There have been significant changes in the way people connect to the Internet in recent years. In 2011 almost half of Internet users connected to the Internet, using a mobile phone, while away from the home or office. There were 17.6 million mobile phone Internet users in 2011, representing 45 per cent of Internet users, compared to 8.5 million users (23 per cent) in 2009.

The use of wireless (wi-fi) hotspots also increased markedly with 4.9 million people using hotspots at hotels, restaurants, airports etc, compared to 0.7 million people in 2007.

As the graph shows, youngsters are the most likely to access the web from a mobile device

Social networking proved to be the most popular activity among 16 to 24 year old Internet users in 2011, with 91 per cent saying they took part in social networking on websites such as Facebook or Twitter. However, this was not an activity limited to the younger age groups, with almost one fifth (18 per cent) of Internet users aged 65 and over indicating that they participated in social networking. Overall, social networking was more popular among women, at 60 per cent, than men, at 54 per cent.

Men were more likely to participate in professional networking over sites such as LinkedIn in 2011, with 16 per cent of male Internet users having used this online facility compared to just 9 per cent of women. It was most popular among those aged 25 to 34, with 18 per cent using these sites.

Using the Internet to sell goods or services, for example via auction sites such as eBay, saw large growth in 2011. Over 12 million people, at 31 per cent of Internet users, sold goods or services online, compared to 7.9 million (21 per cent) in 2010. Just under half of those aged 25 to 34 (45 per cent) used the Internet for this activity.

Just over one in five (21 per cent) Internet users made telephone or video calls online in 2011. This activity is one which is not dominated by a specific age group, with older age groups showing similar patterns of use to the younger age groups. Of those aged 65 and over, 17 per cent used this technology, compared to 22 per cent of those under 24.

In 2011, 32 million people (66 per cent of all adults) purchased goods or services over the Internet. This was an increase from 62 per cent in 2010.

Clothes/sporting goods were the most popular online purchase in 2011, with 46 per cent of Internet users buying these items. Half of female Internet users (50 per cent) purchased clothes/sporting goods online in 2011, the most popular purchase by women by some margin.

While clothes/sporting goods were also the most popular purchase by men, at 43 per cent of Internet users, this was closely followed by films/music at 40 per cent.

Those aged 65 and over were the only age group not to report clothes/sporting goods as the most popular purchase. Instead, 29 per cent of Internet users in this age group favoured the online purchase of ‘other travel arrangements’ which includes flights, car hire and other transport tickets. Holiday accommodation was also popular, with over a quarter (26 per cent) of this group using the Internet to book this.

Many people are now running their businesses through their smartphones. Yet try browsing some different companies websites and the majority will take an age to load, and even longer to navigate. This can lose you potential business. To see the difference between a mobilised website and a standard one look here.