If you’re thinking of launching an online business or a website for an existing company, there has never been a better time. Developments in technology and the affordability of connected devices is pushing the numbers of people using the internet and shopping online to new heights. Here are six mind-blowing statistics about internet usage in 2019.
- Huge global growth
The global population in 2019 stands at around 7.7 billion. More than half now have internet access with the latest figures showing the number of connected users reaching 4.4 billion. That’s an enormous market for anyone thinking of going into business online. It is also a growing one, the number has increased by over 360 million, a total of 9%, in just 12 months. - Mobile on the rise
If you’re going to set up a website, then you will need to make sure it is mobile friendly. The number of active mobile internet users has now reached 3.99 billion, that’s 52 percent of the world’s population. It’s not just the number of mobile users that’s rising either, the amount of time they spend online is rising too. In 2014, the amount of time spent online on a mobile device was 26%. Five years on, with 4G networks, superfast broadband and the growth in public wi-fi availability, 48% of our surfing is now done on mobiles. That figure is set to rise even more as mobile technology develops. - We’re online for a long time
The average internet user spends a staggering 6 hours and 42 minutes online every day though this varies considerably by country. The average user in the Philippines, for example, spends over 10 hours a day online, while for those in Japan, it is just over 3 hours. Here in the UK, the average time is 5 hours 46 minutes. That gives you plenty of opportunity to get people to your website and keep them engaged in your content. - Social media still growing
Promoting your brand and website on social media can help your company reach enormous audiences. The latest statistics reveal that there are now 3.5 billion social media users, a growth of 288 million since 2018. Approximately 33% of all internet time, an average of 2 hours 15 minutes per person, per day, is spent on social media. There’s no guessing where most of this is done. Facebook is still the dominant force in the social media industry with over 2.2 billion active monthly visitors. Despite all the issues it’s faced over the last few years, users have remained faithful. Closing in, is YouTube, with 1.9 billion and behind that are three other Facebook-owned platforms: WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram. - Hey big spender
If there is one statistic that should convince you more than ever that it is time to launch that website, it’s the growth in online spending. The most recent data is showing e-commerce spending to be growing at a rate of 14% year on year. In 2018, the estimated amount of money people spent just on online retail was £1.98 trillion. - The UK is the place to start an online business
We hear a lot on the news about bricks and mortar stores closing down due to competition from online retailers. Surprisingly, online sales only take up a fraction of all sales. In Japan, Canada and even the US, they account for less than 10% of the total. The country with the biggest proportion of online spending is the UK. In Britain, eCommerce sales accounted for 18% of total sales in 2018, a rise of 2% over the previous 12 months. In the USA, by comparison, the figure was 8.9%. Indeed, the UK has led the field in online shopping over the last four years, with only China coming anywhere near. This is great news for those setting up an online store in the UK and it also means those with bricks and mortar operations can use the booming UK eCommerce market to counter the high street problems they currently face. With the average Brit spending £1,200 a year online, and rising, that’s a healthy market to aim at.
Conclusion
The internet is continuing its enormous impact on how we live and the statistics shown here prove it. Perhaps the most mind-blowing of all is the amount of time people spend online. With access to more devices and more things for us to do online, such as watch movies, play games or listen to music, this is perhaps not so much of a surprise. For those thinking of setting up an online business, the magnitude of these figures does show that there is enormous potential out there.
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