The Rise of the Digital Omnivore

Ever heard of a digital omnivore? Chances are you might be one. Do you use a desktop computer at work? What about a laptop or notebook at home or on the road? Got an iPhone or other Smartphone? Better throw in an iPad for good measure. If this applies to you, then you my friend, are a digital omnivore.

Don't worry though, you're not alone. Like their foodie counterpart, a digital omnivore is someone who enjoys a varied and balanced diet of digital content (that's web, social media, apps and more), from a whole bunch of different devices and locations. With the rise and rise of Smartphones and tablet devices over the last couple of years, most Australian consumers fall squarely into this category.

In fact, nearly 90% of the world's population now uses a mobile device, and estimates have put the percentage of these that will be web-enabled Smartphones within the next two years at anywhere between 70 and 100%. You can expect Aussies to be at the higher end of that estimate, coming second only to Singapore in global uptake of Smartphone devices, and the 4G network and NBN rollout expected to change the game even further.

So what does this mean for you? Well if you're in business or you need to communicate with any audience, it means a hell of a lot. It means it's time to get mobile ready, now.

In 2013, we will use the web everywhere, we will communicate everywhere, and we will expect your business to be there with us. You see, the revolution of mobile web doesn't just mean we're using different technology; it means we're interacting in a whole new context, behaving in a whole new way, and expecting entirely new user experiences.

Over the next few issues of Darwin Life, we will be delving into how your business can adapt to the changing digital landscape, remain visible to your clients and boost your online marketing presence. We'll also talk about how your traditional marketing can work in conjunction with a great web strategy. According to digitalbuzzblog.com, 71% of smartphone users that see a captivating TV, press or mobile advertisement will immediately do a mobile search. You don't want to miss that.

In our next blog, we're going to tell you all about responsive design, what it is, how it works and how your business can make the most of it. Later we'll look at the place of apps in the world of the digital omnivore, how responsive design is working for businesses right here in the Territory, and what new trends and developments in mobile mean for us all (Windows 8 anyone?). Til then, happy feeding!