{"id":3021,"date":"2026-04-15T06:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T05:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/?p=3021"},"modified":"2026-04-13T16:17:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T15:17:23","slug":"the-futility-of-chasing-a-perfect-100-in-google-lighthouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/2026\/04\/the-futility-of-chasing-a-perfect-100-in-google-lighthouse\/","title":{"rendered":"The Futility of Chasing a Perfect 100 in Google Lighthouse"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 7<\/span> minutes : <\/span><\/span>

Should you Chase a Perfect 100 in Google Lighthouse?<\/h1>\n

This article is as non-technical as it can be.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever run your website through Google Lighthouse and seen a score that isn\u2019t 100, chances are you\u2019ve felt that little itch to \u201cfix it.\u201d Maybe you\u2019ve even spent hours tweaking things, chasing that perfect score like it\u2019s some kind of gold medal. But here\u2019s the honest truth: for most small business owners, trying to get 100 in Lighthouse is a poor use of your time.<\/p>\n

That might sound a bit bold, especially when everyone talks about optimisation, speed, and performance. But once you understand what Lighthouse is actually telling you \u2013 and more importantly, what it isn\u2019t<\/em> telling you \u2013 things start to make a lot more sense.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll walk through where to find Lighthouse, what the scores really mean, and why there\u2019s a clear point where improving your score simply isn\u2019t worth the effort. We\u2019ll also talk about what actually matters for your business: getting visitors, keeping them engaged, and turning them into customers.<\/p>\n

Where to Find Lighthouse in Google Chrome<\/h2>\n

Before we get into why chasing 100 isn\u2019t worth it, let\u2019s quickly cover where you can actually find Lighthouse. The good news is you don\u2019t need to install anything extra \u2013 it\u2019s already built into the Chrome browser.<\/p>\n

To access it, open your website in Google Chrome. Then right-click anywhere on the page and click Inspect<\/em>. This opens up the developer tools panel, which might look a bit intimidating at first, but don\u2019t worry \u2013 we\u2019re keeping things simple.<\/p>\n

Along the top of that panel, you\u2019ll see a row of tabs like \u201cElements,\u201d \u201cConsole,\u201d and \u201cNetwork.\u201d Somewhere along that line (you might need to click the little arrows if it\u2019s hidden), you\u2019ll find a tab called Lighthouse<\/strong>. Click on it.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Illustration of where the Lighthosue tool is (2nd from the right) on the inspect section on Chrome<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From there, you can choose what type of report you want. For most small business owners, the default options are fine. You can tick things like Performance, Accessibility, Best Practices, and SEO. Then click Analyse page load<\/em> and let it do its thing.<\/p>\n

After a short wait, you\u2019ll get a report with scores out of 100 for each category. Green is good, orange is okay, and red means there\u2019s room for improvement.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth saying here: this tool is helpful. It can highlight real issues, especially if your site is very slow or missing key basics. But it\u2019s not the final word on how good your website is. It\u2019s just one tool \u2013 and like any tool, it has limits.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re exploring tools like this, you might also find it helpful to look at other resources like SEO tools for small businesses<\/a>, which gives a broader view of what\u2019s available beyond Lighthouse.<\/p>\n

What Lighthouse Gets Right (and Why It\u2019s Still Useful)<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s be fair to Lighthouse for a moment \u2013 it does a lot of things well. If the page you are checking on your website is slow, clunky, or missing basic optimisation, Lighthouse can point you in the right direction.<\/p>\n

For example, it might flag that your images are too large, your scripts are slowing things down, or your pages take too long to load. These are all valid issues. If your site takes ages to load, visitors will leave. That\u2019s not just bad for user experience \u2013 it can affect your search rankings too.<\/p>\n

Lighthouse also highlights accessibility issues, like poor contrast or missing labels. Fixing these can make your site easier to use for everyone, which is always a good thing.<\/p>\n

And when it comes to SEO, Lighthouse checks for basics like meta tags, mobile friendliness, and proper structure. These are the foundations of a solid website.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re just starting out, or your website hasn\u2019t been reviewed in a while, Lighthouse can act as a kind of checklist for each page. It helps you spot obvious problems that might otherwise go unnoticed.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the key point: Lighthouse is very good at spotting problems, but it doesn\u2019t always understand context.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t know your business goals. It doesn\u2019t know your audience. It doesn\u2019t know whether a tiny improvement in load time will actually make any difference to your sales.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where things start to get a bit more complicated \u2013 and where the idea of chasing a perfect score begins to fall apart.<\/p>\n

If you want a broader, more practical understanding of SEO beyond automated tools, it\u2019s worth reading something like basic SEO tips for small businesses<\/a>, which focuses on real-world results rather than just scores.<\/p>\n

The Law of Diminishing Returns in Website Optimisation<\/h2>\n

Now we get to the heart of the issue: the law of diminishing returns<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In simple terms, this means that the more effort you put into something, the less benefit you get back over time. And this applies perfectly to Lighthouse scores.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Example of a clients’ home page scores for Lighthouse performance and SEO ranklings. Client’s details have been removed from the screen for privacy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going from a score of 40 to 70? That can make a big difference. Your site becomes faster, more usable, and more appealing to visitors.<\/p>\n

Going from 70 to 90? Still worthwhile in many cases. You\u2019re refining things, smoothing out rough edges, and improving overall quality.<\/p>\n

But going from 90 to 100? That\u2019s where things get tricky.<\/p>\n

Those last few points often require a disproportionate amount of time and effort. You might be tweaking tiny bits of code, delaying scripts, or removing features that actually add value to your site \u2013 all for the sake of a number.<\/p>\n

