Most Internet Users Go Online To Socialize
By Anna Johnson on July 6th, 2009Research by public relations agency, Ruder Finn, indicates that 80 percent of Internet users go online to socialize, while less than half that number do so to shop (31 percent) or do business (39 percent).
When it comes to shopping, 34 percent go online to buy something, with the most popular items being household items (49 percent), electronics (45 percent), music (35 percent), movies (29 percent), and school/work supplies (29 percent).
Also, more men (42 percent) than women (36 percent) go online to do business.
According to Ruder Finn, which has compiled the results of its research into the Ruder Finn Intent Index, Internet marketers need to consider users’ intent in order to effectively market to them.
“Just being online is not enough to leverage digital channels to drive business imperatives. Audiences must be targeted based upon their intent,” said Kathy Bloomgarden, Ruder Finn co-CEO, in a press release.
The Ruder Finn Intent Index is an online tool that focuses on user intent, rather than traditional demographics. Updated quarterly, the Index is based on asking Internet users how frequently they go online for 295 reasons.
