Performance: The gap between perceived and measured speed

Performance: The gap between perceived and measured speed

Technical performance metrics don't always align with user perception. A site can be technically fast but feel slow, or vice versa.

Perceived vs. Measured

Users care about:

  • **Time to meaningful content**: When can they start reading/interacting?
  • **Interaction responsiveness**: Do clicks feel immediate?
  • **Progress indication**: Do they know something is happening?
  • **Smooth animations**: Does motion feel natural?

    • Technical metrics focus on:

  • Time to first byte
  • Bundle sizes
  • Lighthouse scores
  • Core Web Vitals

    • Optimizing Perception

    Progressive Enhancement

    Load content in meaningful chunks rather than waiting for everything.

    Optimistic UI

    Show expected results immediately, correct if necessary.

    Skeleton Screens

    Provide structure while content loads.

    Micro-interactions

    Acknowledge user actions immediately.

    Balanced Approach

    The best performance strategy addresses both technical metrics and user perception. Fast loading times matter, but so does the feeling of speed throughout the entire interaction.