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Obtaining a Page-Load Performance Profile

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 with SP1

To obtain an accurate picture of a Web pages performance during normal use, you must obtain page-load performance data for the second access to a Web page as well as the first access. The first-access load time is usually much longer in duration than second-access load times. When a first-time user visits a Web page, the user's computer does not hold cached files from previous visits; hence, the user's browser must load all the files that are a part of the Web page. The procedure for measuring a Web page's first-access load time differs slightly from the procedure for measuring second-access load times.

For information about measuring first-access and second-access page-load times for a Web page, see Measuring Load Time for a Web Page.

After you complete your own page-load performance profiles, perform a page-load test against your competitor's sites, compare the results with your own performance data, and ask:

  • Which site is faster?

  • Does speed contribute to ratings?

  • Which sites will users choose to come back to?