Are Page Load Times Still Important?

[Lee]

With the gradual transition of websites going more towards the web 2.0 standard, im wondering if page load times are actually as important today as they used to be, especially as more and more internet surfers are browsing the web on higher speeds than dialup like they used to.

Do you folks think that load times when it comes to our web pages is as important today as they used to be?

Regards,

Lee

[gaystoryman]

As important? I don't think so, but still important. People get turned off still by waiting for a page to load. So in my view, it is still relevant, but the time has crept upwards. No more 10 seconds or less and I think that the further into a site, the more patient a surfer will be. I still think that the limits are maybe 20 seconds now for a main page, a beginning page that is, while it has crept upwards for other pages.

Studies still say, you have only so many seconds to make the surfer interested enough to go further, so I think its still essential to keep those opening pages quick.

I'd also say that as more secondary pages show up in the Searches, that the surfer is becoming accepting of longer load times.

my pennies worth :kickcan:

[Fister]

I think page load time is less an issue than it used to be; however, there are still plenty of potential paying customers who have a slow line speed. So faster page loads are still a plus.

[Xstr8guy]

Load times are only important if you want the dialup surfer... or if you've capped-out your server and your high-speed visitors are suffering too.

[wnc]

Dial up should still be considered. There are some programs that have elder members... some use WEBTV. With customer service, you will retain these types for years.

[Bec]

I still think it's important to keep your file sizes reasonable. I'm seeing a lot of blog owners using the hi res images and it really slows down the load time... and if they'd just adjust the psi down to 72 off from the 99 or whatever, it'd be just as nice a pic and a more user friendly site.