Have you ever clicked away from a page because it took too long to load? You’re certainly not alone. Maybe you just didn’t feel like waiting, but a long loading time also makes many people wonder what’s going on behind the scenes—is this website secretly downloading a virus onto my computer?

In most cases, a major part of the delay comes down to the structure and location of the server, but the average website visitor has never heard of this. Most programmers are aware of it, yet many seem to overlook it. Maybe they lack the necessary knowledge, or maybe they prioritise cost over quality. After all, as long as a website looks good and functions well, does the server really matter?

Wrong!

Speed is a crucial part of a well-functioning website. Every time a user clicks a button, a data transaction begins. However, this information doesn’t travel directly from point A to point B—it passes through multiple checkpoints. To illustrate, imagine a relay race. The “baton”—in this case, the data—is passed from one runner to the next until it finally reaches the server. If the server is located in the Netherlands, this process is much faster than if the server is in California. Even if we’re talking about milliseconds, the delay can make a noticeable difference in user experience.

When an entire webpage needs to be loaded, the process becomes even more complex. Many batons must be passed to load the full page, and each “runner” can only carry one at a time. Images and videos are heavier to load than text. The further away the server is, the longer it takes for data to travel back and forth. The waiting time increases exponentially, with all the consequences that follow. No one wants to wait too long for the result of a race they can’t even see.

In the Dutch automotive sector, a fast website is essential. Visitors want to browse car listings without interruptions and instantly find the information they need. Unfortunately, many businesses opt for foreign servers because they are cheaper. In most cases, these servers are shared with other websites, which further impacts performance. The result? A slow website and frustrated potential customers who abandon their search due to long loading times.

In this case, saving money often turns out to be costly. The money saved on hosting is lost in missed sales opportunities due to slow load speeds. That’s why it’s wise to choose an efficient solution that actually meets your business needs. However, that doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. At DealerNexa, we use local servers, but we also configure them ourselves, ensuring they operate as efficiently as possible. This allows us to provide a fast website at a reasonable price.