Module 6: Checkpoint 5—File size requirements

Benefits of conformance

• Lower costs of document delivery via the online channel.
• Financial benefit from channel migration (increased return on investment with higher website usage and less reliance on more expensive channels).
• Extended audience reach (reaching more Queenslanders).
• Increased customer satisfaction and greater usability for all visitors.

Risks of non-conformance

• Increased costs for service provision.
• Reduced website (server) performance.
• User dissatisfaction resulting in website abandonment.

Implementation advice

Explanation

The internet is increasingly used for government information, service delivery and interacting with society. Therefore, Queensland Government websites should provide equal access and equal opportunity to all people regardless of economic and social factors, their physical environment and computer technologies.

Non-HTML documents with the smallest possible file size have the following benefits to the community:

• access to information quickly and easily (less time to download)
• access that is technology independent (e.g. mobile devices)
• access that is cost-effective (some users cannot afford a high-speed internet connection)
• access by users with limited download volume available to them
• reduced bandwidth congestion (faster delivery of information)
• increased customer satisfaction (users achieve their goals effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily)
• a more consistent user experience.

Users unable to download large non-HTML documents are likely to abandon the online channel requiring key information to be delivered through more expensive channels (such as print, face-to-face and over the phone).