Time To First Byte (TTFB) refers to the time it takes for a user's browser to receive the first byte of data from a web server after making a request. It is a measure of the server's responsiveness and is typically considered as an important metric in website or application performance.
TTFB includes the time taken by the server to process the request, generate the response, and transmit it over the network to the client's browser. It does not include the time taken to fully load the entire webpage or the client-side rendering time.
A low TTFB indicates a fast server response time, while a high TTFB can result in delays in displaying the content to the user. It can be affected by various factors, including server processing power, network latency, server load, and the efficiency of the website's code and database.
Reducing TTFB can be crucial for improving website performance, as it can contribute to a better user experience, improved SEO rankings, and increased conversion rates. Strategies to reduce TTFB may include optimizing server configurations, employing caching techniques, minimizing the use of external resources, and optimizing database queries.