My personal website loaded very slowly first time only

[Valerian]

Hello, I have just started building my new website which has different photos as backgrounds to each page. Last night I uploaded the first three pages (lots to do yet!) but was disappointed when I checked out the site and found the backgrounds were ever so slow to load. This morning I checked again and it was fast. We have two other computers in the household and they also downloaded pages slowly first time, then after that it was speedy even when the computers had been turned off to clear the RAM. No cookies were installed. I need to know why this happening as I do not want people to be deterred from using my site because of slow downloads. I checked with a diagnostic site: http://www.websiteoptimization.com/services/analyze/ and it reported all was well.

I am now using Serif Webplus X2 software (my old site was with FrontPage) and my website, which currently has only three trial unfinished pages, is at http://www.valerian.me.uk

I wanted my site to look artistic and creative, but I may have to choose simpler backgrounds or just the one photo on all pages. Explanations or comments as to speed changes in download would be very much appreciated.

[gareth5506]

When you check the site the next time you need to delete the history and temporary internet files too as the browser is getting the website from you PC and not the website itself. That is why it is quicker the 2nd time you look at it.

As well as using a photo for your background, I would also use a background colour (such as a light blue in your case) so that it looks better while your background is loading.

Hope this helps,

Gareth
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[Sandhound]

G'day Valerian.

Your front page image is much large at 2134k, try and get it to about 200k then it will load a lot faster.

[Valerian]

Thank you Gareth and Sandhound for taking time on this Sunday afternoon to come to my aid.

It was so obvious about the history and temporary files when I thought about it! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] So pleased it was pointed out, thanks. Also, Gareth, the pale blue background works well. I hadn't thought about doing that. Don't think I have quite got out of FrontPage mentality yet. I can put the photo on top and a text box over it.

You are quite right about the size of home page, Sandhound. I have slightly reduced the page size, cropped the picture to fit and low and behold the estimated download time has been reduced to 2 seconds according to the Serif software. Not that I necessarily believe that, but it is a fantastic reduction. It will allow me to put more material onto my website without going over my hosting agency's disk space. I can now get on creating the site as I would like it so I am thrilled to bits. A huge thanks to both of you.
Valerie [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[gareth5506]

That's ok, glad we could be of service [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I do web design in my spare time and have done sites for businesses, so if you need any further help, feel free to ask.

Gareth
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[Valerian]

Thanks, Gareth, I shall keep you in mind!
Valerie