Online shoppers face virtual queues

The majority of online shoppers have to deal with 'virtual' shop queues in the run-up to Christmas because of poor-performing websites, according to research by hosting company Fasthosts.

Over 80 per cent of shoppers surveyed said that they had found websites working slower at Christmas time.

And 42 per cent of customers have actually abandoned purchases on slow-running sites while buying their gifts, with 34 per cent then more likely to switch to a competitor's site during this period.

The poor performance ranged from slow product searches, delayed payment processes and delays in receiving email confirmations.

One in four shoppers believe that it is caused by too many seasonal offers and products being added to sites in November and December and 28 per cent of them then admit to feeling negatively towards retailers because of the stress it causes.

Customers in the North West are the least forgiving with 34 per cent of them believing their opinion of retailers are negatively impacted.

Steve Holford of Fasthosts said: "The data shows that while many firms sell successfully online, usability can take a real knock at the most crucial time of the year.

"Shoppers today are more impatient and unforgiving than ever before, and are ready to source an alternative," he continued.

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