Post-Migration Optimization: Improving Site Performance in Framer

Want your Framer site to load faster and perform better? Here's how you can improve speed, responsiveness, and user experience after migrating to Framer:

• Focus on Core Web Vitals:

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Under 2.5 seconds

  • Interaction to Next Paint (INP): Under 0.2 seconds

  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Less than 0.1

• Speed Up Loading Times:

  • Compress and format images using Framer’s automatic optimization (e.g., AVIF format).

  • Use browser caching and lightweight scripts.

  • Minimize large DOM sizes, animations, and JavaScript reliance.

• Optimize for Mobile:

  • Use responsive layouts and relative units (e.g., percentages).

  • Optimize images and videos for smaller screens.

  • Ensure touch-friendly buttons and key content are above the fold.

• Leverage Framer’s Tools:

  • Automatic image and code optimization.

  • Embed videos instead of hosting them directly.

  • Use lazy loading for offscreen assets.

• Test and Monitor Performance:

  • Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and Google Search Console help track performance.

  • Regularly check metrics like LCP, INP, CLS, and Time to First Byte (TTFB).

Check Your Site's Performance

After migrating to Framer, it's important to measure your site's performance to identify areas for improvement. Here's a breakdown of key metrics and tools to evaluate your site's health.

Key Performance Metrics

Core Web Vitals are essential for assessing your site's performance. These metrics directly impact user experience and search rankings:

Additionally, keep an eye on user behavior metrics like bounce rates and conversion rates, analyzing them separately for desktop and mobile users.

Tools for Performance Testing

Use these tools to test and analyze your site's performance:

• Google PageSpeed Insights: This tool provides detailed performance scores and actionable recommendations for both mobile and desktop. It evaluates Core Web Vitals and suggests specific improvements.

• Google Search Console: Offers real-world performance data from actual users. The Core Web Vitals report helps track how your pages perform over time, grouped by similar URLs.

• GTmetrix and Pingdom: These tools provide insights such as:

  • Loading waterfall charts

  • Server response times

  • Asset loading analysis

  • Global performance testing

Common Issues to Watch For

When testing your Framer site, be on the lookout for these potential problems:

• Invalid HTML structure

• Faulty custom code

• Unoptimized images or media

• Heavy reliance on JavaScript

• Overuse of blur effects and shadows

• Large DOM sizes

• Complex animations

For a thorough analysis, test your site at different times of day and from various locations. This approach helps uncover performance trends and ensures a smooth user experience for all visitors. Fixing these issues can lead to faster page loading and better overall performance.

Speed Up Page Loading

Improving your site's load times is crucial for better user experience. Here are some effective techniques to make your pages load faster:

Compress and Format Images

Framer simplifies image optimization with built-in tools:

• Automatic Optimization: Framer compresses images and converts them to AVIF format, ensuring the right size is served based on the viewer's device.

• Resolution Settings: The "Auto" resolution setting in Framer lets you balance image quality and file size effectively.

For more control, Framer provides six resolution options:

Set Up Browser Caching

Speed up loading by using browser caching. For example:

• Add video cover images that load quicker than the first video frame.

• Use async or defer attributes for third-party scripts.

• Implement Framer’s embed component for lightweight code snippets.

These small adjustments can make a big difference in performance.

Manage Site Assets

Efficient asset management is key to maintaining fast load times. Here’s how you can optimize various elements:

Image Management:

• Upload SVGs using the fill option instead of dragging and dropping.

• Opt for Google Fonts instead of custom fonts to improve speed.

Video Optimization:

• Embed videos via YouTube or Vimeo rather than hosting them directly.

• Add cover images for videos that appear above the fold.

• Compress self-hosted videos before uploading them.

Component Usage:

• Avoid overusing carousel or slideshow elements in hero sections.

• Remove any unnecessary third-party scripts to streamline your site.

These strategies can help ensure your site loads quickly without compromising on quality.

Make Your Site Mobile-Ready

Making sure your site works well on mobile devices is crucial, especially since so many users in the U.S. rely on smartphones. This section covers key tips for mobile design and usability.

Mobile Design Basics

Framer offers tools to help your site look great on any device. Here's how to fine-tune your mobile layout:

Responsive Layout Settings

• Use relative units like percentages (e.g., 100%) or fractions (e.g., 1fr) instead of fixed widths.

• Avoid max-width values that can limit how your site adapts to smaller screens.

• Set up breakpoints to adjust layouts for different devices and screen sizes.

Performance Optimization

• Turn on "Auto" resolution for images to take advantage of Framer’s built-in optimization.

• Use Appear effects for above-the-fold elements to improve how quickly your site loads.

• Minimize shadows and blurs to speed up rendering on mobile devices.

Once your layout is set, focus on refining clickable elements and structuring content for mobile users.

Mobile User Experience

After optimizing your layout, shift your attention to interactive elements to improve usability on mobile devices.

Touch-Friendly Elements

• Make buttons and other interactive features large enough and spaced out to prevent accidental taps.

• Place key navigation features where they’re easy to reach, like near the bottom of the screen.

