Introduction:
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, website performance is more critical than ever before. Google’s Core Web Vitals (CWV) have become a standard benchmark for measuring a website’s user experience. As of September 2023, the CWV rankings for popular content management systems (CMS) have seen some unexpected shifts. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the CWV scores of WordPress, Wix, Duda, Shopify, and more to discover which CMS unexpectedly took the top spot.
Core Web Vitals: A Quick Recap
Before we dive into the rankings, let’s briefly recap what Core Web Vitals are:
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures loading performance and represents the time it takes for the most significant element in the viewport to become visible.
First Input Delay (FID): Evaluates interactivity and gauges the time it takes for a webpage to respond to a user’s first interaction.
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Assesses visual stability and quantifies unexpected layout shifts during page loading.
Now, let’s examine how each of these popular CMS platforms performed in these key CWV metrics.
1. WordPress: The King of Flexibility
WordPress has long been the go-to CMS for its flexibility, scalability, and a vast array of plugins and themes. However, its CWV performance has faced scrutiny in the past. In September 2023, WordPress improved its CWV scores considerably, with significant efforts from developers and plugin creators to optimize site performance. WordPress now ranks high in LCP and FID but still struggles with CLS in some cases.
2. Wix: The All-in-One Solution
Wix, known for its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop capabilities, has been a strong contender in the CMS market. In the CWV rankings, Wix excels in LCP, offering fast loading times, but faces challenges in FID and CLS due to its feature-rich templates. Still, it remains a reliable choice for users seeking an all-in-one solution.
3. Duda: Focused on Mobile-First
Duda has gained popularity for its mobile-first approach to web design. Its CWV performance is impressive, particularly in CLS, thanks to its responsive templates and clean code. Duda’s dedication to mobile optimization has helped it secure a spot among the top contenders.
4. Shopify: E-commerce Powerhouse
Shopify, primarily known for its e-commerce capabilities, has made strides in improving CWV scores for online stores. It performs well in LCP, ensuring speedy product page loading times. FID and CLS might vary depending on the chosen theme and plugins, but with careful optimization, Shopify can deliver a seamless shopping experience.
5. Unexpected Contender: Joomla!
Surprisingly, Joomla! has emerged as an unexpected champion in the September 2023 CWV rankings. Known for its robustness and extensibility, Joomla! has significantly improved its CWV scores across all metrics. Its community-driven efforts and commitment to performance optimization have paid off, making it a CMS to watch in the coming months.
Conclusion:
As of September 2023, website owners and developers are presented with a more competitive landscape when it comes to CMS choices. WordPress, Wix, Duda, and Shopify continue to be strong contenders, each excelling in various aspects of web performance. However, the unexpected rise of Joomla! serves as a reminder that the CMS market is dynamic, and with the proper focus on user experience and performance optimization, any platform can become a Core Web Vitals champion.
It’s essential to choose a CMS that aligns with your specific website needs and goals, while also considering ongoing optimization efforts to ensure your site meets or exceeds the CWV benchmarks set by Google. Remember, the web is constantly evolving, and staying at the forefront of performance is key to success in the digital world.
