Time to First Byte (TTFB)

Time to First Byte (TTFB)

Time to First Byte measures how long the browser waits after requesting a page before it receives the very first piece of data back from your server. It is the starting gun for everything else that loads afterwards.

A slow TTFB delays the whole page, so it is one of the first things we examine when a site feels sluggish.

Why TTFB Sets the Pace

Because nothing else can begin until the first byte arrives, TTFB acts as a floor for every other speed metric. Shaving time here benefits the entire loading sequence that follows.

• It delays when the browser can start rendering.
• It pushes back every downstream metric, including LCP.
• A high figure usually points to the server, not the design.
• Fixing it often gives a broad, sitewide improvement.

How We Investigate a Slow TTFB

Because TTFB sits at the very start of the loading process, a high figure points to the server or the infrastructure rather than the front-end. We work through the likely causes in order to find where the time is being lost.

1. Measure TTFB from several locations to see if distance is a factor.
2. Check whether caching is in place and actually being used.
3. Profile the back-end to find slow code and database queries.
4. Review the hosting plan against the site's real demands.

What Affects TTFB

• Hosting quality and how much load the server is under.
• Slow database queries or unoptimised back-end code.
• Distance between the visitor and the server.
• Lack of caching, so every request is rebuilt from scratch.

How We Reduce It

1. Cache fully rendered pages so the server replies instantly.
2. Optimise the database and the slowest queries.
3. Use a content delivery network to serve visitors from a nearby location.
4. Move to faster hosting where the current plan is the bottleneck.

If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.