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Optimize website and web application performance including loading speed, Core Web Vitals, bundle size, caching strategies, and runtime performance
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Web Performance Optimization
Overview
Help developers optimize website and web application performance to improve user experience, SEO rankings, and conversion rates. This skill provides systematic approaches to measure, analyze, and improve loading speed, runtime performance, and Core Web Vitals metrics.
When to Use This Skill
Use when website or app is loading slowly
Use when optimizing for Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS)
Use when reducing JavaScript bundle size
Use when improving Time to Interactive (TTI)
Use when optimizing images and assets
Use when implementing caching strategies
Use when debugging performance bottlenecks
Use when preparing for performance audits
How It Works
Step 1: Measure Current Performance
I'll help you establish baseline metrics:
Run Lighthouse audits
Measure Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS)
Check bundle sizes
Analyze network waterfall
Identify performance bottlenecks
Step 2: Identify Issues
Analyze performance problems:
Large JavaScript bundles
Unoptimized images
Render-blocking resources
Slow server response times
Missing caching headers
Layout shifts
Long tasks blocking main thread
Step 3: Prioritize Optimizations
Focus on high-impact improvements:
Critical rendering path optimization
Code splitting and lazy loading
Image optimization
Caching strategies
Third-party script optimization
Step 4: Implement Optimizations Apply performance improvements:
Optimize assets (images, fonts, CSS, JS)
Implement code splitting
Add caching headers
Lazy load non-critical resources
Optimize critical rendering path
Step 5: Verify Improvements Measure impact of changes:
Re-run Lighthouse audits
Compare before/after metrics
Monitor real user metrics (RUM)
Test on different devices and networks
Examples
Example 1: Optimizing Core Web Vitals ## Performance Audit Results
### Current Metrics (Before Optimization)
- **LCP (Largest Contentful Paint):** 4.2s β (should be < 2.5s)
- **FID (First Input Delay):** 180ms β (should be < 100ms)
- **CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift):** 0.25 β (should be < 0.1)
- **Lighthouse Score:** 62/100
### Issues Identified
1. **LCP Issue:** Hero image (2.5MB) loads slowly
2. **FID Issue:** Large JavaScript bundle (850KB) blocks main thread
3. **CLS Issue:** Images without dimensions cause layout shifts
### Optimization Plan
#### Fix LCP (Largest Contentful Paint)
**Problem:** Hero image is 2.5MB and loads slowly
**Solutions:**
\`\`\`html
<!-- Before: Unoptimized image -->
<img src="/hero.jpg" alt="Hero">
<!-- After: Optimized with modern formats -->
<picture>
<source srcset="/hero.avif" type="image/avif">
<source srcset="/hero.webp" type="image/webp">
<img
src="/hero.jpg"
alt="Hero"
width="1200"
height="600"
loading="eager"
fetchpriority="high"
>
</picture>
\`\`\`
**Additional optimizations:**
- Compress image to < 200KB
- Use CDN for faster delivery
- Preload hero image: `<link rel="preload" as="image" href="/hero.avif">`
#### Fix FID (First Input Delay)
**Problem:** 850KB JavaScript bundle blocks main thread
**Solutions:**
1. **Code Splitting:**
\`\`\`javascript
// Before: Everything in one bundle
import { HeavyComponent } from './HeavyComponent';
import { Analytics } from './analytics';
import { ChatWidget } from './chat';
// After: Lazy load non-critical code
const HeavyComponent = lazy(() => import('./HeavyComponent'));
const ChatWidget = lazy(() => import('./chat'));
// Load analytics after page interactive
if (typeof window !== 'undefined') {
window.addEventListener('load', () => {
import('./analytics').then(({ Analytics }) => {
Analytics.init();
});
});
}
\`\`\`
2. **Remove Unused Dependencies:**
\`\`\`bash
# Analyze bundle
npx webpack-bundle-analyzer
# Remove unused packages
npm uninstall moment # Use date-fns instead (smaller)
npm install date-fns
\`\`\`
3. **Defer Non-Critical Scripts:**
\`\`\`html
<!-- Before: Blocks rendering -->
<script src="/analytics.js"></script>
<!-- After: Deferred -->
<script src="/analytics.js" defer></script>
\`\`\`
#### Fix CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift)
**Problem:** Images without dimensions cause layout shifts
**Solutions:**
\`\`\`html
<!-- Before: No dimensions -->
<img src="/product.jpg" alt="Product">
<!-- After: With dimensions -->
<img
src="/product.jpg"
alt="Product"
width="400"
height="300"
style="aspect-ratio: 4/3;"
>
\`\`\`
**For dynamic content:**
\`\`\`css
