The time it takes for a web page to load can make or break a user’s experience, influencing their decision to stay and explore or abandon the site altogether. As a mortgage website owner, you understand precisely how fierce the competition is and how critical it is to grab a digital prospect’s attention from the first click –and prioritizing website page speed is the battleground that cannot be ignored in the aspect.

In an increasingly competitive mortgage landscape, even a single additional second of loading time can jeopardize valuable leads and tarnish your company’s reputation.

Start Winning With an AI-Driven Mortgage Website

Stay tuned as we cover all the essentials about website page speed, helping you understand what factors are at play and a list of free tools you can use to check your site speed.

What is Website Page Speed?

Your website’s page speed measures how quickly the page content loads, including text, images, animations, links, and all other elements present on your website, page by page.

In technical terms, page speed is the amount of time it takes between the browser’s request for a page until the browser completes processing and rendering the content. How fast a web page loads depends on many factors, which we will get to later.

So why should you care about page speed?

Website speed directly affects the user experience. After all, who would want to endure the irritating loading sign for even a mere 5-10 seconds? Many lose patience quickly. A survey from early 2022 revealed that more than half of web users expect a web page to load in just three seconds or less.

If you delay webpage speed improvements, you risk losing a staggering 90% of your visitors with little chance of them returning.

Therefore, you need to make a good impression on your potential homeowners now so new visitors are enticed and returning visitors keep returning.

Meet LHP 3.0: Mortgage Sites Built For Speed!

How Page Speed Impacts SEO

Along with user experience, Google and other search engines are favorable toward websites that load quickly. Google algorithms are moving towards pushing out pages that are helpful to the audience, and a slow page does the opposite.

A slow site leads to higher bounce rates (percentage of website visitors who leave a webpage without interacting with it further), which causes search engines to deprioritize ranking your site higher than other websites with lower bounce rates.

Imagine losing out on hundreds of interested home loan buyers because they leave your website too quickly due to slow load times. This is the last thing you want in an already competitive market.

Additionally, search engines can crawl fast-loading pages faster and more easily. When thinking about page speed to optimize for mortgage SEO, we can’t forget optimization for mobile devices. Luckily, there are free tests you can run online, which test for mobile too, which we will cover here.

What All Affects Mortgage Website Page Speed?

To fix your website page speed, you need to first understand the various factors that slow down your website.

Number of animations and eye-catching elements

Did you know that around 50% of online users prefer a fast-loading site over cool-looking animations? Animations are created through Javascript, and using too much Javascript on your website can severely slow it down.

If you’re able to balance using the right amount of Javascript so site speed is not sacrificed too much, then there should be no problem. However, you should be able to determine when it becomes detrimental to your visitors’ experience.

You also want to be careful about which website theme you choose. Certain eye-catching themes do no good for your user experience. That captivating GIF on your homepage? It’s likely that only 3 out of 25 people who land on your site see it since it’s the last element that loads.

Luckily, most mortgage websites are simple and to the point while having a professional look and feel, so there’s no need for advanced animations.

Large file sizes

Building upon the previous point, there are other types of files along with Javascript that reduce site speed. Websites can have redundant lines of HTML and CSS code, which wouldn’t harm your user experience if you took them out; it would only improve the experience.

If a certain line of code serves no purpose to encourage your audience to talk to you, you should eliminate it. A large file size is not worth even 10 seconds of your audience’s time, as most will leave after 3-5 seconds.

Images and videos

Website owners don’t normally think too much about images affecting site speed. You may upload an image that’s 732KB followed by an image that’s 3.3MB, and it may never catch your eye. That’s until your site starts loading at a turtle’s pace.

To resolve this issue, manually compress images or use a website platform like our newly launched LHP3 to automatically compress images and videos as you upload them to your website.

Number of plugins and widgets

Having a few good plugins that help improve operations and save you time should be no biggie.

However, every new plugin you add makes your site slower and slower, and you eventually reach a point where it harms your conversion rates.

Plugins are also notorious for downloading certain harmful software onto your website, such as viruses and malware. Even if you ensure that you download a plugin from a trusted source, it’s still easy to download an earlier version of a software that has vulnerabilities.

That’s why you want to keep this to a minimum.

Redirects

It makes sense that redirects slow down your website because users are directed to one web address and then immediately taken to another, resulting in the loss of valuable seconds.

Redirects are sometimes necessary to point traffic to a new URL when you have to retire the old URL, and they also forward authority, or the number of links to your web page from other domains, which gives you good SEO benefits.

However, site owners should keep redirects minimal because they play a major part in slowing down your website. The best way to avoid redirects is to carefully name your URL the first time you create a new page. Ask yourself if the URL name will work 2, 5, or even 10 years from now.