In some cases, you might even make your site worse for real users just to satisfy Lighthouse. For example, delaying important scripts might improve your score, but it could also break functionality or make your site feel sluggish in other ways.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s the uncomfortable truth: your customers don\u2019t care about your Lighthouse score.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They care about whether your site loads quickly enough, whether it\u2019s easy to use, and whether it gives them what they need.<\/p>\n

A site that scores 85 but converts well is far more valuable than a site that scores 100 but confuses visitors or lacks key features.<\/p>\n

This is why it\u2019s important to focus on outcomes, not just metrics. Tools like Lighthouse are there to guide you, not to dictate your priorities.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re interested in how different factors influence your visibility, you might also want to read how website design affects SEO<\/a>, which looks at the bigger picture.<\/p>\n

Why \u201cGreen is Good Enough\u201d for Most Small Businesses<\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s a simple rule of thumb: if your Lighthouse scores are in the green, you\u2019re probably doing okay.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Green means your site meets a solid standard. It\u2019s not perfect, but it\u2019s performing well enough for most users and search engines.<\/p>\n

And for a small business, that\u2019s exactly where you want to be.<\/p>\n

Think about it this way. Your time and budget are limited. Every hour you spend tweaking tiny performance issues is an hour you\u2019re not spending on marketing, customer service, or improving your products.<\/p>\n

So the real question becomes: where is your time best spent?<\/p>\n

For most businesses, the answer isn\u2019t \u201cgetting from 92 to 100 on Lighthouse.\u201d It\u2019s things like writing better content, improving your offers, or building relationships with customers.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also the fact that Lighthouse scores can vary. Run the same test twice and you might get slightly different results. That alone should tell you that it\u2019s not an exact science.<\/p>\n

What matters more is consistency. Is your site generally fast? Does it work well on mobile? Can users find what they need quickly?<\/p>\n

If the answer is yes, then you\u2019re in a good place.<\/p>\n

For a more rounded approach to improving your website\u2019s visibility, take a look at what is SEO and how does it work<\/a>. It explains the fundamentals in plain English and helps you focus on what actually drives results.<\/p>\n

What You Should Focus on Instead<\/h2>\n

If chasing 100 isn\u2019t the goal, what should you focus on instead?<\/p>\n

The answer is surprisingly simple: your users and your business goals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Start with your customers. What do they want when they visit your site? Are they looking for information, products, or a way to contact you?<\/p>\n

Make sure your site delivers that quickly and clearly. That means simple navigation<\/a>, clear messaging, and pages that load fast enough to keep people engaged.<\/p>\n

Next, think about content. Good content does far more for your business than a perfect Lighthouse score ever will. It helps people find you, builds trust, and encourages them to take action.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s usability<\/a>. Can someone use your site easily on their phone? Can they complete a purchase or enquiry without frustration?<\/p>\n

These are the things that actually impact your bottom line.<\/p>\n

Of course, performance still matters. You don\u2019t want a slow, broken site. But once you\u2019ve reached a decent level \u2013 usually reflected by those green scores \u2013 it\u2019s time to shift your focus.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth exploring broader strategies, like those covered in on-page SEO checklists<\/a>, which give you practical steps that go beyond technical tweaks.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, your website is a tool for your business. It\u2019s not a competition to see who can get the highest score in a testing tool.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts: Don\u2019t Let a Number Dictate Your Strategy<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s easy to get caught up in numbers. Scores feel objective, clear, and measurable. But they don\u2019t always tell the full story.<\/p>\n

Lighthouse is a useful tool, and it can help you spot genuine issues. But it\u2019s not the ultimate judge of your website\u2019s success.<\/p>\n

Chasing a perfect 100 often leads to wasted time, unnecessary changes, and a focus on the wrong priorities. Meanwhile, the things that actually matter \u2013 like content, usability, and customer experience \u2013 can get overlooked.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Lighthouse score for the BBC Home page a couple of days ago<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So by all means, use Lighthouse. Fix the obvious problems. Aim for green scores.<\/p>\n

But once you\u2019re there, give yourself permission to stop.<\/p>\n

Your goal isn\u2019t to impress a tool. It\u2019s to build a website that works for your business and your customers.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s something no single score can measure.<\/p>\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n

John K Mitchell<\/strong> has been optimising websites for search engines since 1997, which was before Google even existed. With a strong programming background, he quickly realised he could analyse search results and begin to understand \u2013 or at least make educated guesses about \u2013 why certain websites ranked where they did.<\/p>\n

Since then, John has worked on thousands of websites across a wide range of industries. His practical, results-driven approach has helped businesses achieve strong visibility online, often securing high rankings in competitive markets.<\/p>\n

He currently (measured over the last month) has a track record of over 1600 first-place rankings and nearly 3,700 results in the top five positions in Google for his clients. His focus has always been on what works in the real world, rather than chasing trends or relying solely on automated tools.<\/p>\n

At the moment, John is not taking on any new clients so this is not a marketing post in any way.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reading Time: <\/span> 7<\/span> minutes : <\/span><\/span>Should you Chase a Perfect 100 in Google Lighthouse? This article is as non-technical as it can be. If you\u2019ve ever run your website through Google Lighthouse and seen a score that isn\u2019t 100, chances are you\u2019ve felt that little itch to \u201cfix it.\u201d Maybe you\u2019ve even spent hours tweaking things, chasing that perfect score […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,10,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-advice","category-marketing-2","category-seo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3021"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3021\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3028,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3021\/revisions\/3028"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}