Business IT

Mobile browsing just overtook the desktop for the first time

By a Staff Writer on Nov 2, 2016 12:39PM
Mobile browsing just overtook the desktop for the first time

Editor's Picks

IoT Explained: What is the Internet of Things in Australia (June 2022)

5 essential digital transformation ideas

Top 5 Benefits of Managed IT Services

Venom BlackBook Zero 15 Phantom

New statistics provide further proof that you need to ensure your website is optimised for mobile devices.

The decline of the desktop PC passed a major milestone in October 2016: web browsing on mobile and tablet devices exceeded desktops for the first time, according to StatCounter.

The web traffic analytics company found that mobile and tablet devices accounted for 51.3% of worldwide internet usage, compared to 48.7% for desktops. And as you can see from the chart above, that trend is likely to continue, even with recent attempts to give it a kickstart.

StatCounter has been tracking global browser data since October 2009. Cast your mind back to then: Keven Rudd was in his first stint as prime minister, Ricky Ponting was Australia’s Test cricket captain, and St Kilda made the AFL grand final. Your mobile was most likely an Apple iPhone 3GS, Blackberry, HTC Hero or possibly even a Nokia feature phone. Is it any wonder, given the somewhat clunky browsing experience those handsets offered, that in those halcyon days you preferred browsing from the desktop?

That's all changed now with smartphones and tablets offering a better web experience, and smartphone data plans no longer being insultingly limited for the money.

Newsletter Signup

Get the latest business tech news, reviews and guides delivered to your inbox.

I have read and accept the privacy policy and terms and conditions and by submitting my email address I agree to receive the Business IT newsletter and receive special offers on behalf of Business IT, nextmedia and its valued partners. We will not share your details with third parties.

StatCounter's CEO Aodhan Cullen believes this should be a wake-up call to businesses that still view mobile optimisation as an afterthought. “Mobile compatibility is increasingly important not just because of growing traffic but because Google favours mobile friendly websites for its mobile search results,” he said.

While the trend is obvious worldwide, interestingly the graph is skewed by mobile adoption outside of the West. While Australia, the UK and US still have the desktop on top, 78% of India's internet access is via mobile, for example.

That’s obviously important for businesses that trade with developing countries. But even for those that don’t, 45% of Australian internet traffic is a huge – and fast-growing – chunk of the market.

The good news is that optimising your website for mobile devices should no longer cost the earth, as techniques such as responsive web design are now widely used by web designers and in web design templates.

StatCounter’s Global Stats data is based on over 15 billion page views per month on more than 2.5 million websites.

This article is based on a news story that originally appeared at alphr.com

Copyright © Alphr, Dennis Publishing
Tags:
mobile broadband statcounter
By a Staff Writer
Nov 2 2016
12:39PM
0 Comments

Related Articles

  • 5 essential digital transformation ideas
  • Top 5 Benefits of Managed IT Services
  • IoT Explained: What is the Internet of Things in Australia (June 2022)
  • Don't miss Australia’s premiere IoT Conference on 9th June
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Whatsapp Email A Friend

Most Read Articles

5 essential digital transformation ideas

5 essential digital transformation ideas

Digital dystopia: your reputation is on the line

Digital dystopia: your reputation is on the line

How to manage payment risks and fraud in 2022

How to manage payment risks and fraud in 2022

IoT Explained: What is the Internet of Things in Australia (June 2022)

IoT Explained: What is the Internet of Things in Australia (June 2022)

Poll

What would you like to see more of on BiT?
News
Reviews
Features
How To's
Lollies
Photo Galleries
Videos
Opinion
View poll archive
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorisation.
Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of nextmedia's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.