For example, if you are writing an article about ‘Everything You Need to Know About FHA Loans in 2023’, you must realize that you may come back and revamp that same post for next year. So your URL can be ‘websitename.com/fha-loans-everything-to-know’, eliminating the year from the slug so it’s not constrained by time.

Hosting service

All websites have to rely on a hosting service to help their website run. However, certain hosting services have slow servers that directly impact the performance of your website.

It’s important to choose a good hosting service that has little to no downtime. Luckily, if you do happen to choose a bad hosting service, you can always migrate to a new service with little to no extra charge.

LenderHomePage websites already have dedicated servers that can host your mortgage website. One of the key components of our new LHP 3.0 website templates is impressive load times backed by our lightning-fast servers to ensure optimal lead generation numbers.

Invest in Your Success – Schedule a Demo

Tools to Monitor Page Speed

Did you know that there are a handful of free tools online that allow you to monitor the speed of your web pages and present you with detailed suggestions for fixes? Here are a few of our favorite ones.

Google PageSpeed Insights

Google’s PageSpeed Insights is one of the most reliable page speed tools since it comes directly from Google. This tool tests the speed of your mortgage content on both desktop and mobile.

PageSpeed Insights assigns a score to the webpage based on its performance, ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicates better performance and faster loading times. Additionally, you are presented with helpful suggestions to improve your page’s speed.

GTMetrix

GTMetrix is another reliable tool similar to Pagespeed Insights that tests your website for free. It assigns a grade (A, B, C, D, or E) to your website, with A being the best score. The neat part about this tool is that it also tests your core web vitals.

The tool’s report includes specific recommendations for improving elements such as page caching, image optimization, JavaScript and CSS minification, and server response time.

Google Search Console

Another powerful tool by Google, Google Search Console not only shows you how well you rank on Google for different search queries but also what elements of your website are slowing it down. The Speed report breaks down URLs into three different categories “Slow, moderate, and fast”. 

The data in Google Search Console connects directly to Pagespeed Insights to give you a better idea of each issue and gives you a list of ways to accelerate page speed.

WebPage Test

This tool provides detailed insights into various aspects of webpage loading, including load times, rendering, and resource usage. Upon completing the initial test, WebPage Test provides a performance summary broken down by site loading time, usability, and resilience with actionable next steps.

What’s unique about this tool is that it provides you a visual of each millisecond so you can see how long the screen remains blank before the content loads and which elements load first.

As online users become increasingly impatient and demanding, mortgage website owners must prioritize optimizing their page loading times to remain competitive. 

A fast-loading website not only enhances the user experience but also improves search engine rankings, increases conversion rates, and ultimately boosts overall business success. 

Now that you understand what website page speed is and what factors affect it, how will you ensure that your website runs properly and loading times are prompt? 

Whether you are redesigning your website, getting your website up for the first time, or simply trying to improve your website speed, LenderHomePage’s mortgage website templates offer solutions for all mortgage companies, regardless of size. 

Our templates are built with mortgage website page speed optimization at the top of mind. Instead of downloading a pesky plugin that automatically compresses your images and files as you upload them to your site, LHP’s templates have a built-in file size compressor tool to keep your site speed optimal.

Book an On-Demand Demo

Link building plays a vital role in SEO and is one of the factors Google considers when determining search rankings. While actions like improving page speed can provide an immediate impact on ranking, link building is an endeavor that focuses on enhancing your website’s authority over time.

Although it may require some patience to see tangible outcomes, each high-value backlink compounds your authority, propelling and solidifying your site’s position in top search results for your target market.

Over time, backlinks increase website visibility and lead-generation opportunities.

While directory sites are a popular and effective link-building tactic, there are more advanced strategies that offer even greater advantages. Uncover the simplest and most impactful method to obtain high-quality backlinks for your mortgage website using AI, empowering your website to enhance credibility, authority, and achieve higher rankings.

SEO-Friendly Website Templates –Demo Today!

Link-Building 101: Understanding The Basics

When you “build links” to a website, you are essentially inserting your URL on other domains, which tells search engines that your website is important, and, therefore, should be ranked higher in search results. This is one of the main link-building benefits for mortgage websites. 

However, the catch is that you can’t just add any backlinks. It has come from a site with a related niche and also has some authority of its own. More on that later.

It’s also important to note that tackling backlinks to increase your site’s visibility is best done after foundational content and technical SEO strategies have been implemented, such as: 

• SEO mortgage content with meta titles and meta descriptions (continue reading to learn how we make this easier with our AI-enabled content creator on LHP3)
• Responsive, mobile-friendly design
• Optimized site architecture
• XML site map
• Optimized page speed

Now let’s discuss best practices for link building.

