Is Your Website Slow? Here’s How to Find Out in 60 Seconds

You know that moment when you click on your own website, and it just… sits there? Maybe you’re showing it to a potential client, or you’ve sent someone the link, and there’s this awkward pause. A two-second pause. A three-second pause. And you’re thinking, “Come on, load already,” while the other person is already moving on to something else.

That feeling, that moment of waiting and wondering, is real. And you’re not alone in it. A lot of business owners I talk to have this nagging sense that their website might be slower than it should be, but they’re not sure how to check, and honestly, the technical side of it feels overwhelming. So they don’t check at all. They just hope it’s fine.

Here’s what I want you to know: you don’t need to hope. You don’t need to wonder. And you absolutely don’t need to understand code or server architecture or any of that geek stuff to figure out if your website is running as fast as it should be.

I’m going to show you exactly how to check your website speed in about 60 seconds, using free tools that anyone can understand. No tech degree required.

Why Speed Actually Matters (But Not for the Reason You Think)

Before we get into the how, let me address the why, because I want you to understand what you’re actually looking for.

A lot of people think website speed is purely about vanity, right? It looks good on a report. But that’s not why I care about it, and that’s not why you should either.

Speed matters because it’s about respect. It’s about respect for the person who’s taking time to visit your website. When someone clicks your link, they’re giving you a gift, they’re giving you their attention. If your site makes them wait, you’re not returning that gift well.

Speed also matters because your website should fit you, and a website that’s slow doesn’t fit the real version of you. The real you shows up on time. The real you honors people’s time. A sluggish website says something different about you, and it’s not true.

In my experience, when a woman’s website is slow, it’s usually because one of three things is happening: too many heavy images that haven’t been optimized, outdated code running in the background, or the website is trying to do too much at once. None of these are failures. They’re just opportunities to make your digital front door work harder for you.

The 60-Second Check: Google PageSpeed Insights

This is the tool I recommend to anyone who’s just starting to pay attention to their website’s speed. It’s free, it’s built by Google, and it gives you real, actionable information without making you feel stupid.

Here’s exactly what to do:

Step 1: Open a new browser tab and go to pagespeed.web.dev

Step 2: Copy your website URL (the whole thing, like yourname.com or www.yourname.com, depending on which version you use)

Step 3: Paste it into the box that says “Enter a URL”

Step 4: Click “Analyze”

Then wait. Google is going to check your website on both mobile and desktop, and it’s going to give you a score. That score is on a scale from 0 to 100.

Here’s what those numbers mean:

• 90-100: You’re doing great. Your website loads fast.
• 50-89: There’s an opportunity here. Your website is slower than it could be.
• Below 50: This is where I see a lot of opportunities for improvement. Your website is noticeably slow, and it’s worth addressing.

That’s it. That’s your 60-second check.

What to Do With Your Score

Now, here’s where a lot of people get stuck. They see their score, and it’s maybe a 42, or a 53, and they think, “Oh no, my website is broken.” They panic. They don’t know where to start. So they do nothing.

Let me be direct: your website is not broken. A lower score just means your website is working harder than it needs to. And that’s fixable.

When you get your results from Google PageSpeed Insights, scroll down past that big score number. You’re going to see a section called “Opportunities.” That’s the good stuff right there. Google is literally telling you what would make the biggest difference if you fixed it.

The most common opportunities I see are:

Images that are too large, This is usually the biggest culprit. You took a beautiful photo that’s 5MB, and your website is loading that giant file every single time someone visits. There’s an easy fix here: compress your images before you upload them. Tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh (both free) will make your images smaller without making them look worse.

Caching issues, This is just a fancy way of saying your website isn’t remembering things it should remember. If this comes up in your report, it usually means talking to your hosting provider or your website builder. It’s not something you fix yourself, but it’s also not complicated to explain to someone technical.

Unused code or bloated plugins, Sometimes websites accumulate things over time, like old plugins that aren’t doing anything anymore, or code running in the background that’s not serving any purpose. If this is happening, it’s worth looking at what’s actually on your website and cleaning house.

The beautiful thing about this check is that you don’t have to understand what any of it means to take the first step. You just need to know that Google is telling you what to look at, and then you can make a decision.

A Quick Word About Expectations

Here’s something I want you to know: if your website has been around for a while, especially if you built it more than three or four years ago, it’s likely slower than a brand new website built with today’s tools. That’s not a judgment on you or your website. It’s just how technology works. Newer tools are faster. Older tools are… well, older.

You don’t necessarily need to rebuild your entire website to fix a speed issue. Sometimes it’s small tweaks that make a big difference. Sometimes it’s time to refresh. That’s a conversation worth having once you know what you’re actually working with.

The reason I bring this up is because I see a lot of opportunities for improvement in websites, and speed is often one of them. But opportunities aren’t emergencies. They’re just things that matter to you once you decide they do.

The Next Step (If You Want One)

Here’s what I recommend: run the check right now. Get your score. Take a screenshot if you want to. Then sit with it for a day or two. Does that score bother you? Does it feel like it’s worth fixing? Or does your website feel like it’s working fine, and you’d rather spend your time and energy on something else?

Both answers are fine. This is your website. Your decision.

If you do decide it’s worth looking into, and you’re not sure how to fix it, or you want someone to help you understand what Google’s recommendations actually mean for your specific situation, that’s where I come in. I make it easy.

But first, run the check. That’s all I’m asking. Spend 60 seconds, get the information, and then decide what matters to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a slow website really costing me business?

In my experience, a noticeably slow website can be one reason someone doesn’t stay on your site, but it’s rarely the only reason. That said, why make someone wait? If you can make your website faster, it’s worth doing. It shows respect for their time.

What if my score is really low? Do I need to rebuild my whole website?

Not necessarily. Most of the time, a low score means there are specific things slowing it down, like images or plugins, and those can be fixed without rebuilding. You’ll know for sure once you look at what Google recommends.

Can I fix these speed issues myself?

Some of them, yes. Image compression is something you can do yourself with free tools. Removing old plugins is something you can try if you’re comfortable in your website builder. Some things, like caching, might need help from a technical person. Start by seeing what Google recommends, and you’ll know whether it’s a DIY situation.

Does website speed affect my Google search ranking?

Yes, it does play a small role. But I want to be honest, it’s not usually the biggest factor. What matters way more is having clear content, knowing exactly who you serve, and making sure your website actually reflects who you are. Speed is one piece of the puzzle, not the whole puzzle.

If your website no longer feels like you, let’s talk about it – Book a Free Website Clarity Call with Beth →