If you have a website, you’ve likely heard of the term “cumulative layout shift” or CLS. It refers to the unexpected shifting of elements on a webpage as it loads, causing a poor user experience. This can be frustrating for visitors and can negatively impact your website’s search engine ranking.
In this article, we’ll discuss what cumulative layout shift is, why it’s important to fix it, and How to fix it on your WordPress website.
What is Cumulative Layout Shift?
Cumulative layout shift is a metric that measures the visual stability of a webpage as it loads. It occurs when elements on a webpage, such as images, videos, or text, move unexpectedly as the page loads. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as images without dimensions, ads loading after the content, or dynamic content being added to the page.
CLS is measured on a scale of 0 to 1, with a lower score indicating a more stable webpage. A score of 0.1 or lower is considered good, while a score of 0.25 or higher is considered poor.
Why is it Important to Fix Cumulative Layout Shift?
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Cumulative layout shift can have a negative impact on user experience and can lead to a high bounce rate. If visitors are constantly having to readjust their position on the page due to shifting elements, they may become frustrated and leave your website.
Moreover, Google has announced that CLS will be a ranking factor in their upcoming algorithm update. This means that websites with a high CLS score may see a drop in their search engine ranking, resulting in less traffic and potential customers.
How to Fix Cumulative Layout Shift on WordPress
Now that we understand the importance of fixing cumulative layout shift, let’s discuss how to fix it on your WordPress website.
1. Use Dimensions for Images and Videos
One of the main causes of CLS is images and videos without specified dimensions. When these elements load, they can push other content down the page, causing a shift in the layout.
To fix this, make sure to specify the dimensions of all images and videos on your website. This can be done by adding width and height attributes to the HTML code or by using a plugin like WP Image Size Limit.
2. Load Ads Responsibly
Ads are another common cause of CLS. If ads are not loaded properly, they can push other content down the page, causing a shift in the layout.
To avoid this, make sure to load ads responsibly. This means using asynchronous ad code, which allows the content to load before the ads, and using a plugin like Ad Inserter to manage the placement of ads on your website.
3. Use a Preloader
A preloader is a visual indicator that lets visitors know that the page is still loading. This can help prevent CLS by keeping visitors from interacting with the page before it has fully loaded.
There are many preloader plugins available for WordPress, such as WP Smart Preloader and Preloader Plus. These plugins allow you to customize the preloader to match your website’s design and can significantly improve the user experience.
4. Minimize the Use of Third-Party Scripts
Third-party scripts, such as social media widgets or chatbots, can also contribute to CLS. These scripts often load after the content, causing a shift in the layout.
To minimize the impact of third-party scripts, only use them if they are essential to your website’s functionality. Additionally, try to load them asynchronously or defer their loading until after the content has loaded.
5. Optimize Fonts and CSS
Fonts and CSS can also cause CLS if they are not optimized. This can happen if the font is not preloaded or if the CSS is not minified.
To optimize fonts, use a font preloading plugin like Preload Fonts. This will ensure that the font is loaded before the content, preventing any shifts in the layout.
To optimize CSS, use a plugin like Autoptimize to minify and combine your CSS files. This will reduce the number of requests made to the server, resulting in a faster loading time and a more stable layout.
6. Use a Caching Plugin
Caching plugins can significantly improve the performance of your website and reduce CLS. They work by storing a static version of your website, which can be served to visitors instead of generating the page every time it is requested.
There are many caching plugins available for WordPress, such as W3 Total Cache and WP Super Cache. These plugins can help reduce CLS by improving the loading time of your website.
7. Test and Monitor Your Website
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Once you have implemented the above fixes, it’s important to test and monitor your website to ensure that CLS has been reduced. There are several tools available for this, such as Google’s PageSpeed Insights and WebPageTest.
These tools will provide you with a CLS score and recommendations for further improvements. It’s important to regularly test and monitor your website to ensure that CLS is kept to a minimum.
Conclusion
Cumulative layout shift can negatively impact user experience and search engine ranking. By following the above steps, you can significantly reduce CLS on your WordPress website and improve the overall performance and stability of your website.
Remember to regularly test and monitor your website to ensure that CLS is kept to a minimum. By providing a stable and user-friendly experience, you can keep visitors on your website and improve your chances of converting them into customers.
