If you have a website, you may have heard of the term “CLS issue” or “Cumulative Layout Shift”. This is a common issue that can affect the layout and user experience of your website. In this article, we will discuss what CLS issue is, why it is important to fix it, and how you can fix it in your WordPress website.
What is CLS Issue?
CLS issue is a metric used to measure the visual stability of a website. It is a part of Google’s Core Web Vitals, which are a set of metrics that measure the overall user experience of a website. CLS issue specifically measures the amount of unexpected layout shifts that occur during the loading of a webpage.
Unexpected layout shifts can happen when elements on a webpage, such as images or text, load at different times or in different positions. This can cause the layout of the webpage to shift, which can be frustrating for users and affect the overall user experience.
Why is it Important to Fix CLS Issue?
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Fixing CLS issue is important for several reasons. First, it can greatly improve the user experience of your website. When elements on a webpage load smoothly and without unexpected shifts, users are more likely to stay on your website and engage with your content.
Second, CLS issue is a part of Google’s Core Web Vitals, which are becoming increasingly important for search engine rankings. Websites with a good user experience, as measured by Core Web Vitals, are more likely to rank higher in search engine results.
Finally, fixing CLS issue can also improve your website’s conversion rates. When users have a positive experience on your website, they are more likely to take action, such as making a purchase or filling out a contact form.
How to Fix CLS Issue in WordPress
Now that we understand what CLS issue is and why it is important to fix it, let’s discuss how you can fix it in your WordPress website.
1. Optimize Images
One of the main causes of CLS issue is images that are not properly optimized. When images are not optimized, they can take longer to load and cause unexpected shifts in the layout of your website.
To optimize images in WordPress, you can use a plugin such as Smush or EWWW Image Optimizer. These plugins will compress your images without sacrificing quality, making them smaller and faster to load.
2. Use Lazy Loading
Lazy loading is a technique that delays the loading of images and videos until they are needed. This can greatly improve the loading speed of your website and reduce the chances of unexpected layout shifts.
There are several plugins available for lazy loading in WordPress, such as Lazy Load by WP Rocket or A3 Lazy Load. These plugins will automatically enable lazy loading for your images and videos.
3. Minimize CSS and JavaScript
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Another common cause of CLS issue is large CSS and JavaScript files. These files can take longer to load and cause unexpected shifts in the layout of your website.
To minimize CSS and JavaScript in WordPress, you can use a plugin such as Autoptimize or WP Super Minify. These plugins will combine and compress your CSS and JavaScript files, making them smaller and faster to load.
4. Use a Preloader
A preloader is a graphic or animation that is displayed while a webpage is loading. This can help to reduce the perceived loading time of your website and prevent unexpected layout shifts.
There are several preloader plugins available for WordPress, such as WP Smart Preloader or Preloader Plus. These plugins will allow you to customize the preloader for your website and improve the overall user experience.
5. Optimize Fonts
Fonts can also contribute to CLS issue if they are not properly optimized. To optimize fonts in WordPress, you can use a plugin such as OMGF or WP Google Fonts. These plugins will help to reduce the loading time of fonts on your website and prevent unexpected shifts in the layout.
6. Use a Caching Plugin
Caching plugins can greatly improve the loading speed of your website by storing a static version of your website’s pages. This can help to reduce the chances of unexpected layout shifts and improve the overall user experience.
Some popular caching plugins for WordPress include W3 Total Cache, WP Super Cache, and WP Rocket. These plugins will help to improve the performance of your website and reduce the chances of CLS issue.
7. Test Your Website
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After implementing these fixes, it is important to test your website to ensure that the CLS issue has been resolved. You can use Google’s PageSpeed Insights or WebPageTest to test your website and see if there are any remaining CLS issues.
If you are still experiencing CLS issue, you may need to consult with a web developer or consider using a different theme or plugins for your website.
Conclusion
CLS issue is a common issue that can affect the user experience and search engine rankings of your website. By optimizing images, using lazy loading, minimizing CSS and JavaScript, using a preloader, optimizing fonts, and using a caching plugin, you can greatly reduce the chances of CLS issue in your WordPress website.
Remember to regularly test your website and make any necessary updates to ensure that your website is providing a positive user experience. By fixing CLS issue, you can improve the overall performance and success of your website.
