Core Web Vitals industry benchmarks

Core Web Vitals – Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), Interaction to Next Paint (INP), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – are crucial metrics for assessing website performance. Industry-specific benchmarks reveal how different sectors perform, helping businesses set realistic goals and optimize for better user experiences and SEO.

Why Industry Benchmarks Matter

Benchmarks help businesses:

Set practical, industry-specific goals.
Identify performance gaps for targeted improvements.
Enhance user experience by meeting industry expectations for engagement and retention.

Core Web Vitals Benchmarks by Industry

Retail

Statistics: Only 38% of retail sites meet LCP benchmarks; 93% pass FID, and 30% meet CLS standards.
Average Benchmarks:
- LCP: 2.8-3.5 seconds, impacted by high-resolution images.
- INP: 250-300 milliseconds, due to interactive filters.
- CLS: 0.15-0.2, affected by banners and pop-ups.
Challenges: Heavy imagery slows load times.
Optimization Strategies: Implement image compression and lazy loading.

Finance

Statistics: Less than 50% of financial sites meet LCP and CLS benchmarks.
Average Benchmarks:
- LCP: 2.5-3 seconds, impacted by complex dashboards.
- INP: 180-250 milliseconds, influenced by data interactions.
- CLS: 0.12-0.18, with layout shifts from form updates.
Challenges: Secure data processing can slow response times.
Optimization Strategies: Defer non-essential scripts and improve caching.

B2B

Statistics: Only 13% of B2B sites pass all Core Web Vitals assessments.
Average Benchmarks:
- LCP: 3-3.5 seconds, impacted by detailed content.
- INP: 250-350 milliseconds, due to interactive elements.
- CLS: 0.15-0.2, with embedded widgets.
Challenges: Complex scripts reduce responsiveness.
Optimization Strategies: Streamline code execution and minimize third-party scripts.

Education

Statistics: Just 5% of educational sites meet Core Web Vitals thresholds.
Average Benchmarks:
- LCP: 3.5-4 seconds, impacted by multimedia.
- INP: Over 300 milliseconds, influenced by interactive modules.
- CLS: 0.2-0.25, due to shifting content.
Challenges: Large video files and interactive tools impact metrics.
Optimization Strategies: Optimize video loading and reserve space for dynamic elements.

Case Studies

Retail Site Improvement

A leading eCommerce company observed that their LCP scores were higher than desired, primarily due to large product images and promotional banners. By implementing best practices such as image compression and lazy loading, the company reduced its LCP from 3.2 to 2.5 seconds. This optimization not only enhanced user experience but also led to a 15% increase in completed sales. The source of these insights comes from industry-focused performance reports that highlight the benefits of targeted image and script optimizations for retail sites.

Travel Platform Enhancement

A travel booking site faced issues with CLS, particularly due to layout shifts from dynamic pricing updates and pop-up offers. By reserving space for dynamic elements and ensuring content did not shift during loading, the platform stabilized its layout and improved its CLS score. This change led to an 8% increase in booking completion rates, reflecting how addressing layout stability can significantly influence user trust and transaction success. These findings are supported by industry research that emphasizes the impact of consistent and stable user experiences on conversion rates.

These examples are supported by insights from web performance studies and real-world analyses found in BrightEdge research and other industry benchmark reports. Such studies often showcase how applying Core Web Vitals best practices results in measurable improvements in user engagement and revenue growth.

Meeting Core Web Vitals industry benchmarks is essential for improving SEO, user engagement, and conversion rates. By understanding these benchmarks and applying targeted strategies, businesses can ensure sustainable growth and a competitive edge.