Characteristics of Web Users
● Gender and age—There are about as many males as females on the Web; however,
females shop more often. Eighteen- to 29-year-olds are the most likely to
use the Web; those 65 and older are the least likely.
● Income and education—Less than one-half of households with an annual
income under $30,000 use the Web; in contrast, 92 percent of households with
an annual income of at least $75,000 use the Web. Those who have graduated
from college are more than three times as likely to use the Internet as those
who have not graduated from college.
● Purchase behavior—The average monthly spending online for those making
Web purchases is nearly $200. Men spend slightly more than women (even
though more women shop online).
● Reasons for using the Web—People seek information, entertainment, and
interactive communications.
● Reasons for shopping on the Web—Shoppers are attracted by the convenience,
prices, and product selection of Web retailing.
● Reasons for not shopping on the Web—Nonshoppers do not trust online retailers,
worry about their privacy, like to see and handle products, like talking to
salespeople, like taking purchases with them, and do not want to be surprised
by the lack of shipping cost information.