Pro Tips for Effective Link Building on Mortgage Websites

There are so many complexities involved with link-building. Here are some practices you should steer away from to avoid getting penalized by search engines.

Avoid paying for links (Sort of)

Google does not like it when sites attempt to artificially enhance their ranking, and this includes buying backlinks that go to sites whose purpose is just to host backlinks. This is called link farming and is penalized by all search engines. 

However, paying a marketer or agency to attempt to secure backlinks on your behalf is allowed. But buyers, be aware! Some marketing agencies may still employ “link farming” tactics in their services. This is because building links takes time and effort. Avoid getting penalized by never buying farmed backlinks, work with a reputable marketing agency —or do it yourself with the tactics we’re about to teach you!

When guest blogging, post on sites related to your niche.

Google and other search engines quickly pick up on the type of websites linking to you. As a mortgage broker or loan officer, you may not want to post on sites about general pet care, for example. Otherwise, search engines assume your site is about pets and will not help you rank for mortgage, real estate, or location-specific keywords.

Get rid of outdated practices, such as commenting on blogs with your website link.

Simply adding your link and a sales pitch to the comment section of a popular website is a very spammy practice and does not make you or your company look good. Instead, provide engaging and thought-leadership commentary along with your website link for the best results.

Loan Officers: Try Our Game-Changing Mortgage Websites

4 Link Building Hacks for Mortgage Websites to Rule the Rankings

On the other hand, here are some practices you should opt for to improve your link-building efforts and ensure you are building links in an ethical way.

Use Web Content as Ego Bait

Ego bait is a strategy that involves creating content specifically designed to flatter or appeal to influential individuals or potential referral partners. The goal is to attract attention and generate backlinks by tapping into the “ego” or self-interest of these individuals.

Ego bait content can be in the form of an article or interview, but listings are fast and easy ways to gain traction from many individuals from just one piece of content. 

The key to successful ego bait backlinking is to create engaging content that showcases the targeted individuals in a flattering, authentic way while also providing relevant value to your business and prospects.

For example, you can create a listicle highlighting the various yoga studios in your target location, like traditional, hot, prenatal, etc, and detail the differences between them.

Another option would be to use local professionals to create content. A piece titled “Omaha Home Inspectors Answer Your Toughest Questions” is an example of a type of content that may perform well for SEO using keywords but also gives you an opportunity to create a backlink.

Reach out to the business and let them know that you’ll be featuring them on your site. Share the link and ask if they can add it to their site –creating the backlink!

They’re also likely to share it on social media, so remember to tag them on any social posts you create from the content.

When executed effectively, ego bait can not only attract valuable backlinks but also establish relationships with influential figures or brands in your industry, potentially leading to further collaboration and exposure.

Struggling to find the right words or short on time to craft captivating content? No worries, we’ve got you covered! Introducing our game-changing LHP3 website platform with its supercharged AI-enabled content creator. Simply share the topic, throw in a catchy title, and let our AI work its magic to generate an incredible first draft. It’s like having a wordsmith sidekick on demand!

All that’s left for you is a quick polish, and you’re ready to publish. Don’t let time or inspiration hold you back – unleash the power of our AI content creator.

Try Our AI Content Creator: Book a Website Demo Now!

Thought Leadership

If you have been actively searching for guest blogging opportunities, you may have come across some that are seeking experts on a specific topic. For example, there is a website called HARO, which stands for ‘Help a Reporter Out.’ You can offer your knowledge and expertise to publications to gain valuable and high-quality backlinks.

Other ways to do this are by carrying out original research, doing podcast interviews, speaking at relevant industry conferences, creating and posting infographics to your socials, etc.

Besides the backlinks, you will also benefit by better gaining your audience’s trust. Everybody wants to work with a savvy, well-spoken loan officer. Let’s also remember that high-quality content often leads to increased trust and higher rates of conversion.

Broken Link-Building

There are so many broken links on the web, and these can badly impact a website. Take some time to research sites in your industry that have broken links. The goal is to either create new content or use your existing content and encourage the webmaster of that website to replace the old content with your new content.

Before reaching out, always make sure that the content you are pitching adds value to the page and is not just there for the sake of link-building. Explain what value it will add to that page when you reach out.

Here is more information on broken link building. 

Do Directory Submissions

Directory sites are a great way to build links to your mortgage website. To get the most out of this tactic, you’ll want to create two lists: top general directories and industry-specific directories.

