How to optimize Grav for Core Web Vitals?

@jamison 

Optimizing Grav, a flat-file CMS, for Core Web Vitals involves focusing on performance improvements, enhancing user experience, and ensuring your website meets Google's criteria for speed, responsiveness, and visual stability. Here are some key strategies:

1. Optimize Images: Use appropriate image formats like WebP for better compression without quality loss. Implement lazy loading to delay loading offscreen images until users scroll to them. Use responsive images (srcset and sizes) to load different images based on device screen size.
2. Improve Server Response Times: Use caching effectively by implementing Grav's built-in caching features. Enable support for caching pages, assets, and images. Consider using a content delivery network (CDN) to reduce server load and improve delivery times.
3. Minimize CSS and JavaScript: Combine and minify CSS and JavaScript files to reduce the number of HTTP requests and file sizes. Use asynchronous loading for non-critical JavaScript or defer loading until necessary. Remove unused CSS and JavaScript to minimize file sizes and execution times.
4. Optimize Fonts: Use modern font formats like WOFF2 for better compression. Use font-display: swap in your CSS to ensure text remains visible during font loading. Only load the necessary font weights and styles to reduce overhead.
5. Enhance First Input Delay (FID): Make sure JavaScript execution is efficient and non-blocking. Avoid heavy computations on the main thread by offloading tasks to web workers when possible. Limit the use of large JavaScript libraries; use lightweight alternatives or code splitting.
6. Improve Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Use size attributes on images and video elements, or reserve space with CSS, to prevent layout shifts as they load. Avoid inserting content above existing content unless it’s user-initiated. Ensure animations and transitions use CSS properties that do not trigger layout changes.
7. Use an Efficient Hosting Provider: Choose a hosting provider that offers fast server response times and is optimized for PHP applications.
8. Regularly Audit with Tools: Utilize tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, or GTmetrix to regularly audit your site’s performance and get specific optimization suggestions. Monitor site performance and resolve any emerging issues promptly.

By focusing on these key areas, you can make significant improvements to your Grav site's Core Web Vitals, enhancing both user experience and search engine performance.