Using Google Fonts helps you make an aesthetic website; however, they can influence the website’s PageSpeed performance as they are externally hosted. Among the 1500 Google fonts, selecting proper Google fonts for a website can be daunting.
In this guide, we will discuss what Google fonts are and the negative image of Google fonts. Then we will show you some effective strategies that you must know when you are using Google fonts. Finally, we will list 5 Google fonts that you need to use for boosting your user experience.
What are Google fonts?
Google introduced a library of free and open-source fonts, named Google Fonts. Nowadays, these Google fonts are widely used by web developers for its simplicity. Just by adding a line of code in HTML, you can easily add Google fonts in the website.
The HTML syntax:
<link href= ‘https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto|Pacifico’ rel=’stylesheet’>
The impact on Google fonts in PageSpeed performance
Using Google font instead of using default fonts makes a website more attractive, however it can negatively affect the website’s PageSpeed performance. Let’s see how using a Google font can negatively impact the website’s PageSpeed performance.
Google fonts are hosted from the external server. During the page loading time, the browser needs to load those Google fonts from the external server, which automatically slows down your website.
While every user wants a fast loading website, a slow loading website can be the reason for your frustrated user which leads to increase the bounce rate as well as reduce the average on-page time in Google console.
Not only slowing down a website, using Google fonts can also be the reason for a glitch or flash on a website during the initial page loading.
During page rendering, if the browser takes a longer time to load the Google fonts, the browser usually renders the web page’s content using the default font. After the Google Fonts are fully loaded, the browser switches the local fonts into the Google font. This is also known as FOUT (Flash of Unstyled Text). This can hamper the user’s concentration by affecting the website’s visual stability.
Some strategies for choosing Google fonts
Achieving a better conversion rate depends on many factors; website’s PageSpeed is also among them. Let’s see the most effective strategies you should know especially when you are adding the Google fonts in your website or have already added Google font.
- Add link preloader in the HTML file
- Use web-safe fonts
- Try to select the Google fonts from the same family
Add link preload in the HTML file
Adding link preload in the HTML <head> tag is one of the most effective font optimization techniques which can easily mitigate the problem arising for using Google fonts. By using link preload in the HTML <head> tag, you can instruct the browser to load the fonts before it is required.
By adding some lines of code in the HTML file or text editor, you also can easily add the link preload.
The HTML syntax:
<head>
<link rel=”preload” href=”/assets/Pacifico-Bold.woff2″ as=”font” type=”font/woff2″>
</head>
Use web-safe fonts
Web-safe fonts refer to the web fonts which are pre-installed in the user’s browser. Thus, when you are using a web-safe font, the browser doesn’t need any extra time to load the font again. This would improve the website’s PageSpeed performance which enhances the user experience.
Try to select the Google Fonts from the same family
It’s always recommended to use Google fonts from the same font family if you are also concerned about the website’s PageSpeed performance. It can significantly improve the page loading performance of a website.
Exploring 3 Google fonts for boosting user experience
Let’s explore the most popular 3 web safe Google fonts which you can use if you want to add Google fonts for enhancing the user experience.
| Google fonts | Typeface | Mostly used for |
| Roboto | Sans Serif | Mostly used as the default system font on Android. Also it can be any Google service likeGoogle Maps, YouTube, and other Google services. |
| Arial | Sans Serif | It is widely used fr the official purpose |
| Open sans | Sans Serif | This web-safe Google font is mostly used for web design purposes, apart from this, it can be used in mobile interface. |
Conclusion
Adding Google fonts may improve your website’s visual appearance; however, it is also responsible for the poor PageSpeed performance of a website. In this blog, we have discussed the negative impact of using Google Font in a website’s PageSpeed performance.
In order to provide a seamless user experience, we have mentioned some easiest strategies that you need to know if you are using Google fonts. Not only that, you save your valuable time, we have listed some web-safe Google fonts that you can use for enhancing the user experience.
As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
