Google’s 2018 “speed update” identifies page speed as a crucial ranking factor. Also, every single second of delay in page performance brings down the conversion by 7%. And it goes without saying that page speed impacts user experience in a major way.

Now unless you have been living under a rock, you are already aware of these facts mentioned above. Therefore, it makes sense that you start paying some attention to boost your website speed, which begins by initiating a speed test on your site.

So, here we are with five free website testing tools that you can use to test your website speed and performance and take it several notches higher based on the result.

1. GTMetrix

GTMetrix is one of the most widely used online applications for testing website speed. You can use it for free to get valuable insights into your site’s performance. All you need to do is visit their site, copy your page’s URL and paste it there to see how your site performs on the speed index. The result would include performance scores, which are represented by grades from A to F.

Also, GTMetrix would provide page details like its load time, total size, and the number of requests that it has received. Also, it would provide you with recommendations to improve your page’s score.

You can test your site in different countries through various browsers on various simulated devices. While it provides the users with significant information for free, you can sign up for the paid version if you want more detailed monitoring.

2. Uptrends

Uptrends is a monitoring tool that is meant to keep a tab on your website’s performance, uptime, and functionality, along with those of your APIs and servers.

The tool is compatible with various protocol technologies for site and server monitoring needs, including SQL, MySQL, FTP, IMAP, HTTP/HTTPS, POP3, and SMTP. It allows for automatic sending of emails containing dashboard reports in PDF or excel file to the recipient of your choice.

Also, you can keep a check on your API up time and set up API calls to cross-check its response data. You can use Uptrends to also monitor the multi-step processes in your site like login, forms, and shopping carts.

Moreover, you can choose from a range of options like browser, type of mobile device, location, etc. to customize the data. You will be able to see a detailed report of the site in the results. However, you can also divide it into three different categories i.e., general information, waterfall, and domain groups.

Uptrends come with a 30-day free trial. You can go for a paid subscription that starts at $12 per month if you wish to continue using this software after the free trial period.

3. WebPagetest

WebPagetest is an effective online tool that you can use to test your site’s rendering speed in browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer, from any part of the world.

Backed by advanced settings with options for simulation of common Internet connection speeds and ad-blocking, it lets you see the performance cost of running advertisements on your website.

Also, you can decide on the number of tests that you want to run and get the first and repeat view of the web page. Moreover, it assesses the efficacy of multi-step transactions and video capture.

You can use different mobile devices to check how your site performs on different mobile platforms. Also, it would provide you with diagnostic information on loading waterfall charts and recommendations on how you can improve your site’s overall performance for better user experience.

4. Google PageSpeed Insights

Google PageSpeed Insight is another free website speed testing tool, which would give you the overall page speed score once you have entered the URL of the page that you want to check.

The tool uses different parameters to run a site speed test and then tells you whether the web page is fast, slow, or average, based on the score that it attains.

It dishes out different scores based on the website’s performance on mobile and desktop. It also provides recommendations on how to optimize response time. Google’s 2018 “speed update”, which focuses on how quickly a page loads on a mobile, means that websites that load quickly on mobile devices get higher scores.

Also, it gives recommendations on what you can do to improve your site’s performance.

5. Pingdom Tools

Pingdom is a web page and performance monitoring tool that helps users make their site faster and more reliable. It provides users with a complete breakdown of how long it takes each object on their page to download and performance grades for things like browser caching.

You can use this tool to analyze the page for load time, size, and requests from anywhere in the world. Also, it would trace your performance history and grade it out of 100 to help you plug the recurring issues in your site.

Since it sends you SMS or emails to notify you about the performance of your web page, you can get instant alerts on the issues in your site. Moreover, it would give suggestions on what can be done to address the problems in your page and boost your site’s performance quickly.

However, Pingdom isn’t entirely free. After a 14-day free trial, you will have to go for a paid subscription if you wish to continue using it.

Wrapping Up

There’s no way you can get a solution by merely staring at your laptop or mobile screen and waiting for your web page to load faster. Try going for some or all of these website testing tools mentioned above. Research all the possibilities and what they offer. Take as much advantage as you can out of free trials and then make a call on which software is the most suited to your needs.