How to Improve Time to First Byte (TTFB)
Time to First Byte measures how long it takes for the first byte of a response to arrive after a navigation begins. Redirects, connection setup and server processing can contribute. A faster response can give the browser an earlier start, but loading images, scripts and other assets still affects when the page appears.
Measure a few representative pages
Compare a public page that can be cached with a page that needs fresh data. Test both cache hits and misses where you can identify them. Note the device, location and whether a redirect occurred. Use the network timing breakdown to decide whether the main delay comes before or after the request reaches the server.
Fix the part you can reproduce
Point internal links directly to the final URL where practical. For pages that can safely be cached, check whether the page cache is being used. For dynamic pages, look at slow database queries and calls to external services. Avoid caching pages that show personal or session-specific information.
Retest the same way
Repeat the checks under comparable conditions and see whether users also get the main content sooner. If search landing pages are still slow after server response improves, our Manchester SEO team can help prioritise the affected pages alongside other search issues.
