Table of Contents
When managing a multilingual website, ensuring a smooth user experience can be challenging, especially when dealing with different language scripts such as Latin, Cyrillic, Arabic, or Chinese. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) is a Core Web Vital that measures visual stability, and optimizing it is crucial for retaining visitors and improving SEO.
Understanding CLS in Multilingual Contexts
CLS occurs when elements on a webpage move unexpectedly during loading. For multilingual sites, this can happen due to varying font sizes, loading times, or layout shifts caused by different scripts. For example, a Chinese character may require more space than a Latin character, leading to layout shifts if not handled properly.
Strategies to Improve CLS for Multilingual Websites
- Specify Font Sizes and Styles: Use CSS to define explicit font sizes for all scripts to prevent layout shifts.
- Use Web Fonts Wisely: Load fonts asynchronously and include fallback fonts to ensure text appears immediately.
- Optimize Font Loading: Preload critical fonts using
link rel="preload"in the<head>section. - Set Size Attributes for Media: Always specify width and height for images and videos, especially for icons or flags representing languages.
- Implement Language Attributes: Use the
langattribute in HTML to help browsers render text correctly and avoid shifts. - Use CSS for Layout Stability: Employ CSS Grid or Flexbox to create stable layouts that adapt well to different scripts.
Additional Tips
Test your website across different languages and scripts regularly. Use tools like Google Lighthouse or WebPageTest to identify and fix CLS issues specific to multilingual content. Maintaining consistent layout practices and optimizing font loading are key to providing a stable and accessible multilingual user experience.