Ever wondered what the most popular UK websites are? Well wonder no more.

Below is a list of the 20 most popular websites (according to Hitwise) for the week ending 10/7/2010.

Interesting reading, I am sure you will agree.

Here are some very interesting figures released last week

According to The Daily Telegraph ‘An extra million Britons aged 50 or over have gone online for the first time in the past year, as older people become more confident with the internet.’ So internet users continue to grow.

It’s important to remember that every user if different, but we will start to see trends (in this age range) that will show an increase in search traffic relevant to the over 50’s.

Do you want to tap into this market and is it relevant to your business?

You do, great. So how do you tap into this market?

I would advise the following.

First, what are you looking to achieve. Perhaps you would like to increase your revenue, or are you looking to provide useful information to the over 50’s.

Second, how are you going to go about achieving your goals?
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If you are looking to sell products, it is important that you identify the relevant search terms. Terms that will be used by the over 50’s. Then you need to position yourself at the top of the search engines (Google etc) for the search terms relevant to the products you sell.

Perhaps you are looking to provide quality information to the Masses? One element that can help is Viral Marketing. This can assist in getting your message out there, by encouraging others to spread your words.

These are just a couple of online marketing tips showing how to get the most out of the internet. So, if you are looking to increase sales, or increase brand reputation, the internet can help. But have a structured plan, or speak to someone who can help with your online marketing….

…like Miromedia.

We are frequently having conversations with our clients about the amount of businesses that use the web. And the increase in business to business leads created by the internet. But internet user growth does not stop with business.

Here is an interesting statistic released this week, that may change your view on user behaviour.

‘The British internet audience increased from 36.9 million in May 2009 to 38.8 Million in May  this year.’

Now let’s drill down into these figures a little more, for additional information.

Internet surfers over 50 accounted for 53 per cent of the overall increase.’

Interesting info, I am sure you will agree.

Now that the internet is established as one of the fastest (if not the fastest) ways to get information on a myriad of different subjects. There really is something for everyone.

Seems you’re never too old to see the benefits.

We have waited a long time for the World Cup. 4 years to be exact. So the team at Miromedia though it would be fun to give you our view on the tournament. Predictions below:

Ian
Winners: Spain
Top Scorer: Torres

Mike
Winners: England
Top Scorer: Rooney

Richard
Winners: England
Top Scorer: Beckham or Ferdinand

Andrew
Winners: England
Top Scorer: Messi

Roland
Winners: Italy
Top Scorer: Messi

Ric
Winners: Guana
Top Scorer: Matthew Amoah

Julian
Winners: Spain
Top Scorer: David Villa

Micky
Winners: Spain
Top Scorer: Rooney

Gus
Winners: Netherlands
Top Scorer: David Villa

Let’s see who was right.

Google has launched it new service which looks to combine TV and the internet. With the use of a special TV set or a normal television plugged into a Google box you can now access content from the web in the comfort of your living room; viewing things like YouTube videos, live streamed content and web pages.

Google TV is a ‘natural extension of the web’ combining two of the most commonly used medium into one mighty content based interface.

Whilst the idea makes a lot of sense there have been a number of similar initiative in the past that have proved unsuccessful so it’s definitely worth holding off on this before opening up your wallet for another technology spend.

Published in the Telegraph on the 13th May, the below article highlights the importance of the internet - particularly in the retail sector. Comet reported sales across the group fell by 1.2pc whilst sales over the internet soared by 23.8pc.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/7716123/Poor-weather-cast-shadow-over-Comet.html

Latest results from UK Online Measurement Company (UKOM) show a marked increase in time spent on the internet. According to the report British web users now spend 65% more time on the internet than 3 years ago. So Surfing now accounts for over ‘22 hours per month’ online.

A considerable amount of this time goes to social networking, like Facebook, Twitter and Bebo, or blogs (like this one).

