17 December 2011
Figures released by the UK’s Office for National Statistics show 41.6 million of the UK’s adults use the internet and 8.43 million have never used the internet. 41.6 million adults equals 83% of the adult population!

Figures released by the UK’s Office for National Statistics show 41.6 million of the UK’s adults use the internet and 8.43 million have never used the internet. 41.6 million adults equals 83% of the adult population!

The Office of National Statistics also told us back in September that more than half of the UK population aged 16 and over is now using social media.

Results from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) on British internet habits revealed that, while 43% of those aged 16 and over were using Twitter and Facebook last year, that figure has increased to 57% at the end of Q2 2011.

A gender divide was also revealed, with women being the predominant users at 60%, compared to 54% of men. However, professional social networking site LinkedIn was used by over 50% more men (16%) than women (9%).

It also stated that 91% of those in the 16-24 age group are active users of social media, with 18% of over-65s socialising online.

Adults aged 75 and over represent a significant proportion of those who have never used the internet, but in Q3 of 2011 164,000 members of this age group used the internet for the first time.

The minority of adults never having used the internet has 3 numerically significant groups contributing toward the 8,43 million total. Those aged over 75, those with disabilities and those earning less than £200 per week are identified as being the most likely not to use the internet.

The stats show clear and unquestionable evidence that 8 out 10 of every businesses customers (assuming they target UK adults between 18 and 75) use the internet.

1. DIRECTIVE ADVERTISING HAS CHANGED
Go back 20 years, people used the Yellow Pages, today they use the internet when looking for a product or service.

2. WORD OF MOUTH HAS CHANGED
Marketers used to say that if you do something good for somebody they’ll 4 of their friends, do something bad and they’ll tell 8! With the rise of Facebook and it’s 30 million UK users, word of mouth has achieved new speed, new distances and much bigger groups! The average Facebook user has 130 friends, what are your customers saying about you? 50% of mobile internet traffic is going to Facebook!


We’ve also heard this month that the number of self employed is growing, it is now the largest it’s ever been. This will put pressure on existing businesses large and small, new competition on the block as the Americans would say. New businesses in this day and age will more than likely look for a web designer/service as a default action. Existing businesses still without a web site, or an old and out of date website should be encouraged to have a site built or updated to make sure they stay ahead of new competitors because the facts are that 83% of UK adults use the internet, and what is the most common use of the internet? Looking for something, and if it’s a service or product, those who are on the internet are in the market place, those who aren’t are missing out on customers.