Core Web Vitals: Why Kenyan Websites Fail and How to Fix It
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Core Web Vitals: Why Kenyan Websites Fail and How to Fix It

ByTeraCreations

Introduction

Slow. Unstable. Hard to use. That’s the reality of most Kenyan websites today.

And Google is no longer ignoring it. Core Web Vitals have become one of the strongest ranking factors in 2025. If your site fails them, you lose traffic, conversions, and visibility — even if your content is perfect.

This guide explains why Kenyan websites fail Core Web Vitals and the exact steps you can take to fix these issues.

For a full technical SEO review, start here: Technical SEO Services Kenya.

What Are Core Web Vitals

Core Web Vitals are Google’s way of measuring user experience based on three metrics.

LCP – Largest Contentful Paint

This measures how fast your main content loads.

CLS – Cumulative Layout Shift

This checks visual stability and whether elements move around.

INP – Interaction to Next Paint

This measures how fast your site reacts when users click or tap.

Learn more: Core Web Vitals for Better Rankings.

Why Most Kenyan Websites Fail Core Web Vitals

Cheap Shared Hosting

Slow servers, overcrowded hosting plans, and inconsistent uptime affect loading speed.

Heavy WordPress Themes

Themes with bloated code such as Elementor, Divi, and WPBakery slow everything down.

Uncompressed Images

Large PNG or JPEG images delay LCP significantly.

Poor Mobile Optimization

Kenya is a mobile-first market but many websites are still designed like desktop sites.

See more: Mobile SEO in Kenya.

Too Many Plugins

Most Kenyan websites run 20 to 60 plugins. Each one increases loading time.

No Caching or Minification

Basic optimizations like caching and removing unused CSS or JS are often skipped.

Poor Coding and Cheap Development

Many sites look good visually but fail technically due to poor development practices.

How Core Web Vitals Affect SEO in Kenya

  • Reduced rankings for important keywords.
  • Higher bounce rates from frustrated mobile users.
  • Increased cost per click on Google Ads.
  • Lower conversions and fewer leads.

Explore more: Role of Website Speed in SEO Rankings.

How to Fix Core Web Vitals in Kenya

Upgrade Your Hosting

Use reliable hosting solutions such as VPS or cloud hosting. Avoid extremely cheap shared hosting.

Compress and Optimize Images

Convert images to WebP and compress them using tools such as TinyPNG or ShortPixel.

Choose a Lightweight Theme

Recommended themes include:

  • Blocksy
  • GeneratePress
  • Astra

Remove Unnecessary Plugins

Keep plugin count low and remove anything not essential.

Enable Caching and Minification

Tools like WP Rocket, LiteSpeed Cache, or W3 Total Cache can significantly improve page load time.

Improve Mobile Responsiveness

Ensure your layout, spacing, fonts, and images load smoothly on mobile devices.

Fix CLS Issues

Reserve space for images, ads, and dynamic elements so layouts do not shift.

Implement a CDN

A CDN speeds up content delivery for users across Kenya and Africa.

Clean Up Code

Remove unused CSS, fix broken scripts, and optimize JavaScript execution.

Signs Your Website Is Failing Core Web Vitals

  • Slow loading on mobile
  • Elements shifting on the page
  • Google Search Console showing warnings
  • Users bouncing quickly
  • Low engagement despite good content

Core Web Vitals Audit Pricing in Kenya

A Core Web Vitals audit in Kenya typically costs:

KES 20,000 – 50,000 for one-time optimization

KES 50,000 – 150,000 monthly for technical SEO retainer

Full pricing guide: SEO Pricing in Kenya.

How Tera Creations Helps Kenyan Businesses Fix Core Web Vitals

At Tera Creations, we specialize in improving website performance, fixing technical issues, and ensuring your site meets Google’s Core Web Vitals standards.

Our services include:

  • Technical SEO audits
  • Speed optimization
  • Core Web Vitals fixes
  • Mobile-first optimization
  • CDN integration
  • WordPress and WooCommerce performance tuning

Explore services:

External Resources

FAQs: Core Web Vitals Kenya

What causes poor LCP on Kenyan websites
Large images, slow hosting, and heavy themes.

How do I fix layout shifts
Set width and height for images and reserve space for dynamic elements.

Why is mobile performance important in Kenya
Most users browse using smartphones, so Google gives priority to mobile experience.

Can Core Web Vitals improve conversions
Yes. Faster and more stable websites lead to higher engagement and sales.

Do all Kenyan websites need a Core Web Vitals audit
If you want to rank competitively, yes.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Failing Core Web Vitals is one of the biggest reasons Kenyan websites struggle to rank and convert. Fixing these issues gives you a faster site, better user experience, and stronger visibility on Google.

If your website is slow or unstable, it is time to fix it.

👉 Start here: Tera Creations
👉 View our full SEO offerings: Search Engine Optimization Services Kenya
👉 Need Core Web Vitals fixes fast? Contact Us

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