As website performance becomes essential for user experience and SEO rankings, understanding how your web host impacts your Core Web Vitals (CWV) is crucial. Google’s Core Web Vitals, which measure loading speed and visual stability, play a significant role in your site’s success.
In this article, we will look into the performance of six leading web hosts based on their Core Web Vitals scores, as reported by HTTPArchive’s new comparison dashboard in beta testing.
Understanding Core Web Vitals and Their Importance
Core Web Vitals are a set of performance metrics introduced by Google to evaluate the user experience on websites. They include:
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures loading performance, specifically when the largest visible content element has loaded.
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures visual stability by detecting how much the page layout shifts during loading.
- First Input Delay (FID): Reflects how quickly the site responds to a user’s first interaction.
- Interaction to Next Paint (INP): Indicates how responsive a webpage is to user interactions.
These metrics not only affect user experience but are also factored into Google’s search ranking algorithm. Therefore, optimizing them is essential for website performance and SEO success.
The 6 Web Hosts Ranked by Core Web Vitals
HTTPArchive’s comparison dashboard offers a snapshot of how six popular web hosts—WP Engine, GoDaddy, SiteGround, HostGator, IONOS, and Bluehost—perform in terms of Core Web Vitals. Let’s break down the findings to understand which host offers the best value for your site’s speed and user experience.
1. WP Engine: Leading the Pack
Core Web Vitals Pass Rate: 70%
WP Engine outperforms the competition across nearly every metric, making it the top choice for web hosting when Core Web Vitals are a priority. The managed WordPress hosting platform shows significant optimization for speed and stability.
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 79% of WP Engine-hosted sites pass LCP under 2.5 seconds, indicating fast load times.
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): WP Engine leads with an impressive 88% of sites scoring well for visual stability.
- Interaction to Next Paint (INP): WP Engine excels in responsiveness, with 95% of sites providing a smooth experience.
Takeaway: WP Engine’s strong performance in these metrics, particularly in LCP and INP, makes it an excellent choice for sites requiring fast, reliable performance, especially those using WordPress.
2. GoDaddy: Close Contender with Strong Results
Core Web Vitals Pass Rate: 67%
GoDaddy performs well across most of the Core Web Vitals metrics, often ranking second or third. It excels in areas like FCP (First Contentful Paint) and TTFB (Time to First Byte), which measure initial load performance.
- First Contentful Paint (FCP): GoDaddy leads with 73% of sites achieving a fast FCP.
- Time To First Byte (TTFB): GoDaddy has the fastest TTFB at 59%, helping sites start loading quickly.
- Lighthouse Performance Score: GoDaddy’s performance score is solid, ranking second alongside IONOS.
Takeaway: GoDaddy is an excellent option for users prioritizing fast initial loading times and strong overall performance, especially for general websites.
3. SiteGround: A Solid Performer
Core Web Vitals Pass Rate: 65%
SiteGround is another strong contender, offering competitive scores in several areas. It’s an excellent option for users looking for balance in performance and features.
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 75% of SiteGround sites pass LCP, indicating strong load speeds.
- Interaction to Next Paint (INP): 94% of SiteGround-hosted sites provide a good user interaction experience.
- Lighthouse Performance Score: SiteGround performs well here too, with a score of 39.
Takeaway: SiteGround delivers good results across the board and is an affordable choice for sites that need reliable performance.
4. HostGator: Consistent, but Slightly Behind the Leaders
Core Web Vitals Pass Rate: 58%
HostGator ranks in the middle but still performs admirably in certain areas. Its strong CLS score indicates solid visual stability.
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): HostGator ties for first place with WP Engine at 88%.
- Time to First Byte (TTFB): HostGator ranks well with a TTFB of 38%.
- Lighthouse Performance Score: HostGator leads with a score of 43, showing solid overall performance.
Takeaway: HostGator provides good overall performance, particularly in visual stability and responsiveness. It’s a great choice for users who prioritize these metrics.
5. IONOS: Reliable, But With Some Room for Improvement
Core Web Vitals Pass Rate: 58%
IONOS is comparable to HostGator, offering decent scores but lagging behind the top performers in some areas.
- First Contentful Paint (FCP): 60% of IONOS sites pass FCP quickly, slightly ahead of HostGator and Bluehost.
- Time To First Byte (TTFB): IONOS has a solid TTFB score of 45%, outperforming WP Engine and SiteGround.
Takeaway: IONOS is a solid choice if you’re looking for reliable hosting with a focus on initial load times and server responsiveness.
6. Bluehost: Falling Behind in Core Web Vitals
Core Web Vitals Pass Rate: 45%
Bluehost lags in Core Web Vitals, with notably poor performance in LCP and FCP metrics.
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Only 52% of Bluehost sites pass LCP under 2.5 seconds.
- First Contentful Paint (FCP): Bluehost performs the worst in FCP, with just 39% of sites loading content quickly.
Takeaway: While Bluehost is a popular choice for WordPress hosting, its Core Web Vitals scores show that it’s not the fastest option. Consider other hosts if performance is a top priority.
Key Takeaways: Which Host Should You Choose?
When choosing a web host for optimal Core Web Vitals performance, the clear winner is WP Engine. Its managed WordPress hosting offers fast loading speeds, excellent visual stability, and high responsiveness, making it ideal for performance-focused websites.
GoDaddy and SiteGround also deliver strong performance, especially if you’re looking for a balance between features and Core Web Vitals.
For those prioritizing server responsiveness and quick loading times, HostGator and IONOS are reliable alternatives, but they fall slightly behind the top performers.
Lastly, Bluehost ranks lowest in terms of Core Web Vitals, so consider other options if performance is crucial for your site’s success.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Web Host
Your web host plays a critical role in your website’s performance and user experience. While no host is perfect, selecting one with optimized Core Web Vitals can give you an edge in search rankings and user satisfaction.
