This is another common question we hear from Kiwi business owners at Redemption Digital. If your website loads slowly, does that actually impact where you appear on Google?
The short answer is yes.
Website speed is a confirmed Google ranking factor and plays an important role in modern search engine optimisation. Businesses investing in professional SEO services should treat website performance as a priority.
Why Website Speed Matters for Google Rankings
Google wants to deliver the best possible experience to its users. If your website is slow to load, visitors are more likely to leave before engaging with your content. This sends negative signals to Google.
A slow website can lead to:
- Higher bounce rates
- Lower time spent on site
- Fewer enquiries or conversions
All of these factors can limit the effectiveness of your SEO strategy and reduce the return on your digital marketing investment.
How Website Speed Impacts User Experience
Fast-loading websites feel more professional and trustworthy. When pages load quickly, users are more likely to explore your services, read your content, and contact your business.
At Redemption Digital, we regularly see improved engagement after implementing website speed optimisation as part of a broader SEO campaign.
Mobile Speed Is Even More Important
Most searches in New Zealand now happen on mobile devices. Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it primarily evaluates the mobile version of your website when ranking your site.
If your site performs poorly on mobile devices, it can negatively affect your visibility in local search results. This is especially important for businesses focused on local SEO in New Zealand.
Core Web Vitals and SEO Performance
Google uses Core Web Vitals to measure real-world user experience. These metrics assess page load speed, visual stability, and responsiveness.
Improving Core Web Vitals is a key part of technical SEO and is something we actively address for clients who want long-term ranking improvements.
How Redemption Digital Helps Improve Website Speed
Website speed improvements often involve:
- Image and media optimisation
- Code and script clean-up
- Hosting and server performance improvements
- Reducing unnecessary plugins
- Technical SEO fixes
These optimisations support both website performance and search visibility when implemented as part of a structured SEO strategy.
Why This Matters for Kiwi Businesses
In competitive New Zealand markets, small technical improvements can create a real advantage. A faster website helps you rank better, convert more visitors, and build trust with potential customers before they contact a competitor.
Website speed alone will not guarantee top rankings, but when combined with strong content, backlinks, and on-page optimisation, it becomes a powerful ranking support factor.
If you want your website to rank higher and perform better for customers across Aotearoa, improving website speed should be a core part of your SEO approach.
Keen to chat? Check out Redemption Digital’s search engine optimisation services and let’s get your website working harder online.