Content Optimization

• Break up long pages into smaller sections to reduce DOM size and improve performance.

• Keep critical information above the fold so users see it right away.

• Avoid autoplay videos, which can drain mobile data and annoy users.

When it comes to media, choose wisely to ensure smooth performance on mobile:

Use Framer's Built-In Tools

Framer offers a range of built-in features to help improve your site's performance after migration. Here's how you can make the most of them.

Asset and Code Management

Framer simplifies optimization with its automatic asset management system, ensuring your site runs faster and more efficiently.

Image Optimization
Framer automatically optimizes images when you set the resolution to "Auto." This process includes:

• Converting images to the space-saving AVIF format.

• Serving the right image size and using lazy loading for offscreen images.

• Compressing files without losing quality.

For the best results with SVGs, upload them via frame → fill → image for better rendering.

Code Efficiency
Framer also optimizes your code files automatically for faster loading times.

Connect and Test Add-ons

When adding extra functionality through integrations or add-ons, it’s important to ensure they don’t slow down your site. Testing and monitoring are key.

Script Management Tips
Keep your site performing well by following these best practices for third-party scripts:

• Use the embed component for smaller code snippets instead of full external scripts.

• Load scripts only on the pages where they are needed.

Performance Testing
Regularly test how add-ons and integrations impact your site's performance. Use tools to monitor various aspects:

Keep Your Site Running Well

Keep an eye on Core Web Vitals to address potential issues early. Pay attention to these important metrics:

"Always test before and after making any changes. This will ensure you're not shooting in the dark. And do more than one test! Especially if you rely on a tool rather than real-world data." – Luca Da Corte, Certified Framer Expert and SEO specialist

Set up monthly checks using tools like:

• Google Search Console for monitoring Core Web Vitals

• PageSpeed Insights for detailed performance insights

• CrUX Dashboard for a broader look at metrics

Update Site Content

Once you've tracked your site's performance, update your content to improve speed and efficiency.

Image and Video Management

• Use Framer's auto-resolution feature and compress media files to optimize your content.

• Remove any media files that aren't being used.

JavaScript Optimization

Take advantage of Framer's updates to enhance site speed:

• Smart page preloading, which cuts JavaScript loading by 50%

• Async loading for third-party scripts

• Limited use of heavy animations to maintain performance

After making updates, track their effects to ensure they're working as intended.

Track Site Changes

Performance tracking tools are essential for monitoring your site's updates:

• Use Google Search Console to analyze search performance and Framer's GDPR-compliant analytics for detailed metrics.

• Preview updates on staging domains before they go live.

Version Control

Framer automatically creates a new version every time you publish. This version history is a great resource for tracking changes and ensuring updates align with your performance goals. Keep tabs on:

• Performance metrics before and after updates

• Adjustments to content and optimizations

• Technical tweaks and their effects on your site

Conclusion

Post-migration optimization plays a key role in improving your site's performance and staying competitive. A well-tuned site enhances both user experience and search engine visibility, which can directly affect your revenue.

To see real results, prioritize Core Web Vitals and make the most of Framer's optimization tools, such as server-side rendering and automatic image optimization.

Here's how optimization can make a difference:

These benefits highlight the importance of keeping your site updated and monitored regularly.

FAQs

How do I optimize my Framer site for both desktop and mobile users after migration?

To ensure your Framer site performs well on both desktop and mobile devices after migration, focus on a few key optimizations:

• Optimize images: Compress and resize images to fit specific screen sizes and consider using WebP format for faster loading. Use different images for various breakpoints when necessary.

• Embed videos: Instead of uploading videos directly, embed them from platforms like YouTube or Vimeo to reduce loading times.

• Streamline the page structure: Minimize the number of elements and avoid deep nesting in your design to keep the DOM size manageable.

• Limit animations and dynamic elements: Features like carousels and slideshows can slow down your site. Reduce the number of images or simplify these elements where possible.

• Reduce third-party scripts: Use fewer external scripts, and apply async or defer attributes to improve loading speed.

Framer also offers built-in tools and updates to enhance performance, making it easier to deliver a seamless experience for all users.

How can I monitor and improve my site's Core Web Vitals in Framer?

To monitor and enhance your site's Core Web Vitals in Framer, start by using tools like Google Search Console and PageSpeed Insights. These tools provide insights into key metrics like loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability, helping you identify areas for improvement.

Framer also includes built-in optimization features designed to streamline performance enhancements. Regularly reviewing your site's metrics and applying best practices, such as optimizing images, reducing unused code, and prioritizing mobile responsiveness, will ensure a smoother user experience.

How can I optimize images and videos to improve loading speed on my Framer site?

To boost your Framer site's loading speed, start by compressing and resizing images before uploading them. Use appropriately sized images for different screen breakpoints, such as smaller versions for mobile devices and larger ones for desktops. This ensures your site loads efficiently on all devices.

For videos, consider embedding them using platforms like YouTube or Vimeo. These services handle video streaming efficiently, reducing the strain on your site’s performance. By following these steps, you can significantly improve your site's speed and provide a smoother experience for your visitors.