[Sigia-l] guidelines for download file size maximums?

[Eric Reiss]

I heartily concur with Lyle’s comments. In fact, last year we
mistakenly forgot to indicate file sizes for what turned out to be a
12 minute download (lowest-speed broadband). About 50% of the
potential recipients were breaking off the download within the first
two minutes (after the Microsoft time estimate had stabilized). 

After we added the size of the file next to the download button,
about the same number of downloads were initiated, but now over 90%
completed the task. Statistics also showed that people were spending
more time on the download page, which suggests they were thinking
about whether they wanted to go through with the download.

Steve Krug says, “Don’t make me think”. But I’ll add, “Don’t make me
guess.”

In general, what we see again and again is that people tend to give
up if a download takes more than about 10 minutes. There seems to be
a mental hurdle when time estimates hit double-digits. The actual
size of the file will depend on whether your target group has
broadband access or not. Also, as you rightly note, the greater the
interest/need for the download, the more apt people are to wait it
out.

There are exceptions, though. If you want to download the latest AOL
browser for your Mac, using a dial-up connection, the process takes
about 6 hours. I have yet to meet someone who has actually succeeded
in completing such a download.

Hope this helps.

Eric Reiss

principal
e-reiss aps
copenhagen, denmark