Web server speed is basically how quickly your web server replies to your user browser request. Every time your audience types your domain name on their browser, a request is sent to your web hosting on the NZ server.
The speed at which the website loads is dependent upon the server speed offered by the web host. In this article, we will understand factors affecting web server speed and tips for checking web hosting speed.
So, before choosing a web hosting provider for your business, read this article to learn how to control your web server speed better.
What Factors Affect Server Speed?
Server Speed is the time it takes the server to respond to your audience’s browser request. Web hosting speed depends on several factors; let’s understand them quickly.
● Server Location
Server location, the distance between the physical server and the audience, can affect your web server speed. The further apart they are, the slower they will be.
● Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the amount of data transferred at a specific time from the server to the audience browser. Therefore, the more bandwidth your web hosting in the NZ plan has, the faster your server speed will be.
● Hardware
Your web server capabilities, including your processing power and memory, also impact your web server speed. That means the more resources you have, the better the speed.
● Software
The compatibility of the software you are using with your OS also directly affects your web server speed. The more compatible they are, the better your web hosting speed will be.
How Web Hosting Type Affects Your Web Hosting Speed?
The type of high-speed web hosting you choose must blend well with your environmental needs. That means the volume of traffic you are planning to host, the resources required, and the scalability scope for best performance under varying loads. For example
| Web hosting Type | Meaning | Works for | Relations with Speed |
| Shared Hosting | Shared environment between multiple users, making it economical Choice | Smaller websites or blogs with low-traffic | Server speed can suffer during high-traffic periods |
| VPS Hosting | Virtual Sharing of an environment with each user getting dedicated space | Larger websites or businesses with moderate to high traffic | Resource Contention Issues Overcrowding on server |
| Dedicated Hosting | Complete server isolation for a single user. | Large businesses with substantial traffic | Issues with server configurations like outdated hardware or single-point failure |
Which Website Speed Metrics Matter the Most?
1. Time to First Byte
The first and most important metric is the time to the first byte, also known as TTFB. It calculates the time from the first browser request to the first byte of data that travels from the server, which indicates how responsive your web server is.
2. Page Load Time
Page load time metric measures the time needed to load all the elements on your website. You can get a detailed report and understand which element is slowing down your web server. Some of the best tools also offer suggestions for optimisation.
3. Latency
Another important server speed metric is latency, which calculates the time it takes data to travel from the server to your audience’s browser. The less time, the better your user experience will be.
4. Distribution of Web Page Components
The distribution of web page components measures how long each element on your webpage takes to load. Various tools give a clearer picture of clogging for better optimization.
Tools That Can Be Utilized To Measure Web Server Speed
| Tools | How It Works | |
| 1 | GTmetrix | This tool offers a comprehensive analysis of your website’s speed, considering all aspects influencing performance. That includes website design, DNS lookup time, and media file usage. |
| 2 | Google PageSpeed Insights | This tool offers your web server speed score along with the scope for improvement. It provides detailed bifurcation between mobile and desktop and insights into user experience across all your different platforms. |
| 3 | BitCatcha | This tool analyzes your web server’s response time from 10 strategically located global locations simultaneously. |
Conclusion
Web hosting speed affects your website’s user experience, SEO and ranking, and conversion rates. Therefore, it is important to monitor, track and optimize it to ensure efficiency.
With the help of different focus points shared in articles like metrics, you get a better understanding of web server speed. Further, you can use the recommended tool to analyze and improve your website’s performance.