I recently analyzed the top competitors in my niche on Google and found that 5 out of the top 10 had a LCP time of above 5 seconds, with 4 others falling between 3.5 and 5 seconds. Only one competitor had a LCP time below 3 seconds at 2.8 seconds. Do you think this has any significance in terms of opinions and experiences?
It’s important to consider the context surrounding LCP times and their correlation with user experience. While a lower LCP generally indicates a faster loading page and a better user experience, the absolute value doesn’t tell the whole story. In this case, with 9 out of 10 competitors having an LCP above 3 seconds, it suggests that the industry standard in your niche might be leaning towards slower loading times.
The user experience can be influenced by other factors such as page complexity, content type, and user expectations. For example, if users are accustomed to browsing websites with rich content and complex layouts, they might be less sensitive to a slightly longer loading time. Conversely, if the content is simple and the website design is minimalistic, a longer LCP might be more noticeable and negatively impact user experience.
Therefore, while aiming for a low LCP is generally recommended, it’s important to analyze your specific niche and target audience to understand their expectations and tolerance for loading times. Focus on optimizing the core web vitals for your website, including LCP, but also consider other factors that can impact user experience, such as page speed, interactivity, and visual stability.