Load-Testing of Web Site Applications: Analysis and Recommendations

Abstract

The growth in e-commerce has been accompanied by an enormous need to host robust web sites. Electronic Commerce has changed the role of Information Technology (IT) function from its elementary business support to providing key competitive advantages. Rapid changes in several technologies, while improving the ability to develop and deliver web sites quickly, have also increased the complexity of designing and managing them. It is easy for a consumer or business partner to change to a different supplier if an in-house or outsourced E-Commerce site does not perform up to expectations. Implementing an appropriate web-application testing program is critical in an environment where barriers to switching suppliers of web sites are minimal. Developing robust web sites that perform well under varying loads can be ensured only by a rigorous testing of these web sites before launching them in a production environment.