Improving your site speed is a win-win. A faster site is better for both your users and for search engines.

Two easy ways to check (and improve!) your website speed.

Check Your Site Speed

Google Page Speed Score : Enter in your website URL (main domain or any page on your website) to receive a Page Speed Score from Google. You will receive a score out of 100 possible points based on the opportunities your website has on speed improvements.

What does this mean?

This means that if your score is higher than our score, it does not mean your website is faster. Your website is only competing against itself. A neat thing about this tool is that it lists suggestions to improve your page speed. Focus on the highest priorities first, than work your way down the list until your comfortable with your score. [Note: I feel as it is unrealistic to receive a perfect score. Can it be done? Probably. Should you spend all your efforts on this? Probably not.]

Google Analytics : Log into Google Analytics, visit the Content tab > Site Speed > Page Timings

In this report, you will see a breakdown of page speeds, in order of the most page views. You can dig deeper into this high-level data and add a secondary dimension of domain, browser, operating system and more. Find slow pages and enter them into the Google Page Speed Score (above) for opportunities to improve the page speed. While you’re at it, save this report as a shortcut so you can check back after you make improvements.

What’s your site speed score? How do you monitor your site speed?

About the Author: Courtney Petty

Courtney is the Web Marketing Specialist for DKS Systems. She specializes in all things related to online marketing such as Search Engine Optimization (SEO), social media, paid advertising and more. Outside hobbies include cooking, crafts and surfing the internet. Circle Courtney on Google+!