Survey shows cost of web site failings

Internet users have little patience with web sites that do not perform well, according to a survey conducted by web communications provider Empirex.

According to the research, nine out of 10 users would give up on a transaction if it failed three times, and one third would never considering using that site again. Although the option to take transactions offline is often available on web sites just one percent said that they would consider using this alternative if the web site had previously let them down.

As many as 20 percent said that a previous bad experience with a company web site meant they never dealt with that firm again, online or offline.

Almost half of respondents said they came across sites with problematic applications up to four times a week. An additional 22 percent said that they had seen problems on a daily basis.

Ninety-two percent of respondents said they shopped online, and about a third of these claimed to spend at least £50 a month.