It may not come as a surprise, but Google Chrome is the most popular web browser currently in use. According to multiple tracking sites, including W3Counter, Chrome has over 58% of usage share as of January 2017. Safari is a distant second at 13% followed by Firefox (10%) and Internet Explorer/Edge (8%). Chrome’s increase in popularity has come directly at the expense of Internet Explorer.
Following its introduction on Windows operating systems, Google ported Chrome to Android, iOS, and OS X, in order to, increase market share. To further increase usage, Google launched its own operating system, Chrome OS, in July 2009. The primary use case for Chrome OS is as a cloud-based thin client which relies almost exclusively on the Chrome browser.
Microsoft has admittedly been slow to adapt to user behavior shifts towards mobile and cloud-based apps. This week they announced Windows 10 Cloud may be released to the public in April 2017. Windows 10 Cloud would give Microsoft a low-cost/free solution to compete with Chrome OS and Linux-based alternative operating systems. Similar to Chrome OS, most of the apps will run in the web browser. This should help Microsoft regain some market share for its Edge browser.
Why does this matter to digital marketing agencies? Web developers should always stay on top of browser usage trends to make sure the most frequently used browsers are fully supported. User Interface design and User Experience are critical to website conversion rates. Digital marketers should also be involved in the development process to ensure marketing communications are effectively deployed across browsers.
Do you want your website to be a positive reflection of your business? Kraus Marketing specializes in website design, marketing, and branding. Our team of creative professionals can create an updated, responsive website. Our websites are built on content management systems (CMS), such as WordPress. Contact our team for more information.