Social Networking sites, and in particular Facebook, are achieving notable successes. In fact, Facebook has now secured an impressive 7.2% of all time spent online in the UK, compared to 6.5% 3 years ago.

• Social networks/blogs – 22.7%
• Email – 7.2%
• Gaming – 6.9%
• Instant Messaging – 4.9%
• Classified/Auctions – 4.7%
• Portals – 4%
• Search 4%
• Software info/products – 3.4%
• News – 2.8%
• Adult – 2.7% 

Source UKOM

I was emailed a link this morning to view an online mountain biking magazine. I’m sure it would have been great, however, I couldn’t view it. All I was presented with was a blank screen. The magazine was built entirely in Adobe Flash (formerly Macromedia Flash). And I was trying to view it on my iPad (see previous blog!). Now, Adobe and Apple are in a dispute as to the security of Flash Apps and running on the Apple mobile platform (iPhone, iPad, iPod - this list goes on). Surely, with the proliferation of mobile Apple devices and the resent huge uptake of the iPad in the US, Flash must be on the downward side of the curve?

This aside, if any of our clients approached us to create an online magazine, the first thing we would take a look at would be accessibility - as we would see this as intrinsic to the establishing and growing readership. So, the last thing we would look at would be Flash - especially for the whole magazine.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m a fan of Flash. It’s changed and increase the way we view video online (YouTube) and when used effectively, there is no substitute - until HTML 5 arrives that is.

So, if there were only 14hrs to save the Earth, then I’d go with good old reliable and accessible HTML.

PS. Even more frustrating is that as it currently stands, I can’t use BBC iPlayer on my iPad either!

We took delivery last week of our very own Apple iPad. Freshly imported from the US along with a US iTunes account and a $100 gift voucher for lots of sparkly new iPad Apps.

And the verdict is…
…what a fabulous bit of kit. It’s important to understand that the iPad will disappoint if you don’t understand what it’s for. If you want a quick, small and fairly light device for browsing the web, sending and receiving email and most other thing you do when at home, then the iPad may be for you. If you want a business machine, it certainly won’t replace your laptop - unless you only use it for resting your pen and note pad on.

The actual iPad itself is a lovely looking piece of kit. Typically Apple, the materials and construction are second to none. The screen is vibrant and the resolution on HD movie stunning. And, personally, I don’t have any issues with the touch keyboard and size.

The Apps selection is limited at the moment and running iPhone apps on it simply doubles the size of the App - which is a bit rubbish from what I’ve seen so far.

The Safari browser is currently detected as a mobile browser, which is a little frustrating. I have a big screen and don’t want to be served iPhone site versions. No doubt, developers will catch on - this one has

Main Benefits/positive points so far:
Immediate on button - no boot up time
Long battery time
Lovely screen/display
Very quick
Keynote on the go is effective - but importantly not the full version
Works great with Bluetooth headphones (Sennheiser mm450)
Excellent video/movies
oh - and looks cool in Starbucks (but you may get mugged for it)

Main faults/frustrations so far:
Massive finger print issue
Easy to drop (like a big bar of soap)
No Flash - but maybe that’s not such a bad thing!
Sites recognise the iPad Safari as a mobile browser
Limited Apps at the moment - but increasing daily
Won’t charge from your USB as not powerful enough. Needs mains.

I’ll update further over time.

It’s time for a quick top ten run down of the most downloaded web browsers for the Windows OS.

1. Mozilla Firefox
2. Internet Explorer
3. Google Chrome
4. Avant Browser
5. Opera
6. SlimBrowser
7. Internet Explorer 9
8. Windows Internet Explorer 8 for MSN
9. Apple Safari
10. Netscape Navigator

As you can see some old favourites in there as well as some unexpected ones, not least Avant Browser. This one being based on the IE rendering engine, I’ve not used it myself but will certainly have to check it out, although I’m not sure why you would want to create a browser based on IE with all its shortcomings.

I have to say my own personal browser of choice at the moment is Chrome; it’s quick, lightweight and just seems to never have any problems.