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Silver Surfing

It’s never too late to get online says Claire Love-Jones of Local Web Solutions.

When I first introduced my grandmother to the internet, she told me it was “just amazing”.  It wasn’t dissimilar to the way I felt when watching a friend’s daughter happily tapping away on my computer with more confidence than some so called ‘net savvy’ adults. I first used a computer when I was seventeen, so being shown the very latest children’s website by a five-year-old was enlightening – and, quite frankly, a bit scary!

With two new clients over 60, and with customer bases that are predominantly the baby boomer generation, I investigated further into the world of the so-called silver surfers.  It turned out to be an interesting experience and one that proves business owners who fail to acknowledge the online power of this generation are missing a trick – and an expensive one at that, because 80% of the country’s wealth is held by people aged 50 or over.  

According to statistics, about 16 per cent of over-65s use the internet. The over-50s account for more than 30% of the total time that we spend on the internet in the UK. Going online has opened doors to a whole new social scene, playing games such as bingo and poker and even looking for love.  Popularity has grown on a new breed of social networking sites - when SAGA launched a trial run of its Saga Zone website over 13,000 people signed up!  Thrifty bargain hunters enjoy the online auction site Ebay.  In this globally mobile era, it’s no wonder that 43% of the over 55s use the internet to stay in contact with, or search for, friends and relatives.

P&O Cruises now have internet cafes - and during the day you’ll struggle to bag yourself a space on one of their computers.  Hold fire on the deck quoits and join the queue to enrol on their internet basics and how to use email  courses.

But another survey showed that many over 50s feel alienated by our digital age. West Sussex County Council are just one of many organisations offering courses for the mature user on how to get started.

There’s much more to life than the internet – of course there is. But if it’s something that you’ve been wondering about, give it a try. You certainly won’t be alone!

Claire is Managing Director of Local Web Solutions. This talented Sussex based team provide great looking, business generating websites, as well as marketing and graphic design. Whether you want a simple one page site or an online shop with all the latest features, they can help. Claire and her team can answer all your website questions – and you won’t need a degree in gobbledygook to understand the answers.

Call 01903 785568 or email claire@localwebsolutions.co.uk

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