Google PageSpeed Insights is a tool that measures how fast your website loads and how easy it is to use. It looks at things like load time, responsiveness, and visual stability, then gives your site a score from 0 to 100.
Think of it like a routine checkup for your website. It doesn’t tell the whole story, but it gives strong signals about whether your site is healthy or struggling.
For nonprofits especially, page speed matters more than people expect.
Why a High PageSpeed Score Matters
A fast site helps real people do real things:
- Pages load quickly, even on slower connections.
- Visitors can read, click, and donate without friction.
- Search engines are more likely to show your site in results.
Speed is also about trust. A slow site can feel broken or outdated, even if the content is great. A fast site feels reliable.
That said, we don’t believe in chasing perfection. The last 20% of PageSpeed scores are the hardest to achieve and the easiest to lose. A strong, consistent score that supports real users is far more valuable than a fragile 100.
How We Achieve High PageSpeed Scores at Cornershop
Getting good PageSpeed scores is less about one magic fix and more about many small, intentional choices.
When we build and optimize sites, we focus on things like:
- Clean, efficient code
- Right-sized images (not bigger than they need to be)
- Modern performance tools behind the scenes
- Limiting unnecessary scripts and plugins
- Making sure pages load in a logical, user-friendly order
You don’t need to know how these things work. Our job is to handle the technical details so your site stays fast and usable.
Why PageSpeed Scores Are Fragile
PageSpeed scores are a bit like a carefully packed suitcase. Everything fits nicely until someone adds one more pair of shoes.
Small changes can have a big impact. Even well-intentioned updates can slow a site down.
Common ways scores get unintentionally degraded include:
- Adding large images without optimization
- Installing new plugins or third-party tools
- Embedding videos, maps, or social feeds
- Adding tracking scripts or popups
- Running multiple fonts or font weights
None of these are “bad” by default. But every addition adds weight, and over time, that weight adds up.
A Note on Core Web Vitals
Google also looks at something called Core Web Vitals. These measure how quickly content appears, how soon a page becomes interactive, and whether things jump around as the page loads.
Most improvements here happen during development and optimization. But clients can affect these scores indirectly by adding heavy content or scripts after launch.
The takeaway: performance isn’t just a launch-day concern. It’s ongoing.
Examples:
Here are some examples of improvements that we’ve made for sites thanks to Google PageSpeed scores. We took:
Dr. Kate White’s site from a 40 to 76
Fred Ebb Foundation’s site from a 76 to 85
Team4Tech’s site from 33 to 87
FoodFinders’s site from 23 to 96
What You Can Do to Keep Your Site Fast
You don’t need to become a performance expert. A few good habits go a long way.
We recommend:
Check with us before adding new tools or plugins
A quick review can prevent accidental slowdowns.Optimize images before uploading them
Large images are one of the most common performance issues.Be selective with embeds and scripts
If something isn’t essential, it may not be worth the tradeoff.Avoid testing new features directly on your live site
Experiments can add weight fast.Reach out when something feels off
If pages feel slower, they probably are.
If you’re ever unsure, email support@cornershopcreative.com. We’re happy to look before a small change turns into a bigger problem.
The Bottom Line
PageSpeed scores matter because people matter. Speed helps your audience access your content, take action, and trust your organization.
Our goal isn’t perfection. It’s a fast, stable site that supports your mission and stays that way over time.
And we’re here to help you keep it that way.