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Server statistics can also provide you with evidence of slow load times. Are users spending a lot of time on entry pages, but not visiting internal pages? Either you have poor content or a loading problem.
Finally, you can also use diagnostic programs to test load times. Typically, programs will kick out estimated load times for dial-up, DSL and T1 connections. Make sure you test your home page and internal pages. Diagnostic programs are excellent tools, but don’t get lazy. Make sure you physically watch your site load on a dial-up connection. The experience will prove invaluable to improving your site and conversion rates.
Improving Performance
The steps needed to improve performance of your site often depend on nature of site. A database driven site will have different issue than a graphic intense site. There are, however, universal factors that can be checked:
1. Graphics: Typically, browsers have to make a connection for each image on a page. The more you have, longer load time. Limiting number and size of graphics can help.
2. Tables: If you use tables, try to break them up into smaller modules. Large tables can negatively impact load times.
3. Multimedia: If it flashes, explodes, spins or blinks, consider ditching it. Yes, it looks great, but is it worth 45% of your audience?
4. Size: Scrutinize size of your pages. The bigger page, slower load times. It shouldn’t be a problem if page is comprised of text, but large pages with lots of code will load slowly.
Cheer up if you have a speed problem! Yes, you’ve lost a lot of business, but now you can fix it. Most of your competitors will never figure it out. That puts you ahead of game.
Halstatt Pires is with Marketing Titan- an Internet marketing and advertising company comprised of a search engine optimization specialist providing meta tag optimization services and Internet marketing consultant providing internet marketing solutions through integrated design and programming services.