Are You Ready to Welcome ‘Google Page Experience’ Algorithm Update?

On May 28, 2020, Google announced a new ranking algorithm to be roll – out to award the website quality on the basis of users’ experience they get with web pages. If the web pages are judged not the quality adhered to deliver the expected information and usage experience, Google will pull down the existing rank of the website. The new algorithm update is ‘Google Page Experience’ that is expected to be roll- out in 2021; so, you have time for website audit and to fine-tune it. Early birds will surely get the advantage of better ranking.

What is ‘Google Page Experience’ Algorithm Update

‘Google Page Experience’ ranking algorithm will check all the web pages of your business website. Even if just a few pages of your website don’t deliver a satisfying experience to web users but other web pages are good to engage the users, your website ranking may suffer drastically. Post-release of Google Page Experience, the web page usage ease, and relevancy will help the business websites perform better. After the announcement of ‘Google Page Experience’, optimization for the best web surfing and user experience has become a necessity to sustain and improve the visibility in search results. Roll out of ‘Google Page Experience’ will induce a big shift in search engine optimization (SEO) practices; the focus on brand promotion for users’ interest will be a key aspect of SEO  in 2021.

What You Need To Do To Welcome ‘Google Page Experience’ Update

1. Optimize Web Page Speed: Google itself has confirmed page loading as a ranking signal. The slow page speed impacts the rank. Google’s PageSpeed Insights is a free tool to check the page speed or page loading speed. What is the ideal page speed score? 90 – 92 is considered an ideal page speed score. According the Google, the best page load time is three seconds. According to Google’s benchmark report findings, 70% of mobile web pages take more than five seconds to display visual content above the fold, and these take more than seven seconds to display requirements visual content completely above and below the page. How can I increase page speed?’ is a common question. Following ten tips to increase web page speed will support your website perform better:
   1. Minimize CSS and HTTP requests
   2. Minimize TTFB (Time to first byte)
   3. Reduce JavaScript and redirects
   4. Remove render-blocking JavaScript
   5. Improve browser caching and server responding time
   6. Use CDN
   7. Run a compression audit
   8. Choose the best hosting option
   9. Optimize the web pages for CSS delivery
   10. Prioritize above-the-fold content
2. Reduce 400 Error: It is the HTTP status code to mention that the server couldn’t understand the request because of invalid syntax. How can I fix the 400- code error? Following five tips to reduce 400 errors will improve users’ experience of your website:
   1. Refresh the web pages
   2. Cross-check the URLs
   3. Clear DNS
   4. Check the file size
   5. Clear browser’s cookies
3. Review Your Website Design: OK, you have the best website design. Still review your website for the designing gaps. On the basis of my experience, I am listing below ten website design elements that a ‘Google Page Experience’ update safe website must have:
   1. Semi-flat design
   2. Large product images
   3. Large and unique typography
   4. Background videos
   5. Responsive & large hero images
   6. Short product / feature videos
   7. Branding
   8. Hamburger menu
   9. Card design
   10. Social media buttons and CTA
4. Compare Your Website UX against That of Competitors’ Website: You need to address the concerns of visitors in the best way as Google recommends. If your website doesn’t deserve at this comparing parameter, it can’t rank good despite intensive off-page SEO.  How can I improve the UX on my website? Audit your website for the following top eleven UX design elements:
   1. Responsiveness
   2. Accessibility
   3. Flow
   4. Scrolling and navigation
   5. Contrast and colors
   6. UX writing
   7. Links
   8. Buttons
   9. NAP
   10. Search field
   11. Accordions
5. Use Quality Images: An image communicates instantly because brain interprets it quicker than the text. Instead of using the images from the stock, use your own original images with short description. How can I improve my website UX with optimized images? Following five tips to optimize images in web design will improve UX:
   1. Add structured data
   2. Use semantic markup
   3. Use descriptive alt-text
   4. Optimize for fast speed
   5. Optimize images for SafeSearch

Roadmap to Deliver the Best Google Page Experience

1. Focus on usability and utility
2. Focus on hierarchy
3. Focus on feature exposure
4. Focus on how the users think
5. Focus on simplicity to use by minimizing the barriers
6. Focus on communication
7. Focus on periodic testing

Concluding Note
The expected roll-out ‘Google Page Experience’ update makes the UX more important than before. If a website serves the purpose of visitors delivering a nice usage experience, it is sure to rake high. The unique thing about this update is that Google informed much in advance. Will you wait until the last moment? You never know when ‘Google Page Experience’ update will come out to impact your website ranking; better, you optimize your website today for the ultimate UX.

Source: https://www.samyakonline.net/blog/google-page-experience-algorithm-update/