Supportsoft Glossary

Measuring Speed and Efficiency of Systems

The performance of a digital product or service is an indication of how well the system is able to perform in a real-world environment, not just by means of sheer processing power but also by the way in which users are able to experience a website, application or backend service as it relates to smoothness, responsiveness and reliability.

In order to maintain performance at a high level, there are several different elements that can have an impact on performance, including the amount of traffic that the server has at any given time, the quality and efficiency of the software, the quality of the database, the types of network connections, and the way that the application is architected and designed. There are a variety of tools available to help teams identify performance bottlenecks, such as load-test tools, performance-monitoring dashboards, and performance-analysis data.

Strong performance will provide benefits to a business, such as increased engagement with the target audience, decreased bounce rates, improved search engine optimisation, and greater satisfaction of customers using their digital products. Conversely, if a digital product operates slowly or is not consistent in its operation, this will ultimately diminish the user's level of confidence in the product and they may leave the website or application. The best way to ensure continued high performance of a digital product is to monitor the performance continually as traffic patterns, user behaviour, technology standards, and user-system interaction continually change. In short, performance is an essential indicator of the overall health of a digital product and the user experience.