Time for first page to download...

[Dariusz]

In anyones opinion, is 35 seconds to first page complete download on a 56k
analogue modem too long (page uses SSI's too)? After that most all (96%)
of graphics are then cached. It's for a design I am working on.

Being on DSL it's hard to access what a modem user would "see".

Dariusz

 

[Chris Morris]

In anyones opinion, is 35 seconds to first page complete download on a 56k
analogue modem too long

Research suggests you lose half your visitors every 10 seconds, which
would give you only about 1 in 12 left. Probably too long.

*However*, if the text content loads fast, and the site is usable
before the images load in, it's not so bad - make sure you specify
width and height on all images, for a start. Can you post a URL for
the design?

(page uses SSI's too)?

Not relevant to this.

After that most all (96%)
of graphics are then cached. It's for a design I am working on.

Okay.

 

[PeterMcC]

In anyones opinion, is 35 seconds to first page complete download on
a 56k analogue modem too long (page uses SSI's too)? After that most
all (96%) of graphics are then cached. It's for a design I am
working on.

There was a survey a couple of years ago that gave the following for
download times/percentage leaving:
After 10 seconds wait, 16% have left
After 15 seconds wait, 49% have left
After 20 seconds wait, 74% have left
After 30 seconds wait, 95% have left.

Although the survey is a couple of years old, I suspect that visitors
haven't developed significantly greater patience in the meantime.

 

[EightNineThree]

In anyones opinion, is 35 seconds to first page complete download on a 56k
analogue modem too long (page uses SSI's too)? After that most all (96%)
of graphics are then cached. It's for a design I am working on.

Being on DSL it's hard to access what a modem user would "see".

If you have to ask, then the answer is "yes".

Usability studies show that the optimum wait time is 8 seconds, with 12-15
seconds being a notable breaking point at which users begin clicking away.
Some masochists will stick around into the 20s, but 35 is insane.

 

[Dariusz]

There was a survey a couple of years ago that gave the following for
download times/percentage leaving:
After 10 seconds wait, 16% have left
After 15 seconds wait, 49% have left
After 20 seconds wait, 74% have left
After 30 seconds wait, 95% have left.

Thanks for that.

From what you write I was too damn patient with the likes of Micro$oft and
their like websites...

There was some insurance company I went to get a quote from online (when
on dialup), and it took 2 or 3 minutes to get from one page to another.
Wasn't worth the wait !!!

Dariusz