10 ways to increase the page speed test  performance 

In today’s digital world, page speed is more than just a technical detail—it’s a critical factor that can determine the success or failure of a small business website. In the MENA region, countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are witnessing rapid growth in online commerce and digital marketing. With consumers expecting fast-loading websites and mobile-first experiences, small businesses can no longer afford to ignore their website’s performance. A slow website can drive potential customers away, reduce conversions, and negatively affect search engine rankings. Conducting a page speed test is the first step toward understanding your website’s performance and identifying areas for improvement. Tools like Google Page Speed, Page Speed Insights, and other page speed checker tools provide actionable insights to help small business owners optimize their websites. This guide will explore everything small businesses need to know about page speed optimization, from understanding its importance to implementing practical improvements, tailored specifically for the MENA market.

What is Page Speed?

Page speed refers to how quickly a website’s pages load and display content to users. It is a crucial element of user experience (UX) and directly impacts your business’s performance online. There are two primary aspects of page speed:

1. Page Load Time – The total time it takes for a page to fully display in the browser.
2. Time to First Byte (TTFB) – The time it takes for the server to respond with the first byte of information after a request.

For small businesses, a slow-loading website can lead to frustrated visitors, higher bounce rates, and lost sales. Using tools like Google Page Speed or website page speed test platforms, business owners can identify bottlenecks and take actionable steps toward improvement.

Why Page Speed is Critical for Small Businesses

A fast website is a powerful asset for small businesses in the MENA region. Here’s why:

1. Improved User Experience – Customers expect websites to load quickly. A fast-loading website keeps visitors engaged and encourages them to explore more pages.
2. Higher Conversion Rates – Every second counts. Research shows that even a 1-second delay can reduce conversions by up to 7%.
3. Reduced Bounce Rate – Slow websites frustrate users, causing them to leave quickly. Using a mobile page speed test can reveal performance issues specifically affecting mobile users, who make up a large portion of online traffic in MENA.
4. Better SEO Rankings – Search engines prioritize fast-loading websites. Optimizing your site’s speed can improve rankings and increase visibility in search results.

By investing in page speed optimization services, small businesses can create websites that perform better, retain visitors, and convert leads into sales.

How Page Speed Impacts SEO

Website speed is no longer a minor SEO factor—it’s a cornerstone of search engine optimization. Google uses Core Web Vitals to measure page performance, including:

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures loading performance.
• First Input Delay (FID): Measures interactivity.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures visual stability.

Tools like Page Speed Insights and Google Page Speed provide detailed analysis of these metrics, highlighting areas that need attention. Small businesses in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar can benefit significantly from page speed optimization service, ensuring their websites meet these performance standards and rank higher on Google search results.

Factors Affecting Page Speed

Several factors can slow down your website. Understanding these is essential for effective page speed optimization:

1. Server Performance Hosting your website on a fast, reliable server in the MENA region can reduce delays. Using a page speed test online can reveal if your server response time is affecting performance.
2. Website Design Heavy images, unoptimized scripts, and complex animations can dramatically slow your site. Compressing media files and simplifying design can improve speed.
3. Caching & Compression Implementing browser caching and GZIP compression reduces load times by storing static resources and compressing files before delivery.
4. Mobile Optimization With the rise of smartphones in MENA, mobile page speed is critical. Tools like mobile page speed test provide insights on how your website performs on mobile devices.
5. Third-Party Scripts Ads, social media widgets, and analytics scripts can increase page load times. Minimizing or delaying non-essential scripts can boost performance.

Tools to Measure and Analyze Page Speed

To improve website speed, you first need to understand your current performance. Several tools are available:

• Google Page Speed – Offers a detailed breakdown of Core Web Vitals and practical suggestions.
• Page Speed Insights – Provides a score for both mobile and desktop performance.
• GTmetrix – Analyzes page speed and gives actionable recommendations.
• Pingdom – Monitors website performance over time.
• Website Page Speed Test Platforms – Various online page speed checker tools offer quick insights into loading times.

These tools are essential for small businesses seeking to implement page speed optimization services effectively.

Step-by-Step Tips to Improve Page Speed

Here are high-quality, SEO-optimized, step-by-step tips to improve Page Speed, written for small businesses in the MENA region and suitable for use inside your article. I included your keywords naturally and crafted the content with the E-E-A-T strategy in mind:

1. Perform a Full Website Page Speed Test

Before making any changes, you need to understand where your website stands. Use tools like:

• Page Speed Insights
• GTmetrix
• Pingdom
• Any reliable page speed checker

Run both a website page speed test and a mobile page speed test because mobile performance is critical in the MENA region. These tests highlight issues such as large images, slow server response time, unused JavaScript, and more.

