Perth, Western Australia (PRWEB) September 14, 2012
In a latest Telstra Smartphone Index study, which surveyed more than 2800 Australians aged 16 and above, it was evident that mobile devices are changing the way business is conducted not only in Australia, but internationally as well. Mobile marketing has become ubiquitous due to the fact that both large and small businesses can develop websites fully optimised for mobile use.
An article in Marketing Mag cited Woolworths opening of virtual supermarkets in two train stations, where users were able to shop, pay, and arrange delivery through their smartphones. Other examples are cited, but the point was clear: Australians are using smartphones more often for more tasks, and the trend should continue to rise until nearly everyone is using smartphones to access the net and to do business.
According to the Telstra study, in 2011, 46% of Australians owned a smartphone, while only 36% owned smartphones in 2010. 51% of males who use mobile own smartphones, while only 42% of females with mobile phones own a smartphone. 52% of those in metro areas own smartphones, while only 34% of those outside of metro areas own them. 23% of those who use smartphones are over 50 years old, while 39% are over 40 years old.
The study also revealed that 90% of Australians who own smartphones used them to access the Internet. Smartphones were used most often for social networking sites and mobile internet search, with Google and Facebook being the predominant sites accessed. Checking email was the next most popular, with Hotmail and Yahoo Mail coming in third and fourth for most frequently visited sites. The fifth most accessed Australian mobile site was the Bureau of Meteorology.
More stats: 41% visited a social networking site every day in 2011, which is a 10% rise from 2010, while approximately 25% checked news and weather on their smartphones every day. Approximately 33% used mapping sites every week, while about 20% used mobile directory sites like Yellow Pages every week.
The bottom line from all of this data is that smartphone use for accessing the Internet is increasing daily, and wont stop anytime soon. In fact, according to the same study, 61% of those who own smartphones are now surfing the Internet on their mobile phones every day, up from 53% in 2010. 37% of them have made their online purchases using their smartphones.
More and more Australians are transitioning from their desktop or laptop computers to their mobile phones around 25% visit social networking sites and 20% search the Internet on their smartphones more than they do on their PC and laptops.
Kirk OConnor, Director of Development for Spanky Media, has seen these trends first-hand due to his companys involvement in mobile website development: Whats happening with smartphones now reminds me of what happened with computers during the Internet boom. Growth has been almost exponential the last few years. It obviously has to level off sometime, but it certainly shows no signs of doing so yet.
OConnor is adamant in his belief that a mobile presence is essential for any business in this era: We love the standard websites, and they are essential for anyones operation, but nowadays, it isnt quite enough. It is now imperative for all businesses, large or small, to have a website that a mobile user who is ready to be a customer can easily navigate.
OConnor concluded, The reality is that most people are impatient today. If someone has to wait too long on a smartphone for a website to load, he or she will simply click away and find a faster site. If you dont have a mobile site, you are leaving too much money on the table.
Spanky Media is a Perth Web Development Company that offers a plethora of services, including mobile website development, WordPress development, premium WordPress themes, Facebook brand pages, and social media marketing. For more information, there website is here: http://www.spankymedia.com.au or you may dial 1300 729 261 for a phone consultation.
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