Ben's Blog

Statistics tell us that reliable access to the web is improving. Dial up subscriptions are gradually being replaced by broadband connections, which means a faster and more seamless experience for the user.

But before we lather our websites with audio, video and other bandwidth intense items we need to understand what broadband means.

In Australia where i’m from they ABS says broadband is:

“An ‘always on’ Internet connection with an access speed equal to or greater than 256kbps.”

Obviously a connection running at 256kbps with a monthly download limit of 500mb per month is going to have a different experience than someone with 24,000kbps/20gb. However as far as the ABS is concerned these users are one and the same. We can’t expect the ABS to supply us with accurate breakdowns of the exact the speeds people are browsing but we can expect website designers to know when and how to use rich media.

I am all for rich media having a stronger presence on the Web but I do think we need to be careful how and when we use it.

We have to be mindful that:

• Many connections that are considered broadband are actually quite slow
• We can’t be sure what speeds people are browsing. It could be anywhere between 56kbs and 28,000kbs
• When you put rich media on your website it must be unobtrusive by letting the user choose if they want to see it. Eg. Don’t put a 4mb Flash or Quicktime file on your homepage
• Because you can add rich media does it mean you should? Often text will communicate the message far quicker and more effectively than video or audio.

A colleague told me that his boss wants at least 1000 videos on their website in the next 18 months. When I asked about the strategy to implement such an expensive task I was told there was none other than they wanted to support the needs of broadband users.

Obviously ABS stats will not be an accurate reflection of your website’ stats. Make sure you check your website’s stats to see how people are using your website.

Some ABS reports for further reading.