirects and redirect chains to help you understand and optimize your site’s redirect structure.

Regularly monitoring and fine-tuning these elements will keep your WordPress site running smoothly and efficiently, providing a superior experience for your visitors and maintaining a strong online presence.

Tools to measure your FCP score

Consistent FCP checks enable you to pinpoint bottlenecks, optimize content delivery, and enhance loading speeds, ensuring a seamless and efficient browsing experience for your visitors. Ignoring FCP monitoring risks alienating users and hindering your site’s success in an increasingly competitive online landscape.

Google’s PageSpeed Insights

PageSpeed Insights by Google is an excellent tool for measuring FCP, offering a comprehensive analysis of your website’s performance. It’s free and user-friendly. 

To use it:

1. Go to the PageSpeed Insights website.
2. Enter your URL.
3. Click on Analyze to let the tool evaluate your page.

PageSpeed Insights provides a detailed report, including the FCP score. It categorizes performance into ranges, with a score above 90 considered good. The tool also suggests actionable improvements to enhance your site’s loading speed and overall performance.

Lighthouse

Lighthouse, another free tool from Google, integrates with Chrome and provides insights into FCP as part of its performance score. 

You can access it in Chrome DevTools, under the Lighthouse tab. Lighthouse offers both lab data (under controlled conditions) and field data (reflecting real-world user experiences), giving a comprehensive view of your site’s FCP performance.

WebPageTest

WebPageTest is a versatile tool for FCP measurement and offers detailed performance insights. It allows you to test from different locations and browsers, providing a more nuanced understanding of your site’s performance across various conditions.

GTmetrix

GTmetrix combines the powers of Google Lighthouse and other tools, providing detailed reports on your website’s performance, including FCP. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive analysis make it a popular choice for website owners and developers.

By using these tools, you can keep a pulse on your website’s performance, making informed decisions to improve and maintain a high-quality user experience.

Improving First Contentful Paint (FCP) with Codeable expertise

In your efforts to enhance your WordPress site’s FCP, the expertise and experience provided by Codeable developers stand as invaluable assets. Codeable specializes in connecting you with top-tier WordPress experts who tailor solutions to elevate your website’s performance through FCP optimization.

Codeable’s team of rigorously vetted WordPress professionals is equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to tackle the complexities of FCP. So, whether it’s optimizing server response times, managing render-blocking resources, or deploying Content Delivery Networks, Codeable’s experts have the proficiency to enhance every aspect of FCP.

Submit your project to Codeable today and experience the difference expert intervention can make in optimizing your website’s performance – enhanced user engagement, improved SEO rankings, and more!