The Modern Consumer
More and more people are turning to the Internet for information before making
a buying decision. According to the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration in their February 2002
report, A
Nation Online, 36% of Americans use the Internet to search for
information on products and services before purchasing offline. That was up
from 26% the year before.
Approximately
54% of the US population uses the Internet with 2 million new members signing up
every month. This online population consists of all types of people. People of
all races, income brackets, age, and education use the internet. Some of the
groups with the highest rate of increase in Internet use are African-Americans,
Hispanics, people earning less than $15,000 per year, and people with less
than a high school diploma. Each of these groups had at least a 30% increase in
use from 2000 to 2001. They have joined the millions of other people already
using the Internet on a regular basis. Click here for a more
detailed look at America's online demographics.
These people might be new to the area and unaware of where to spend their money. They might be long time residents looking for a new place to purchase goods and services. Or they might be looking for a unique gift. Wouldn't you rather have them find your web site than your competition's?
They might even be your current customers. Using your website to keep in touch with your current base is a great way to build client relationships and keep them coming back to you when they are ready to buy again!
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