The document discusses the significant evolution of the internet and its profound impact on consumer behavior and daily life. It highlights the increase in internet access, the proliferation of connected devices, and how these changes empower consumers through informed decision-making. Additionally, it notes trends in online shopping and video consumption, emphasizing the internet's integral role in modern society.

1. Evolution of Marketing
Postgraduate Certificate Course in Digital Marketing
Unit 1: Assignment 2, Task 1
The Evolution of the Internet.
How consumers use technology
and its impact on our lives.
Student Name: Benjamin Johnson
Student Number: 86563959

2. Introduction
The arrival and growth of the Internet has brought about substantial change.
The Internet has become deeply embedded in the way we
research information, navigate our world, shop, communicate and consume content.
This change shows no signs of slowing down as technology allows for
faster speeds, richer content and greater access to the Internet across the world’s population.

3. Access to the Internet – History
With humble beginning as a means for various university computers to communicate with each other,
the Internet was set on it’s course as a transformative force in the world with the establishment of the World Wide Web in 1991.
Fig 1: History of the Internet timeline (VentCube) 2019 [Online Resource]

4. Access to the Internet – 2007 vs 2017
Fig 2: Max Roser, Hannah Ritchie and Esteban Ortiz-Ospina (2015) - "Internet". Published online at OurWorldInData.org. [Online Resource]
The % share of the population using the Internet grew significantly in the decade 2007 to 2017

5. Average Internet
connection speed
in the USA
from 2007 to 2017
(in Mbps), by quarter
Average internet speeds have
increased significantly since 2012.
Faster speeds have increased the use of
rich content (such as video) as more data
can be loaded in a shorter period of time.
Fig 3: Internet Connection Speeds, USA (Statista) 2020 [Online Resource]

6. Digital devices used by audiences
Faster speeds and more widespread access to the internet has made the internet a more integrated part of day-to-day life.
In the past 5 years alone, the average number of internet connected devices per person has doubled.
Fig 4: Internet of Things – Future Outlook (Research Gate) 2020 [Online Resource]

7. We interact with a
growing number of
Internet connected
devices in modern
everyday life
Desktop / Laptop computers
Tablets / handheld devices
Smartphones
Smart Watches
Smart TVs
Personal Fitness tracking devices
Home assistant devices
and many more…

8. How customers search for information
Ease of access to the internet makes consumers more informed and more connected with businesses.
Customers can find out who
businesses are and what they sell
Informational Searches
Customers can find where
businesses are
Navigational Searches
Customers know what they want
and can find how to buy it
Transactional Searches

9. The ‘mobile assisted shopper’
Knowledge
Knowing more
about a product
before purchase
Reviews
Checking consumer
reviews for other
people’s experiences
Price Check
Instantly check that
you’re getting the best
price possible
Greater access to the internet, particularly with the advent of the smartphone, has
empowered consumers through access to independent information.
Consumers have never been more well-informed when making purchases.
88% of consumers
pre-researched their
purchases online.
(Pymnts.com, 2018)
Pre-Shopping
88%
$$$

10. What
consumers
buy online
A highly diverse selection of products
across many categories and industries.
Clothing, books, shoes and consumer
electronics are the most popular product
categories to purchase online.
Fig 5: Online Shopping Statistics (Big Commerce / Statista) 2020 [Online Resource]

11. Fig 6: Man in Green T-Shirt Riding Bicycle On Road (Pexels.com) 2020 [photograph]
What
consumers
buy online
The online service economy has boomed
with the increased access to the Internet.
Mobile apps and access to devices are
integral for businesses like Uber, delivery
services like UberEats, Deliveroo, etc.
as well as freelance facilitating
businesses like Fiverr.

12. Online video consumption
Fig 7: How Many Hours of Online Video Do You Watch Per Week (Statista) 2020 [Online Resource]
By 2022,
online videos will
make up more than
82% of all consumer
internet traffic
— 15 times higher than
it was in 2017.
— (Cisco, 2020)

13. As internet speeds
increase, content
consumption becomes
a more viable source
of entertainment.
- Streaming services
(Netflix, Hulu, Stan, Amazon Prime,
YouTube, etc.)
- Interactive live streaming
(Twitch Gaming, Facebook Live, Live Q&A)
- eSports
(both competitive and casual gaming)
Fig 8: Streaming Logos – Alex Castro (The Verge) 2020 [Illustration]

14. Consumer trends
The rise of the use of the internet as a part of our everyday experience shows no signs of slowing down.
In e-commerce specifically, some factors pushing the increase in online purchasing are:
• The increased use of smartphones and mobile shopping,
• Social media and social commerce,
• Transformative technology,
• Online marketplaces, and
• The way shopping behaviours have changed from generation to generation — Baby Boomers to Millennials to Gen Z.
In addition to these examples, consumer attitudes toward online shopping, consuming online streaming content, using video
conference software and working from home (due to the restrictive environment of Covid-19 lockdowns)
are shifting in a positive direction.
Ref: How Many People Shop Online? (Big Commerce) 2020 [Online Resource]

15. Summary
The growth of the Internet has brought about substantial change to our lives.
As technology advances, speeds and data volumes increase, the Internet will further integrate itself into daily life.
Whether you are streaming content, finding your closest retailer, buying products online or tracking your fitness goals, the Internet will
be there to facilitate it.