s Google shows that from the telephone as the most
internet surfing has popular communication channel.
overtaken the TV as a
pleasure activity, mums (and The UK Government is delighted
house dads) living in suburbia with the success of its
are revealed as the new audience e-government venture, as it
for websites. enables savings to be made on
services - as ‘mousewives'
In the UK the Government's aim is self-serve information costs can
to put public services online. be cut by lowering staffing
The increased availability of levels, or money can be diverted
broadband is allowing families into those services which need
tied to the house at home to make more cash.
more use of the internet, and the
term ‘mousewife' has been Older people, ‘Silver Surfers'
coined for these folks. Planning are also finding they like to
applications and making payments contact their councils in this
are the most popular services, way.
and council websites are
receiving 13 million visits a So what does the emergence of the
month. Mousewife mean to the commercial
webmaster? Internet usage during
Research is showing that more and the day is becoming serious
more families are using these competition for day time
online services, finding it easy television. People at home during
to access government and local the day are as likely to spend
authority services at times and their time surfing the internet
places convenient to them. Some as watching repeats and chat
councils are finding that the shows.
internet is starting to take over
Internet shopping has increased In the next few months the UK
considerably over the last few Government is going to undertake
years, and people are used to a vast advertising campaign
finding information on line promoting online services and
rather than going to the local encouraging take up. As more and
library: in fact this is one area more ‘Mousewives' and ‘Silver
where the world wide web really Surfers' start contacting their
does have one over on local councils online, renewing their
authority services - the book you car tax and paying their parking
want is never out! (Although you fines they will get more used to
do have to be able to find it!) the internet, and will depend
less and less on the telephone or
If you have a business getting an high street store.
internet presence is an absolute
must as people change their The world never stands still -
behaviour. No longer will they you have just got to make sure
want to pick up the phone to see you move along at the same pace
if that holiday cottage is (or be just a little ahead).
available - they want
instantaneous information. If When you are designing your site,
they want information about an think of the Mousewife and the
area they won't want to buy a Silver Surfer - and what can you
travel book, but look around at do to attract her (or him!) away
the different information from those chat shows and into
available on the ‘net! your virtual store!
About the Author:
Pat Ransom has worked in the IT industry for 15 years and is experienced with local government and company websites. Having designed and published a successful and acclaimed website in her own right the secrets of website design and publishing are now shared at http://www.webmasterproductions.co.uk
Read more articles by:
Pat Ransom
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