2. Compress and Optimize All Images

Images are one of the most common causes of slow websites. To fix this:

• Convert images to next-gen formats like WebP
• Use compression tools (TinyPNG, Squoosh, Imagify)
• Reduce image dimensions based on where they appear
• Enable "lazy loading" so images load only when users scroll to them

After optimization, run another page speed test to measure improvements.

3. Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML

Large CSS or JavaScript files slow down your site. Improve your page speed insight score by:

• Removing unnecessary code
• Combining files where possible
• Minifying CSS and JS using tools or plugins
• Delaying non-critical JavaScript

This is one of the simplest ways to improve results in Page Speed Insights.

4. Use Fast, Local Hosting (Preferably in the MENA Region)

Server speed plays a huge role in your Time to First Byte (TTFB). For small businesses targeting Saudi Arabia, the UAE, or Qatar:

• Choose a hosting provider with servers located in or near the MENA region
• Upgrade to VPS or cloud hosting instead of shared hosting
• Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for global performance

A fast server dramatically improves your page speed test online scores.

5. Enable Browser Caching

Caching stores parts of your site on a visitor’s device. This means when they return, your site loads faster.

• Enable browser caching (via .htaccess or a plugin)
• Cache static resources (images, CSS, JS)
• Reduce repetitive requests

This improves repeated visits and boosts your website page speed test results.

6. Reduce Number of Redirects

Each redirect creates additional loading time. To optimize:

• Remove unnecessary internal redirects
• Fix broken links
• Avoid redirect chains (A → B → C → D)

This will help boost your technical SEO and improve Google Page Speed ratings.

7. Remove Unused Plugins & Heavy Scripts

Many WordPress and Shopify websites in MENA are overloaded with plugins that aren't needed. To optimize:

• Delete plugins you don’t use
• Replace heavy plugins with lightweight alternatives
• Limit tracking and third-party scripts

This is essential for better scores in page speed checker tools.

8. Use a Lightweight Theme or Template

Some themes look beautiful but are coded poorly and load slowly. For best performance:

• Choose optimized, lightweight themes
• Avoid themes with unnecessary animation or sliders
• Always test your theme using a website page speed test before finalizing it

9. Optimize Above-the-Fold Content

Above-the-fold content loads first and affects user experience the most. You can optimize it by:

• Loading essential elements first
• Deferring non-critical scripts
• Prioritizing visible content

Improving your Page Speed Insight score becomes much easier with this step.

10. Use Professional Page Speed Optimization Services (Optional but Powerful)

If you want advanced improvements, consider hiring a page speed optimization service. Experts can:

• Fix server-level issues
• Correct cumulative layout shifts (CLS)
• Optimize Core Web Vitals deeply
• Improve both mobile and desktop speed
• Provide continuous monitoring and reports

This is ideal for small businesses in MENA that rely heavily on online sales and ads.

How to Choose a Page Speed Optimization Service

Choosing the right page speed optimization service starts with evaluating the company’s technical expertise and proven results. A reliable provider should understand how to run accurate page speed tests, analyze Google Page Speed Insights data, and apply advanced techniques that improve both mobile and desktop performance. Look for a service that offers transparent reporting, clear communication, and customized strategies tailored to your business goals. It’s also important to check whether the team uses safe, SEO-friendly optimization methods—such as code minification, image compression, caching setups, and server enhancements—without compromising your website’s structure or user experience. One standout example in the MENA region is Above-Quality, a digital marketing and performance optimization company known for delivering measurable speed improvements for businesses in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and beyond. Above-Quality provides a comprehensive page speed optimization service that begins with deep diagnostics, followed by practical improvements aligned with Google’s core web vitals. The company focuses on enhancing site loading times, improving mobile responsiveness, and elevating SEO rankings, making it an excellent choice for small businesses aiming for fast, high-converting websites. With their experience, transparency, and tailored solutions, Above-Quality is a trusted partner for achieving top-tier website performance.

Conclusion

For small businesses in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and the wider MENA region, page speed is no longer optional—it’s essential. A fast website improves user experience, enhances SEO, boosts conversions, and strengthens your marketing efforts. By leveraging tools like Google Page Speed, Page Speed Insights, mobile page speed test, and investing in page speed optimization services, small businesses can stay competitive, retain customers, and maximize online revenue. Conduct a page speed test online today, analyze your website, and take actionable steps to ensure your small business website performs at its best. Remember, every second counts in the digital world.