Online banking captures Kiwis

By BRIAN MILNES*

While usage patterns for major global and local internet sites remain relatively stable, activity at specialised sites indicates key shifts as New Zealanders continue to change the way they use the web.

This is particularly so with banking. Any remaining doubts about the willingness of New Zealanders to adopt online banking have been quashed by the latest data release from Nielsen/NetRatings on at-home use of the internet during July-August.

Westpactrust continues to climb, Up nine places from July, the bank's domain now ranks as the 39th most popular domain that New Zealanders access from home.

The finance sector reflects this surge in user activity. In August, the major online banks generated 1.8 million home-based page views, up from 1.5 million in July.

The increasing popularity of SMS messaging via cellphones is reflected in the audience numbers for at least one site this month - because of the growth of web-based text messaging. This web service is used to send text messages through the internet to any GSM mobile phone around the world.

One provider of this service is South African-based site, mtnsms. The Nielsen//NetRatings August data show this site to be New Zealand's stickiest, with surfers spending an average of 57 minutes a visit as well as visiting the site an average of eight times a month.

Links

Westpactrust

mtnsms.com