Milliseconds Makes Millions: Slow Page Speed is Burning Your Ad Budget
Feb 20, 2025
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Discover the crucial role of page speed optimization in boosting e-commerce success. Learn how bloated app stacks can stifle conversion rates and why many quick-fix solutions are scams. Explore the profound impact of site speed on ad spend and SEO. Gain insights into the best tools and technologies for enhancing Shopify store performance, including essential free resources for testing speed. Hear a compelling case study that reveals a 17% increase in sales after optimization. Elevate your website's user experience to drive higher average order values!
Page speed optimization significantly boosts return on ad spend and conversion rates, yet it remains largely overlooked by e-commerce businesses.
Eliminating unnecessary applications and updating outdated themes can drastically enhance site speed, improving overall user experience and sales potential.
Deep dives
The Importance of Page Speed Optimization
Improving page speed is crucial for increasing return on ad spend, yet it's often neglected in online sales strategies. Optimization enhances both SEO and paid ads, providing significant efficiency gains. The podcast highlights that many tools claim to automate this process, but they often merely manipulate page speed metrics rather than making real changes. This misrepresentation can lead to a false sense of success while actual load times remain unchanged, especially on slower connections.
Common Pitfalls in Page Speed Optimization
The podcast addresses prevalent issues within e-commerce sites, focusing on bloated app stacks as a primary culprit for slow page speeds. It was noted that as companies grow, the addition of multiple applications without oversight can drastically hinder site performance. An app audit revealed that many businesses pay for apps they don't use, and simply removing unnecessary applications can significantly improve load times. This emphasizes the need for ongoing management of digital assets to maintain optimal site performance.
Technical Debt and Its Impact
The challenges of technical debt in website development are discussed, with emphasis on outdated themes hindering site speed. Many businesses retain older versions of Shopify themes, which accumulate inefficiencies that negatively affect performance. By transitioning to newer, optimized themes, businesses can achieve better speed and user experience without altering the site's visual elements. The considerable resource investment in optimizing older sites highlights the extensive nature of this work, further underscoring the importance of employing specialists in site speed.
The Broader Implications of Page Speed
Faster load times directly contribute to improved user experience, influencing conversion rates and average order values. Research indicates that even slight enhancements in site speed can lead to measurable increases in customer engagement and transactions. Brands that invest in optimizing page speed can maintain effectiveness even under poor connection conditions, vital for reaching a broader audience. This optimization aligns with efficient digital marketing strategies and showcases a holistic approach to online success, emphasizing user experience as a key driver for revenue.
In this episode, I chat with Lukas from The Nice Agency, a Shopify site speed optimization expert. They discuss why page speed optimization is one of the most overlooked yet impactful factors in improving return on ad spend (ROAS) and conversion rates for e-commerce businesses. Lukas shares insights from his agency’s experience, debunks common myths about automated page speed tools, and reveals the best technology stack for high-performance Shopify stores.
Key Topics Covered:
Why page speed optimization is a game changer for your e-commerce business.
How bloated app stacks slow down your site and kill conversion rates.
The biggest scams in the Shopify site speed industry and how to avoid them.
The impact of page speed on SEO, paid ads, and overall user experience.
A breakdown of the best tools and apps to use for a high-speed e-commerce store.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Page Speed Optimization & Guest Introduction
03:45 - How Lukas Got Into Site Speed Optimization
08:30 - Common Mistakes That Slow Down Shopify Stores
13:20 - The Scam Behind "Instant" Speed Optimization Services
19:45 - The True Impact of Site Speed on Conversion Rates & ROAS
25:10 - Case Study: How Speed Optimization Increased Sales by 17%
30:00 - The Best Page Speed Optimization Tech Stack
35:50 - Free Tools to Test Your Website’s Speed
41:00 - The Best Shopify Themes for High Performance
45:30 - How to Get a Free Site Speed Audit from The Nice Agency
50:00 - Where to Find Lukas & Final Thoughts
Show Notes & Resources:
Milliseconds Make Millions (Google & Deloitte Report on Page Speed) - Read Here
WebPageTest.org - The Gold Standard for Site Speed Testing - Visit Site
Dawn Theme - Shopify’s Recommended Lightweight Ecommerce Theme - Explore Here
#1 Heatmap Analytics Tool for Tracking Revenue on E-commerce Websites - Check it Out
RapidReviews - The Fastest Shopify Review App - Learn More