Smartphone use in Australia has jumped 40 per cent, according to a study released by Google.
A total of 52 per cent of Australians now own a smartphone, up from 37 per cent last year, according to the study, which was conducted with Ipsos Media CT.
Smartphones are also increasingly being used on the go to research products and services, with 94 per cent of Australian’s using their smartphone for product research. A total of 28 per cent have also used their smartphone to buy a product.
However, 79 per cent of businesses in Australia do not have mobile-optimised websites.
“The mobile revolution isn’t ‘coming’ - it’s already happened. Mobile is no longer optional: businesses need to develop a mobile strategy now, or risk getting left behind,” said Jason Pellegrino, head of mobile ads at Google Australia.
Those that did have mobile-optimised sites are increasingly seeing traffic via smartphones increase – online store Webjet said its bookings via smartphones have increased 27 per cent on a monthly basis since October 2010, with some users booking international holidays on their smartphone.
The study also found 86 per cent of smartphone users look for local information on their phone, with 88 per cent making purchases or contacting the business afterwards.
A total of 1000 online Australians were interviewed for the survey and included 18 to 64 year olds who used smartphones to access the internet.
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