Why performance testing is no longer an option but a necessity.
What we learned from 2024
Black Friday 2024 was no ordinary sales day, but rather a digital stress test for IT systems across Switzerland. Online traffic increased by approximately 15% compared to the previous year. Most notably, over 65% of all transactions took place on mobile devices. The majority of users expected loading times of under two seconds – anything longer led to immediate abandonment.
Conclusion: Expectations are rising. Patience is decreasing. Technical tolerance is practically zero.
Performance is more than speed
When we talk about performance, it's not just about loading times – it's about digital resilience. What happens when twice as many users are at checkout at the same time? What if the external payment service suddenly slows down? And what if all of this happens simultaneously?
Performance testing is precisely for such scenarios: to test before things go wrong, and not after the damage has already occurred.
Typical weaknesses – and how to recognize them
In our projects, we repeatedly encounter the same challenges:
Checkout processes are not optimized for load
Mobile UX is tested too late or not at all
Third-party services (payment, CDN, search) are underestimated
Load tests are based on the previous year's figures – rather than growth targets
The classic scenario: The system runs flawlessly in the test environment. But under real load? A completely different story.
Black Friday is not just an e-commerce topic
In the financial sector, government agencies, and retail platforms, we also see increased traffic on Black Friday – whether due to campaigns, discounts, or simply higher customer volume. Those who don't perform well during these hours risk not only abandoned transactions but also reputational damage. After all, nothing spreads faster than frustration on social media.
Why the Swiss environment is special
Different rules apply in Switzerland. Not only technically – but also regulatory:
Data residency: Customer data often needs to remain in Switzerland (revFADP)
Multilingualism: Load tests must be run for all language regions.
Customer expectations: Swissness is not just a promise of quality – it is an expectation.
Performance tests must take this into account – otherwise we'll be testing against reality.
What you can (and should) do now
If you're wondering whether you're prepared, you should look at the following points:
Load tests with realistic – or rather conservative – volume assumptions
Establish mobile-first performance testing as the standard
Integrate third-party tests into the test strategy
Activate and validate monitoring and alerting for peak times
And yes, it takes time. But the effort beforehand is nothing compared to the potential damage during the event.
Our conclusion is based on practical experience, not textbook theory
Performance testing is not a project task, but a continuous process. It's about being prepared – not perfect. Systems may be pushed to their limits – but not uncontrollably.
At Infometis, we see performance as part of overall quality. And we experience daily that companies that take this area seriously are more successful – and more relaxed – in the long run.
📹 Want to see how a typical performance project works? In our video clip, we show the process using a real-world scenario.
Swiss customers have high expectations
+15%
Estimated increase in online traffic on Black Friday 2025 compared to the previous year.
Switzerland's digital affinity
A highly active market with clear expectations for a seamless online experience.
Patience is not a Swiss virtue (Online)
Every second counts. Slow loading times lead to immediate abandonment.
The cost of poor performance
When technology fails, the consequences are far-reaching – from direct revenue losses to long-term reputational damage.
The domino effect of performance bottlenecks
A single weak point can bring the entire customer journey to a standstill and permanently damage customer trust.
Downtime costs per minute
CHF 5,600
(Average value according to industry studies)
Loss of revenue for Amazon
CHF 1.6 billion.
Annually, with only a 1-second delay
Your digital insurance: Performance testing
A proactive approach to identifying vulnerabilities before they become a problem.
The testing process at a glance
load test
Simulates normal and expected traffic.
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Stress test
Find the stress limit of your system.
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Spike test
Tests sudden load spikes (e.g., flash sales).
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Endurance test
Test the stability over a long period of time.
Infometis: Your Swiss partner for quality
We combine local expertise with technological excellence to guarantee the stability of your digital systems.
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Local Expertise
Deep understanding of the Swiss market, mentality and strict data protection laws (revFADP).
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Certified quality
CMMI & ISO certified. Long-standing, award-winning Tricentis partner. This guarantees the highest standards.
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Holistic approach
From strategy and implementation to reporting – we offer complete quality management.
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Innovation focus
Through "swarm intelligence" and continuous training, we are always at the cutting edge, also in the field of AI.
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Customer focus
We offer tailor-made advice and solutions that are precisely tailored to your needs.
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Proven successes
Leading Swiss companies trust in our expertise and our measurable results.
Trust, that brings responsibility
We are proud to be the reliable partner for software quality for leading companies in Switzerland.
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