Gumtree classifieds more accessible for users on the go
A NEW SURVEY reveals the need for Australians to have internet access on the move, as one in five now use a mobile phone to surf the internet.
Almost 20% (19.6%) of those surveyed by free online classifieds website Gumtree.com.au* revealed that they access the internet via mobile phone due to the ease, accessibility and quality now available through ‘smartphones’ such as the iPhone or Blackberry.
Indicating the demise of the internet café, just 6% of those polled in the survey use an internet café to browse online. In addition, a third (33%) of all respondents log on to the internet on their work PC.
The survey results are revealed as Gumtree.com.au launch a free iPhone application called ‘iGumtree’ that will allow its 750,000 monthly visitors to access its free, online classifieds service on the go.
It appears to be a savvy move as research** reveals the cult status of the iPhone in Australia. The Apple iPhone now holds a 21% share of the ‘converged device’ market, driving Apple to 2nd place behind Nokia and just ahead of Blackberry.
Brian Shanahan, Gumtree MD of local classifieds said: “The one in five statistic and the rapid growth in popularity of the iPhone, only confirmed our decision to develop a free application which is available from the Apple app store for iPhones. It gives the Gumtree community the opportunity to use our free classifieds service anywhere and spreads our message to an even wider audience.
“The very essence of Gumtree.com.au is about building and connecting local communities throughout Australia, it therefore lends itself to portable access. So whether it’s looking for a family dining table, hunting for a new flatmate, selling your car or adopting a pet – you can now do it from absolutely anywhere for free.
“Our user surveys reveal a lot about the habits of the Gumtree community and it helps us to tailor and consistently modify our free classifieds service to meet the needs and wants of our local community sites throughout Australia.”
For more information on the iGumtree application, go to gumtree.com.au, or download it direct from iTunes (search for Gumtree).
* Research carried out among 1587 adults Australia-wide during the month of October 2009 by Gumtree.com.au (results on request)
**Source: Research by IDC http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prAU22037509, 12 October 2009
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For more information about Gumtree.com.au and any press enquiries, please contact:
Lorna O’Neill / Polkadot PR / 02 9281 4190 / lorna@polkadotpr.com.au
Notes to Editors:
Launched in Sydney in 2005, Gumtree has quickly become Australia’s leading online classifieds website attracting over 750,000 unique visitors a month (Nielsen NetView, Sept 2009). Gumtree.com.au is like your local noticeboard and was created to help people connect with others in their local area and find everything they need to live their life – whether that be a new job, a place to rent, furniture for the home, a car to buy, a family pet, a nanny for the kids or a local sports team to join.
As a faster, easier and more convenient alternative to other costly sites, Gumtree is free and offers everything you need in your local area.
From its beginnings in 2000 as a London classifieds for Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans, Gumtree has grown massively over the past nine years. It now covers over 72 cities in 11 countries around the world, from the U.K. to Poland, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia.
In Australia, there are 10 ‘local gums’, including Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Tasmania, and two recently launched sites for Darwin and the Gold Coast.
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