Lighthouse is an open-source, automated tool developed by Google that helps you audit and improve the quality of your web pages. It's built directly into Chrome DevTools and can also be run from the command line or as a Node module. Lighthouse analyzes web pages across several key areas and generates a detailed report with actionable recommendations.

The tool evaluates websites based on five core categories:

• Performance: Measures how quickly the page loads and becomes interactive.
• Accessibility: Checks if the site is usable by people with disabilities.
• Best Practices: Looks for modern web development standards and security.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Assesses how well the page is optimized for search engines.
• Progressive Web App (PWA): Checks if the site meets PWA criteria for a native app-like experience.

Each audit provides a score from 0 to 100 and includes specific suggestions for improvement. For example, it might recommend optimizing images, eliminating render-blocking resources, or adding proper ARIA labels for better accessibility.

Using Lighthouse is crucial for web hosting customers because it directly impacts user experience and search rankings. A fast, accessible, and well-optimized site retains visitors longer and ranks higher in Google search results. Regularly running Lighthouse audits helps you maintain a high-quality website, ensuring your hosting resources are used effectively to deliver the best possible experience to your visitors.