BIOS: Technology Means Business

According to a report published today by the Social Issues Research Centre and commissioned by Rackspace Managed Hosting, there are five key IT flaws in the way Web sites are designed and hosted that may lead to harmful health effects.

The study combined data from a YouGov poll of 2500 people with physiological tests on a separate sample of Internet users, who were asked to find information from a number of different Web sites.

The tests measured the physical and physiological reactions to Web site experiences, looking at brainwaves, heart-rate fluctuations, muscle tension and skin conductivity. Results indicated that badly designed and hosted websites cause stress and anger, leading to the term ‘Mouse Rage Syndrome’ or MRS being coined.

The Top 5 Web site failures that lead to Mouse Rage: slow to load pages; confusing/difficult to navigate layouts; excessive pop-ups; unnecessary advertising; and site unavailability.

The test results indicate that users want Google-style speed, function and accuracy from all of the Web sites they visit, and they want it now. Unfortunately, many Web sites and their dedicated servers cannot deliver this. The result - consumers seeking alternative Web sites in a bid to avoid undue stress and Mouse Rage.

The SIRC report states: “When the test participants came to the ‘problem’ sites that we had deliberately chosen as comparisons for the ‘Perfect Website’ evaluation exercise (a prior study), responses changed quite dramatically in most, but not all, cases. While a few managed to stay calm and simply ‘rise above’ the problems presented by crazy graphics and slow-loading pages, others showed very distinct signs of stress and anxiety”.

The report went on to state “Some changes in muscle tension were quite dramatic…While this was happening, the participant’s faces also tensed visibly, with the teeth clenched together and the muscles around the mouth becoming taught. These are physically uncomfortable situations that reduce concentration and increase feelings of anger.”

The first signs of Mouse Rage: heart rate quickens; increased sweating; furious clicking of the mouse; simultaneous clicking and cursing the screen; and smashing the mouse. BIOS can add another: Live Sales Assistants (are you listening Rackspace?).

Jacques Greyling, managing director of Rackspace Managed Hosting comments, “We believe that businesses that are selling online have a duty to their customers to ensure that the experience is as stress free as possible. The public has shown that it wants to buy online, as it has been forecast that over £4m an hour will be spent in the UK in the run up to Christmas. The message is clear, businesses need to provide simple and easy to navigate layouts, whilst focusing on speed and uptime.”

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