Zappos leads in web site speed and reliability, study says

Zappos.com Inc. led an index of apparel retailers in both web site page-loading speed and reliability for the Oct. 9-13 period, Keynote Competitive Research reports. Zappos had a response time of 3.83 seconds, compared to 4.49 seconds for second-ranked J.C. Penney Co. Inc. and an average of 8.29 seconds among nine indexed retailers.

Zappos also led the reliability index with a success rate of 99.87%, compared to 99.74% for second-ranked J.C. Penney and 97.94 for the index average.

Zappos was the only retailer to lead in both categories among three Keynote indices.

In an index of books and music e-retailers, Walmart.com led with a response rime of 4.19 seconds, compared to an index average of 8.5 seconds, and Barnes & Noble led in reliability with a success rate of 99.87%, compared to an index average of 98.6%.

In a retail electronics index, Office Depot led the speed category with a response time of 3.96 seconds, compared to an index average of 5.63 seconds; CDW, Circuit City and Staples tied for the lead in reliability with a success rate of 100%, compared to an index average of 98.85%.