A survey by Google has found that consumers in the UK are much more likely to buy online with their smartphones than other Europeans. 18 European countries were quizzed about their browsing habits by the search engine giant and the UK came out on top of mobile shopping.

In all, an impressive 32% of people in the UK reported to make a monthly purchase with their smartphones, in contrast with France, Germany and Sweden who had 8, 15 and 19% respectively.

Internet use in the UK was also shown to be on the rise. A staggering 83% of people in the UK reported to use the internet each day, rising from 75% last year. Similarly, the number of people using social networks has jumped from 64% in 2013 to 72% this year.

Perhaps most significant is the fact that Britons using smartphones to buy products has jumped from 72% to 77% in the space of a year.

Director of Performance Solutions & Innovation at Google, Ian Carrington, said:

“In the UK, people are increasingly using their smartphones for researching products, locating stores and making purchases. That’s why it is now essential for businesses to ensure their sites are mobile-ready.”

South-East based RS London, a company that regularly responds to industry research and news, echoed the sentiment of Google, reiterating the importance of mobile-ready websites.

A representative for the company said:

“The rise of people using their smartphones to shop online proves beyond doubt that a responsive website that is mobile-ready is an absolute must for retailers. It’s no longer enough to simply have a website; the website must be accessible on all platforms to get the best out of the internet.

“At RS London we have a team of creative designers and web developers who create responsive web designs that are mobile-friendly. We know from experience that a mobile-ready site can do wonders for any business.

“If you aren’t already gearing your website towards mobile and tablet browsers then you need to, because you could well be missing out on a substantial number of sales each month as people using their phones to shop simply can’t going to stick around on a website that doesn’t provide a straightforward shopping experience.”

RS London is a digital marketing agency with a passion for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay Per Click (PPC) and social media advertising. They provide a number of professional web-based services, including responsive web design and copy writing, and have years of experience in the industry. Visit the RS London website at www.websitemarketinglondon.co.uk for more information.

For quotes contact RS London at info@websitemarketinglondon.co.uk.