Tablet users have high expectations for web browsing

The introduction of the tablet computer has reshaped people's computing habits on several levels. One area that does not seem to be affected, however, is web performance.

According to a March 2012 study from technology performance company Compuware, tablet users expect web pages to load just as quickly on their mobile devices as they do on traditional PCs. Slow web performance, the study finds, often leads to abandoned pages and, consequently, missed sales opportunities for online retailers.

The study, which was conducted by Equation Research on behalf of Compuware, finds that approximately 40 percent of tablet users have experienced problems accessing websites. In such cases, 46 percent of users are likely to take their business elsewhere and visit a competitor's site.

Slow load times are the most commonly cited problem, as 70 percent of tablet users expect sites to load in two seconds or less. Crashes, faulty site functions and format issues were also identified as top concerns.

Retailers that fail to leverage the enormous popularity of the tablet may be doing themselves a disservice. According to a separate study from Total Media, tablet users spend more than the average online shopper, suggesting there is huge opportunity for companies that take advantage of the mobile format.