First Input Delay (FID)

Related KPIs

First Input Delay (FID) Interpretation

High FID values indicate sluggish interactivity, which can frustrate users and lead to abandonment. Conversely, low FID values suggest a responsive experience that encourages user engagement. Ideal targets for FID should be below 100 milliseconds for optimal performance.

• <100 ms – Excellent user experience; minimal delay
• 100–300 ms – Acceptable; monitor for potential issues
• >300 ms – Poor experience; requires immediate attention

First Input Delay (FID) Benchmarks

• Average FID for top-performing websites: 50 ms (Google)
• Industry benchmark for e-commerce: 100 ms (WebPageTest)
• Leading SaaS applications: 75 ms (Gartner)

Common Pitfalls

Many organizations underestimate the impact of FID on user retention and conversion. Failing to address high FID can lead to significant revenue loss over time.

• Neglecting to optimize third-party scripts can introduce delays. Many websites rely on external resources that can slow down loading times and increase FID, impacting user experience.
• Overloading pages with heavy media content can degrade performance. Large images or videos can increase load times, leading to higher FID and frustrated users.
• Ignoring mobile optimization often results in poor FID. Mobile users expect quick interactions, and a lack of responsiveness can drive them away.
• Not conducting regular performance audits can leave issues unresolved. Continuous monitoring is essential to identify and rectify factors contributing to high FID.

Improvement Levers

Improving FID requires a strategic focus on web performance and user experience. Organizations can implement several actionable tactics to enhance responsiveness.

• Minimize JavaScript execution time to reduce delays. Streamlining scripts and deferring non-essential tasks can significantly improve FID.
• Optimize images and media files for faster loading. Using appropriate formats and compression techniques can enhance page speed and reduce FID.
• Implement lazy loading for offscreen content. This technique ensures that only visible elements load initially, improving perceived performance and reducing FID.
• Utilize a content delivery network (CDN) to speed up resource delivery. CDNs can reduce latency and improve load times, directly impacting FID.

First Input Delay (FID) Case Study Example

A leading online retailer faced challenges with high FID, which negatively impacted its conversion rates. With an average FID of 400 ms, the company noticed a significant drop in user engagement and sales. To address this, the digital team initiated a comprehensive performance optimization project. They focused on reducing JavaScript execution time and optimizing images across their platform. By implementing these changes, the retailer successfully lowered its FID to 80 ms within 6 months. This improvement led to a 25% increase in conversion rates and a notable boost in customer satisfaction. The project not only enhanced user experience but also reinforced the company's commitment to operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making.