Bandwidth is a widely pressing issue
The emergence of Internet was, and still is a fascinating thing to happen in technology firmament. The ease and the comforts of connecting to people, defying geographical boundaries, and getting a global audience for businesses were unparalleled -- first of its kind ever. So wonderful a thing has, unfortunately, got its share of woes -- the connection speed.
The bandwidth of Internet connectivity was considerable at the time when it was entirely new to the world. The newness of the medium did not let it know to the excited lots of users and beneficiaries. Gradually, when people wished for more speed, they earnestly expected that things will turn favorable in the times ahead.
Quite sadly, nothing desired came out. Hopes floundered. Expectations shattered. People chased a dream which still does not seem to materialize fully. Murphy’s Law, which advocates better developments in computer technologies on a fast pace, fell flat when it came to better connection speeds.
There was indeed some positive development: select companies did go for upgraded modems and faster connections. But all this is negligible when the very, very vast majority of users is taken into account, who still now, inevitably use quite low end modems.
Is low bandwidth good for design?
A big majority of web designers relish in the bliss of low bandwidth.
They undoubtedly subscribe to the belief that low speed helps them design web sites nicely and there is nothing, nothing to worry about. Why would they at all need to panic when they are able to design with grace?
However, the thing to note here is that low speed can be in part relied on for good design, but not for good usability. Ultimately, what matters is how you engage your audience and further your business interests.
Slow connection apart, act fast to embrace simplicity
There is no denying the fact that when it comes to optimal usability of your web site, simplicity is the best virtue and, therefore, the best adherence. Howsoever good you design your web site being helped by low bandwidth, it can fail your business objectives if users do not find it easy and convenient to use.
By simplicity what I mean is: Web design should not be any weird manifestation of your personal design prowess, making it hard on users to appreciate, and even harder to use. Rather, simple and intuitive design backed by equally simple navigability, with fewer graphics and animations, is what your creative spirit and unfading enthusiasm should be directed to.
No nasty edges. No sporadic layouts. No color clutter. No design chaos. No user’s mess.
You need to realize the fact that people in an awful number are in apparent mess to use low end modems and thus cannot enjoy a faster connection. Animations, videos, graphics, or other such audio/video embellishments without a properly assessed reason can take ages to load. High download time is nothing but terribly traumatizing for the user. Why torment the users if you seriously wish to remain in the business? Think a little and probably you will get an answer.
Look at your competition and strategize your web design
Users are but to use slow connection speeds – for your web site and your competitors’ too. Therefore, the web site should ideally be designed in such a way that all the features and functionalities are easily accessible and usable at low modems.
Strategy is not something entirely applicable to chart out the direction of a corporation. Your web design has to be strategized as well if you wish to serve your target audience in business friendly manner.
When it comes to strategy making, you cannot ignore what your competitors are up to in order to target the common audience. Have a sharp look as to how they have designed their web dealing with issues of low connection speeds. Strategy does not mean emulating your competitor’s move, but it entails studying the underlying finer nuances so that you can distinctly position yourself at your advantage.
In conclusion
Before you go on ahead with a strategic move, make it a point to see complete file size and download time of your web pages. Proceed with the same exercise, but this time around for your key competitors’ web pages. You can do so by typing in the URLs, your and your competitors’, in the designated space in the likes of web sites, Dr. HTML or Web Site Garage.
Compare and contrast the results so obtained. You can see by yourself the higher and lower limits of file size and download time that serve the target audience optimally.
Consequently, you can strategize the use of file size and download time – something which in harmony with low bandwidth and in harmony with the health of your business.