Between November and February, Damar Group collected a survey of Internet users' preferences regarding the World Wide Web. Over 500 surveys were collected, and we were surprised at some of the results.

The bottom line, we found that the survey respondents are more patient than we imagined.

We asked eight simple questions:

1. What is your computer's operating system?
2. What is your most common web browser?
3. Can you view tables in your browser?
4. Can you view frames in your browser?
5. Do you typically view webpages with graphic image display on or off?
6. How many seconds will you typically wait for a page to load before you "skip it" and move on to another page?
7. What is your connection speed?
8. Describe the type of information you most commonly prefer to read or receive online.

The first seven questions were multiple choice, and the final question asked for a short answer.

Here's what we found that's of general interest:

Question 1) What is your current operating system?
1. Windows 95 (80%)
2. Windows 3.x (14%)
3. Mac OS (7%)
4. Windows NT (2%)

Question 2) What web browser do you use?
1. Netscape Navigator 3.x (70%)
2. MS Internet Explorer 3.x (22%)
3. Netscape Navigator 2.x (7%)

Question 5) Do you surf with graphics on or off?
1. On (91%)
2. Off (9%)

Question 6) How long are you willing to wait for a page to load before clicking on a new URL?
1. >30 seconds (23%)
2. 30 seconds (23%)
3. 15 seconds (20%)
4. 10 seconds (14%)
5. 5 seconds (9%)

Question 7) What is your Internet access speed?
1. Modem 28.8 Kilobits per second (45%)
2. Modem 33.6 Kbps (20%)
3. Modem 14.4 Kbps (14%)
4. T1 1.4 Megabits per second (14%)
5. >T1 1.4 Mbps (2%)
6. Modem 9,600 bps (2%)

The big shocker to us was how long respondents are willing to wait for an Internet webpage to display on their computer screen. We expected that the average duration would be 7 to 10 seconds. What we found is that almost half of all respondents are willing to wait 30 seconds or longer!

This is great news for Internet website developers and advertisers because most online advertising is in the form of eye-catching graphic "banner" images. The banner ads encourage viewers to click on the image to request additional information about the advertised product or service.

The problem, as we previously thought was the delay in receiving the graphic banner ads. Graphic images are larger than plain text (in computer file size), and the larger the file, the longer takes to be received through a modem, the most common Internet connection device (see question #7).

If you're considering advertising your product or service on the Internet, the results of this survey are important to your implementation plan. This survey indicates that you can use graphic images because most people are willing to wait to receive information.

If you're a website content developer, good news – you can put your expertise to work making great-looking pages!

David Stephen Murphy is President and CEO of Damar Group, Ltd. which presents computer training classes, publishes computer learning guides, and helps organizations do business on the Internet. The website is http://dgl.com. Mr. Murphy's Internet experiences have been reported in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newswee, and other national publications as well as local print, radio, and television news sources. Mr. Murphy may be reached at dave@dgl.com or 410.567.5366.

updated February 25, 1996
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