Can you imagine life before the Internet? Close your eyes for a moment and consider life before the internet. If you were born and grew up before the Internet, you probably don’t remember it. This task is simply impossible for a digital native.
Millennials, also known as digital customers, will never know a world without mobile devices and connectivity. Yes, there are still (small) areas of our planet that are not wired and cabled, but it is difficult to imagine a life before Google, Amazon, Apple, or Facebook, at least for those of us who live in developed countries. The Internet is still relatively young, but connectivity has already had long-term consequences. It all started with a phone line cable, and now we have the entire world in the palm of our hand. Checkout here the Jom Apply unifi fibre plan.
Here are the ways how the internet has changed the world:
- Research
- Where do you go when you want to learn more about a product or find an answer? Of course, Google. The Internet has become the primary source of information, and search engines have become the primary means of accessing it. You now have complete knowledge in your pocket thanks to the smartphone. The Internet has it all: education, essays, product comparisons, self-improvement tips, technical details, diets, do-it-yourself projects, and lolcats. If you are a brand, you must be present with relevant content.
- Communication
- Do you recall phone calls and letters? We have seen a complex evolution in how we connect with other people and with businesses. First, there were chat rooms and forums, and then, especially with the proliferation of smartphones, there were social networks and online communities. Face-to-face communication is still important, but we are increasingly relying on large circles of strangers to decide what to do and buy. Communication in the mobile era is about establishing networks.
- Shopping
- The success of Amazon, eBay, and other online marketplaces indicates that visiting a physical store to make a purchase is no longer required. Shopping for a specific item appears to be a multi-channel journey: you can see a product in-store, search for information online, compare prices between retailers, make the purchase in-app, and pick it up in-store. The retail industry’s disruption always implies a redesign of the retail customer experience.
- Travelling
- Not long ago, the concept of discovery was at the heart of travel. Is it still there? Nowadays, you can learn everything there is to know about a location before leaving your house. And planning has never been so simple or inexpensive: Websites provide information, mobile apps provide real-time discounts and offers, and virtual reality provides a full 3D immersion. Even when you’re there, mobile technology is at your disposal: Uber for cheap transfers, Airbnb for cheap stays, Google Maps for directions, and TripAdvisor for gourmet restaurants. Who needs travel agencies nowadays?
- Entertainment
- Remember going to the video store to rent a VHS, hoping that the movie you wanted wasn’t already taken? That was in the past. The Internet has everything you need in one place, and you rarely need something physical (such as a DVD) to enjoy it. With the introduction of smart TVs and the next generation of gaming consoles, all you need is a connection to watch movies (Netflix), listen to music (Spotify), watch sports, or access personalized content on-demand.