The general directories are those that every business should be listed in (ex. Google My Business, Yelp, Bing, etc.) plus any locale-specific directories. The niche-specific directories will be ones that are related to mortgage or real estate (ex. Zillow and MortgageBite).

When getting listed in directories, prioritize that that allows for a website URL. The ones without a URL are still good for exposure but will not help you with link-building.

Another thing to keep in mind is to ensure all of your company’s information is consistent throughout different directory sites; otherwise, this can negatively impact your SEO.

LenderHomePage: Empowering Loan Officers to Excel in the Digital Age

Unleash the power of link-building! Elevate your mortgage website’s authority and boost search rankings effortlessly with our AI-enabled mortgage content creator. Book a demo now and experience how our tools simplify the creation of quality content that attracts backlinks and builds your online presence.

Level-Up with AI -Schedule Website Demo

Getting a website online for any business is relatively easy nowadays, there are several quick and cheap options. But a website that’s also a hub of your business –central to lead nurturing, acquisition, branding, marketing, and Borrower Experience requires another level of sophistication. 

In this week’s post, we’re going to show you exactly how to create a mortgage website that meets all of these criteria, plus how you launch an attractive, professional, high-functioning mortgage website in less than five minutes. 

Best Mortgage Website Building Practices

Website Creation: Pictures and Text Are Not Enough

A quick search on launching a website will bring you over 360 million results, with the top generic website builders being Wix and Squarespace. But that’s just it –they’re generic. While the general design and launching are fast, the appearance is still bland, and its functionality is miles away from where it should be for a professional mortgage website. 

Of course, there’s much more to it. There’s also the matter of search engine optimization, content for conversion, and Borrower Experience. By the end, you’ll have the ability to decipher a generic website from a high-level mortgage website and know how to go about creating a mortgage website that supports your business needs, meets online ending industry standards, and modern consumer buying habits.

Responsive 

Responsive design is often mistaken for simply adjusting to the screen. While this may have been innovative ten years ago, modern responsive websites must also adapt their functionality. That means that items like lead capture forms, menus, videos, and any integrated 3rd-party applications must work and view properly without any effort from the user. No matter the device or operating system, the best mortgage websites are built for this level of user experience from the ground up.

Modern and Branded Mortage Design

As mentioned above, although there are plenty of clean website designs possible with generic website builders, a mortgage website that reflects modern design principles and the flexibility to brand is key to making your online business front stand out and above the rest. 

When it comes to designing, mortgage website templates from LenderHomePage offer a powerful and fast jumping-off point. With 45 attractive prebuilt mortgage designs, mortgage professionals of all sizes –from individual to multi-branch –can easily find a site that reflects their business. 

With some simple adjustments to the color scheme and the addition of your logo, both of which can be done without coding and matched your POS platform, your mortgage website will have a dynamically branded look and feel across the entire Borrower Experience.

Interactive Mortgage Tools

Online mortgage consumers crave an immersive and personalized shopping experience and interactive mortgage tools on your website are how to deliver this experience. Accurate to their location and loan program, online mortgage tools such as our mortgage calculators estimate down to the penny and move curious borrowers deeper through your lead nurturing strategy.

SEO Mortgage Copy

Search engine optimized copy is a precise craft of persuasive writing combined with researched keywords. This particular combination is aimed at helping to position your website for both a high-ranking organic search position and high conversion rates. This means that the words and the formatting must meet specific standards for search engines and consumers.

If you’d like to attempt it yourself, reach this previous article where we give a brief overview on how to DIY your mortgage SEO copy. Otherwise, we recommend taking advantage of our mortgage marketing services with professional and custom mortgage SEO content.

High-Value Content

Along the same lines as SEO copywriting is high-value mortgage content. The mortgage content can come in articles, videos, graphics, e-books, or white papers and, as expected, doesn’t come as part of any generic website design. 

While custom high-value content comes with additional costs, our mortgage website templates come with hundreds of pages of mortgage articles that can be edited as you see fit –or launch as is! Need additional help and resources? We got you covered. Our team of marketers is available for custom mortgage content and strategy development to guide how to make the best use of it on your website. 

Seamless Integration with Digital 1003 and POS

Last but not least, a mortgage website needs a seamless integration with your digital 1003 and POS. In today’s touchless environment, your mortgage website is more than an online presence –it’s also the hub of the Borrower Experience, and that includes your digital 1003 and mortgage POS platform. More than placing a simple link, integrating all the three platforms in such a way that captured leads, is branded, and is intuitively functional is vital to your competitive advantage. 

Want to see all this in action for free? Sign up for a free trial. Click here to get started –no credit card required! In only 14 days, you’ll be convinced that our mortgage website templates and support team are immensely better than what any generic website can offer. 

Start A Trial