/* Reserve space for content that loads later */
.skeleton-loader {
min-height: 200px;
background: linear-gradient(90deg, #f0f0f0 25%, #e0e0e0 50%, #f0f0f0 75%);
background-size: 200% 100%;
animation: loading 1.5s infinite;
}
@keyframes loading {
0% { background-position: 200% 0; }
100% { background-position: -200% 0; }
}
\`\`\`
### Results After Optimization
- **LCP:** 1.8s β
(improved by 57%)
- **FID:** 45ms β
(improved by 75%)
- **CLS:** 0.05 β
(improved by 80%)
- **Lighthouse Score:** 94/100 β
Example 2: Reducing JavaScript Bundle Size ## Bundle Size Optimization
### Current State
- **Total Bundle:** 850KB (gzipped: 280KB)
- **Main Bundle:** 650KB
- **Vendor Bundle:** 200KB
- **Load Time (3G):** 8.2s
### Analysis
\`\`\`bash
# Analyze bundle composition
npx webpack-bundle-analyzer dist/stats.json
\`\`\`
**Findings:**
1. Moment.js: 67KB (can replace with date-fns: 12KB)
2. Lodash: 72KB (using entire library, only need 5 functions)
3. Unused code: ~150KB of dead code
4. No code splitting: Everything in one bundle
### Optimization Steps
#### 1. Replace Heavy Dependencies
\`\`\`bash
# Remove moment.js (67KB) β Use date-fns (12KB)
npm uninstall moment
npm install date-fns
# Before
import moment from 'moment';
const formatted = moment(date).format('YYYY-MM-DD');
# After
import { format } from 'date-fns';
const formatted = format(date, 'yyyy-MM-dd');
\`\`\`
**Savings:** 55KB
#### 2. Use Lodash Selectively
\`\`\`javascript
// Before: Import entire library (72KB)
import _ from 'lodash';
const unique = _.uniq(array);
// After: Import only what you need (5KB)
import uniq from 'lodash/uniq';
const unique = uniq(array);
// Or use native methods
const unique = [...new Set(array)];
\`\`\`
**Savings:** 67KB
#### 3. Implement Code Splitting
\`\`\`javascript
// Next.js example
import dynamic from 'next/dynamic';
// Lazy load heavy components
const Chart = dynamic(() => import('./Chart'), {
loading: () => <div>Loading chart...</div>,
ssr: false
});
const AdminPanel = dynamic(() => import('./AdminPanel'), {
loading: () => <div>Loading...</div>
});
// Route-based code splitting (automatic in Next.js)
// pages/admin.js - Only loaded when visiting /admin
// pages/dashboard.js - Only loaded when visiting /dashboard
\`\`\`
#### 4. Remove Dead Code
\`\`\`javascript
// Enable tree shaking in webpack.config.js
module.exports = {
mode: 'production',
optimization: {
usedExports: true,
sideEffects: false
}
};
// In package.json
{
"sideEffects": false
}
\`\`\`
#### 5. Optimize Third-Party Scripts
\`\`\`html
<!-- Before: Loads immediately -->
<script src="https://analytics.com/script.js"></script>
<!-- After: Load after page interactive -->
<script>
window.addEventListener('load', () => {
const script = document.createElement('script');
script.src = 'https://analytics.com/script.js';
script.async = true;
document.body.appendChild(script);
});
</script>
\`\`\`
### Results
- **Total Bundle:** 380KB β
(reduced by 55%)
- **Main Bundle:** 180KB β
- **Vendor Bundle:** 80KB β
- **Load Time (3G):** 3.1s β
(improved by 62%)
Example 3: Image Optimization Strategy ## Image Optimization
### Current Issues
- 15 images totaling 12MB
- No modern formats (WebP, AVIF)
- No responsive images
- No lazy loading
### Optimization Strategy
#### 1. Convert to Modern Formats
\`\`\`bash
# Install image optimization tools
npm install sharp
# Conversion script (optimize-images.js)
const sharp = require('sharp');
const fs = require('fs');
const path = require('path');
async function optimizeImage(inputPath, outputDir) {
const filename = path.basename(inputPath, path.extname(inputPath));
// Generate WebP
await sharp(inputPath)
.webp({ quality: 80 })
.toFile(path.join(outputDir, \`\${filename}.webp\`));
// Generate AVIF (best compression)
await sharp(inputPath)
.avif({ quality: 70 })
.toFile(path.join(outputDir, \`\${filename}.avif\`));
// Generate optimized JPEG fallback
await sharp(inputPath)
.jpeg({ quality: 80, progressive: true })
.toFile(path.join(outputDir, \`\${filename}.jpg\`));
}
// Process all images
const images = fs.readdirSync('./images');
images.forEach(img => {
optimizeImage(\`./images/\${img}\`, './images/optimized');
});
\`\`\`
#### 2. Implement Responsive Images
\`\`\`html
<!-- Responsive images with modern formats -->
<picture>
<!-- AVIF for browsers that support it (best compression) -->
<source
srcset="
/images/hero-400.avif 400w,
/images/hero-800.avif 800w,
/images/hero-1200.avif 1200w
"
type="image/avif"
sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw"
>
<!-- WebP for browsers that support it -->
<source
srcset="
/images/hero-400.webp 400w,
/images/hero-800.webp 800w,
/images/hero-1200.webp 1200w
"
type="image/webp"
sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw"
>
<!-- JPEG fallback -->
<img
src="/images/hero-800.jpg"
srcset="
/images/hero-400.jpg 400w,
/images/hero-800.jpg 800w,
/images/hero-1200.jpg 1200w
"
sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw"
alt="Hero image"
width="1200"
height="600"
loading="lazy"
>
</picture>
\`\`\`
#### 3. Lazy Loading
\`\`\`html
<!-- Native lazy loading -->
<img
src="/image.jpg"
alt="Description"
loading="lazy"
width="800"
height="600"
>
<!-- Eager loading for above-the-fold images -->
<img
src="/hero.jpg"
alt="Hero"
loading="eager"
fetchpriority="high"
>
\`\`\`
#### 4. Next.js Image Component
\`\`\`javascript
import Image from 'next/image';
// Automatic optimization
<Image
src="/hero.jpg"
alt="Hero"
width={1200}
height={600}
priority // For above-the-fold images
quality={80}
/>
// Lazy loaded
<Image
src="/product.jpg"
alt="Product"
width={400}
height={300}
loading="lazy"
/>
\`\`\`
### Results
| Metric | Before | After | Improvement |
|--------|--------|-------|-------------|
| Total Image Size | 12MB | 1.8MB | 85% reduction |
| LCP | 4.5s | 1.6s | 64% faster |
| Page Load (3G) | 18s | 4.2s | 77% faster |
Best Practices
β
Do This
Measure First - Always establish baseline metrics before optimizing
Use Lighthouse - Run audits regularly to track progress
Optimize Images - Use modern formats (WebP, AVIF) and responsive images
Code Split - Break large bundles into smaller chunks
Lazy Load - Defer non-critical resources
Cache Aggressively - Set proper cache headers for static assets
Minimize Main Thread Work - Keep JavaScript execution under 50ms chunks
Preload Critical Resources - Use <link rel="preload"> for critical assets
Use CDN - Serve static assets from CDN for faster delivery
Monitor Real Users - Track Core Web Vitals from real users
β Don't Do This
Don't Optimize Blindly - Measure first, then optimize
Don't Ignore Mobile - Test on real mobile devices and slow networks
Don't Block Rendering - Avoid render-blocking CSS and JavaScript
Don't Load Everything Upfront - Lazy load non-critical resources
Don't Forget Dimensions - Always specify image width/height
Don't Use Synchronous Scripts - Use async or defer attributes
Don't Ignore Third-Party Scripts - They often cause performance issues
Don't Skip Compression - Always compress and minify assets
Common Pitfalls
Problem: Optimized for Desktop but Slow on Mobile Symptoms: Good Lighthouse score on desktop, poor on mobile
Solution:
Test on real mobile devices
Use Chrome DevTools mobile throttling
Optimize for 3G/4G networks
Reduce JavaScript execution time
# Test with throttling
lighthouse https://yoursite.com --throttling.cpuSlowdownMultiplier=4
Problem: Large JavaScript Bundle Symptoms: Long Time to Interactive (TTI), high FID
Solution:
Analyze bundle with webpack-bundle-analyzer
Remove unused dependencies
Implement code splitting
Lazy load non-critical code
# Analyze bundle
npx webpack-bundle-analyzer dist/stats.json
Problem: Images Causing Layout Shifts Symptoms: High CLS score, content jumping
Solution:
Always specify width and height
Use aspect-ratio CSS property
Reserve space with skeleton loaders
img {
aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
width: 100%;
height: auto;
}
Problem: Slow Server Response Time Symptoms: High TTFB (Time to First Byte)
Solution:
Implement server-side caching
Use CDN for static assets
Optimize database queries
Consider static site generation (SSG)
// Next.js: Static generation
export async function getStaticProps() {
const data = await fetchData();
return {
props: { data },
revalidate: 60 // Regenerate every 60 seconds
};
}
Performance Checklist
Images
JavaScript
CSS
Caching
Core Web Vitals
Performance Tools
Measurement Tools
Lighthouse - Comprehensive performance audit
WebPageTest - Detailed waterfall analysis
Chrome DevTools - Performance profiling
PageSpeed Insights - Real user metrics
Web Vitals Extension - Monitor Core Web Vitals
Analysis Tools
webpack-bundle-analyzer - Visualize bundle composition
source-map-explorer - Analyze bundle size
Bundlephobia - Check package sizes before installing
ImageOptim - Image compression tool
Monitoring Tools
Google Analytics - Track Core Web Vitals
Sentry - Performance monitoring
New Relic - Application performance monitoring
Datadog - Real user monitoring
Related Skills
@react-best-practices - React performance patterns
@frontend-dev-guidelines - Frontend development standards
@systematic-debugging - Debug performance issues
@senior-architect - Architecture for performance
Additional Resources
Pro Tip: Focus on Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS) first - they have the biggest impact on user experience and SEO rankings!