The internet is a vast and complex entity, teeming with data and demographics that can be both enlightening and misleading. While research can provide some insight, it often feels incomplete due to the sheer scale of the web. It's challenging to find a small representative sample that can yield significant results reflecting the entire web. Consequently, the numbers reported, even from reputable sources, may not be relevant to your specific needs or interests.
Consider the claim that 330 million people are "on the Web." The ambiguity of this statement raises questions. Does it refer to daily users, occasional users, or something in between? Regardless of the interpretation, the number itself may not be meaningful to everyone. For instance, if you're interested in reaching a small fraction of web users, the total number of people online is irrelevant. The notion propagated by spam messages that you can reach all 330 million people is misleading.
A recent report suggested that about a third of nearly 100,000 spam messages received by a firm were promoting adult content. While such reports from reputable firms or individuals are generally trustworthy, the numbers themselves can be misleading. For example, if your personal experience with spam differs significantly from the report, it doesn't necessarily mean the report is incorrect. It simply indicates that their sample of emails is not representative of what you receive, and vice versa.
A common misconception is that the demographics of your website visitors are representative of the entire web. For instance, if only 5% of your visitors use Netscape, it doesn't mean that only 5% of all web users use Netscape. The demographics of your site visitors are unique to your site and may not be representative of the broader web user population.
The web is a dynamic entity, with user demographics and preferences constantly changing. For example, Netscape was once the dominant web browser, but its market share has declined with the rise of Microsoft's Internet Explorer. However, it's unwise to assume that this trend will continue indefinitely. The best approach is to accommodate all possible options today and be prepared to adapt to changes in the future.
Ignoring a small percentage of your visitors, such as those using a less popular web browser, can be a costly mistake. Even if only 5% of your visitors use Netscape, disregarding their needs is not a wise business decision. It's important to ensure that your website is accessible and functional for all users, regardless of their browser choice.
While JavaScript and plug-ins can enhance the functionality of your website, it's crucial to provide alternative access options for users who can't or don't want to use these features. For example, not all users will be willing to download and install a plug-in to view your site. Similarly, not all users have the same hardware capabilities. A site that requires a sound card, for example, will not be accessible to users without one.
Making assumptions about your visitors' capabilities and preferences can drive them away from your site. Considering the effort required to attract new visitors, it's counterproductive to alienate even a single user due to unfounded assumptions.
In conclusion, while numbers and demographics can provide some insight into the web, they should be interpreted with caution. It's essential to focus on interactivity with your readers and visitors, seek their input, and derive your own demographics from it.
Never, Ever Release Any Of Your Rights To Anyone
One of the grandest scams on the Web, which goes largelyunnoticed, is for a web-based bookseller or publisher to requiresome rights to your work in exchange for the service to beprovided. Many demand the electronic rights, for example.
How Well Do You Know Your Perfect Customer?
Your Perfect Customer is real only in your mind. He or sheis the one individual most representative of your target. Theone to whom you always speak one-on-one in your newsletter andon your site.
Does Search Engine Traffic Matter?
The short answer is, "Sure." And it likely always will.But the amount of free traffic search engines now deliver tomany small online businesses doesn't amount to much. And whatthere is of it continues to decline in importance. Pay-for-submission models are rapidly eliminating free options.
