Key takeaways
- Browser-based testing tools assess performance in a specific browser
- User monitoring tools collect performance data from actual visitors in real-time
- Waterfall analysis shows which files slow pages down
- Mobile tools test website performance on mobile devices and networks
In 1993 and later in 2010, Jakob Nielsen came to several interesting conclusions about the perceived passage of time. People need a mere 0.1 seconds to grow the illusion of an instant response. Their thought flow remains unperturbed after one second.
They can still focus after 10 seconds, but doing so is difficult.
Finally, their minds wander after 10 seconds, and when a page finally loads, getting back on track is almost impossible.
In addition to the above, you might suspect that your page load speeds are slower than your provider claims. It's not uncommon for users to detect a discrepancy between their true load speeds and what their web hosting plans state. Here are a few key tools to test the actual speed.
Browser-based testing
These tools use browsers like Chrome or Firefox to test a page's load time. They work by entering a URL and then testing the performance in a specific browser. You can switch between desktop and mobile views to mimic user behavior.
User monitoring
User monitoring tools collect performance data from actual website visitors in real time. They work when you add a small JavaScript snippet they provide to your website. The snippet tracks and reports metrics such as time-to-first-byte (TTFB), first contentful paint (FCP), and total page load time.
Synthetic monitoring
SM simulates a user visiting your website to test page load speeds under specific conditions like location, browser type, or internet speed. You must enter your URL into the tool and configure parameters, such as testing from specific devices or locations, then analyze the load time breakdown provided.
Waterfall analysis
WA provides a detailed breakdown of CSS, HTML, images, JavaScript, and other resources the page loads, showing which files slow it down. It generates a waterfall chart, which may reveal large files or block scripts that delay the page's critical rendering path.
Mobile testing
Mobile performance tools test websites on various mobile devices and networks, including 5G. You choose a mobile device profile or network condition, and the tool provides usability scores, mobile-first speed index, and other metrics.
Open-source testing
OS testing tools offer customizable frameworks for load testing and analyzing server performance. You install the tool on the server or local environment, configure test scripts for your specific needs, and run performance tests.
Be proactive
Be proactive when you detect critically low load speeds. Researchers explored a database of 100 million page views across 20 business-to-consumer and business-to-business websites over a month and found that a website's conversion rate is 2.5-3 times higher when the load time is one second compared to five seconds.
The internet changes and webpages develop and grow, but user expectations never change. The numbers on response times and perception have been consistent for almost five decades. These numbers are consistent regardless of the app, device, or connection people use. Your short-term memory can store information for a maximum of 15 seconds, which is just enough time for it to be processed by your working memory. The target is to bring the perceived page load speed down to 100 milliseconds in order to provide the working and short-term memory with enough time to retain information.
FAQ
What's the best load speed for a desktop resp. mobile site?Â
As of 2023, the average website load time was 8.6 seconds on mobile and 2.5 seconds on desktop. This data was revealed in a report that analyzed more than four billion website visits.
What should you do if you find your pages load more slowly than your host says?
Take immediate measures, especially if you have an online store. 40% of prospective buyers will abandon a webpage if it takes more than three seconds to load. Share your findings with your host, including metrics and tests you've conducted, and ask for their help in addressing the problem—request optimizations like enabling HTTP/3, reducing server-side processes, or adjusting caching policies.
You may also like to read:
Don’t be a Slowpoke: Know-how of Improving Website Speed
Design that Sells: How to Optimize Your Website for Easy Viewing of Technology Content
