What is the largest acceptable download time?

[Jeremy]

Is there a recommended maximum for size of web pages? Mine are all between
20-75k and download at 56k within 60 seconds (according to the FP2003 slow
page timer). They download quite zippily on broadband.

Should I be splitting up some of my larger pages to make them load quicker
on dial-up connections?

Sorry I can't post my URL: my site is password protected until mid-November
when it goes live.

Thanks, J.

 

[E. T. Culling]

You're just fine right now.
ETC

 

[Ronx]

I would make the Home page download and render in less than 15-20 seconds,
other pages have more leeway.
I consider a 30 seconds download (equivalent to a 120K page, including
images etc. is a long time, but it does depend on what is being displayed.

 

[Kevin Spencer]

There is no recommended maximum size. However, the issue here is that some
people will run out of patience if the pages seem to load too slowly. So,
the real problem is, how many people will go away because of the size of
your pages? You'll find that the number of walkaways will increase as the
size of the pages increase. So, you really need to take a look at your
intended audience, what the average personality type of the audience is,
what the average hardware/software combo your intended audience uses, and
what they come to your site for. If, for example, you are an artist,
advertising your art, you may legitimately have a lot of images, which your
audience would find acceptable. If, on the other hand, you have a site of
much text information, your audience might perfer to have the information
load quickly.

So, only you can really answer your question. I hope I've helped you to make
that determination in some way.

--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
..Net Developer
Microsoft MVP
I get paid good money to
solve puzzles for a living

 

[David Baxter]

My general rule of thumb is that the page should load at 30 seconds
MAXIMUM on a 28.8 connection. If it's any bigger than that, consider
breaking it up into smaller pages, or reducing the number or size of
images, or using links from thumbnails, etc.

There are times that "rule" needs to be broken but I try not to whenever
possible...