Load testing an application ensures that it will function correctly once it's in production. Testing answers the following questions simply and conclusively:

• Will my application fall apart under load?
• Will my pre-defined performance targets be met?
• How many simultaneous users can my Web site handle

Performance problems are common and have a wide variety of causes:

So, recent research from TNS/Zeus Technology shows that 82% of UK online shoppers said that if a website performed badly it would dissuade them from buying goods from that organisation on the web or in store.

The survey was based on a sample of over 2,000 shoppers and shows that each of them will abandon around 5.5 online purchases every year due to poor website response times.