In this May newsletter:Web AUDIENCE HITS 694 Million
Source: The National Business Review
There are now 694 million Internet users in the world, according to a new survey of online use by USA-based comScore Networks.
The survey also found that the online audience in the USA now represents less than a quarter of Internet users across the globe. Ten years ago two-thirds of internet users were based in the USA.
Nevertheless, the USA still contains the largest single Internet population with 152,046,000 Internet users, followed at some distance by China on 74,727,000.
Top 15 Online Populations by Country (rounded)
- 694 Million - Total Worldwide
- 152 Million - USA
- 75 Million - China
- 52 Million - Japan
- 32 Million - Germany
- 30 Million - UK
- 24 Million - South Korea
- 23 Million - France
- 19 Million - Canada
- 17 Million - Italy
- 16 Million - India
- 13 Million - Brazil
- 12 Million - Spain
- 11 Million - Netherlands
- 10 Million - Russia
- 9 Million - Australia
In terms of hours spent online, Israel led the list, with the average user spending 57.5 hours online per month month – twice as much time compared to the average person in the USA, which did not rank in the top 15 countries.
Top 15 Average Time Spent Online per Month by Country (rounded)
- 31 Hours - Worldwide Average
- 57 Hours - Israel
- 50 Hours - Finland
- 47 Hours - South Korea
- 44 Hours - Netherlands
- 43 Hours - Taiwan
- 42 Hours - Sweden
- 41 Hours - Brazil
- 40 Hours - Hong Kong
- 39 Hours - Portugal
- 38 Hours - Canada
- 37 Hours - Germany
- 36 Hours - Denmark
- 35 Hours - France
- 34 Hours - Norway
- 33 Hours - Venezuela
comScore Networks says that by using a global cross-section of more than two million consumers who have agreed to allow their browsing and transaction behaviour to be recorded, the company can provide a clearer picture of the patterns of Internet use across the world.
Get Choosing Pictures With Oomph
by Steph Kendall, Avatar Web Promotions
The pictures on your Web site may only have a matter of seconds to catch the attention of an online visitor, so it's important that they're as effective as they can be. To help you out, we've put together a few tips and resources for finding and choosing pictures with online oomph.
Where To Get Good Pictures
- DIY — If you're a dab hand with a camera, you can produce some great results, (view for example, the Sea Spirit Web site) but if you're not sure whether your own pictures are up to scratch, ask someone else. Don't tell them who took the picture. Let them be nice or nasty, without thinking they're offending you personally.
- Professional photographers — If you don't know the front from the back of a camera, you could consider investing in the services of a professional photographer. Do make sure you've seen samples of their work so you know what quality of pictures you can expect and give them a very clear brief on what you want.
- Online picture libraries — These are some of our fave online photo libraries: iStockphoto, FreeImages, Fotolia, Gimmestock.com, Dreamstime, Can Stock Photo and BIG Stock Photo. The pictures offered are typically of very high quality and range from traditional to quirky. Before you purchase any pictures, check the terms and conditions of use carefully.
What Makes Web Site Pictures Effective?
Here are a few things to think about when you are choosing pictures for your Web site:
- Lighting — Pictures should be well lit with clearly visible subjects. Well lit pictures can be really effective against darker backgrounds.
- Composition — Effective composition isn't always about the rule of thirds. Choose some pictures for their interesting angles, use of space, unusual perspectives or extreme close-ups (macro).
- Mood Shots — Mood shots are often close-ups of details such as flower petals, wood bark, water drips, firelight, crockery, food and drink. You can use mood shots to create atmosphere, evoke emotional responses and add colour and style to your site.
- Colour — Select pictures in colour, black and white or sepia depending on the style and appeal you are trying to create. Army Museum, for example, uses black and white and faded pictures to create a sense of history with great effect.
- People Pictures — People are drawn to pictures of people. Putting people in landscapes, for example, not only creates a point of focus but also helps to create a sense of size and scale. Use people in your pictures that your target audience can relate to.
Have fun choosing your site's pictures, because if you enjoy picking them, your target audience may just enjoy looking at them!
