A new report from the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) shows that nearly three out of five Australians are shopping online, an increase of 53% over the past two years.

The report also shows that SMEs are increasingly using the internet as a key strategy for engaging with customers and 59% of SMEs now offer an online ordering service.

Cost and convenience key to online surge

AMCA's report reveals that 67% of people shop online because it is convenient to do so, while price was the primary factor for 47% of respondents.

Group buying sites continue to be popular with consumers, as does social media. 8.6 million Australians visited social networking sites such as Facebook in June 2011, up from 8 million in June 2010. The percentage of SMEs using social media to promote their business also rose.

Regional customers and high earners most prolific online shoppers

The greatest percentage of online shoppers, 70%, came from regional areas. People aged 35 – 44 were most likely to shop online.

Those earning over $150,000 a year and with a university degree were more likely to buy online.

Product

The report indicated that most popular websites for Australians to shop online are: eBay, Amazon, Woolworths and Gumtree.

Respondents were most like to buy computers and electronic goods (19%), food, groceries and alcohol (18%), clothes, sporting equipment and toys (12%) and software and apps (12%).

Travel goods, tickets and accommodation were the most popular categories for online purchases.

Going mobile

ACMA’s report shows that while 97% of respondents purchased from a computer, 4% bought via a mobile device.

The number of mobile, or m-commerce transactions is expected to grow as devices become more sophisticated and more digital commerce websites and apps are optimised for mobile and tablets.

Read the full report at the ACMA website.