Web Browser Wars

December 26, 2008 in Technology with 13 Comments

Earlier this week, I did a little analysis using Google Analytics to determine what web browsers people are using to access my site. Here’s the current breakdown:

  1. Internet Explorer (41% of visitors)
  2. Firefox (39%)
  3. Safari (16%)
  4. Chrome (2%)
  5. Other (2%)

What’s interesting is to compare these stats to what the picture looked like a little more than a year ago. Here are the numbers from August 2007:

  1. Internet Explorer (63%)
  2. Firefox (27%)
  3. Safari (10%)

Clearly Explorer is losing ground fast. I happen to use Firefox on my PCs and Opera on my mobile phone. I ditched Explorer a couple of years ago. I also have Chrome on my PCs and use it from time to time; however, I love Firefox and all its add-ons.

Are you one of the folks that switched browsers within the last year. If so, why?

13 Responses to “Web Browser Wars”

  1. Leo Wurschmidt December 26, 2008 at 11:08 am #

    I have been using FF for about five years now. Like you said, the add-ons are great. They just make FF the complete web browser for me. I have been on a friends “grass roots” mission to get all my friends to jump on board with FF.

  2. Augie Freda December 26, 2008 at 11:24 am #

    How are you, Tony! Yup, I made the switch about 9 months ago or so and have never looked back. Although, I never really used IE (always a Netscape user), I had to for some sites/applications. Since finding the IE Tab add on, I’ve given up on IE altogether.

  3. Sully December 26, 2008 at 11:29 am #

    I did make the switch within the last year, but it was from Safari to FireFox. I changed when FireFox updated to version 3, which improved their look dramatically. I’m a designer so form needs to be emphasized before function some times.

  4. Melissa December 26, 2008 at 12:04 pm #

    IE was broken on my work computer about 6 months ago and I switched to firefox and loved it. Now I use it on all my computers. I will have to see what you all mean by “add ons”….I am a basic user.

  5. Rachel December 26, 2008 at 12:11 pm #

    I love using Chrome. It works how my mind thinks. It’s clean, and uncluttered and unlike IE, it doesn’t freeze every 10 minutes. The only problem is because it’s so new, several important sites I use don’t run anything other than IE which is annoying.

  6. ryan December 26, 2008 at 6:36 pm #

    FF is a must! I’ve been using FF for about 4 years. I hate IE. Be sure you get the ABP (AdBlockerPlus) add on. It eliminates all those annoying advertisements.

  7. Roger December 26, 2008 at 8:46 pm #

    No, I didn’t switch within the last year! I found IE was sub-standard many years ago. I also find through many (please help me) phone calls that people only use IE because it’s, 1.) It’s the default browser and 2.) They don’t know any better…their newbies! That would explain the stats your seeing. People spend more time on their computers, they learn more and subsequently, upgrade to better performing programs! — “You’ll never really know how nice a Lincoln is to drive if all you ever drive is a Toyota!”

  8. Marc Millan December 26, 2008 at 10:15 pm #

    I became a MAC user so Safari was just there, as I started to work on staff as a Worship Pastor many of the App’s I used would get stuck and most of the “tech guys” told me ..Dude switch to Firefox..everything works better.
    They were right.

  9. Mandi Presley December 27, 2008 at 10:38 am #

    I switched from PC to MAC this year to be able to use ProPresenter for our media at church. One switch leads to another. I have Firefox and Safari both on the machine, but I prefer Safari for its simplistic and stay out of the way design.

  10. Dave Sears December 27, 2008 at 11:18 pm #

    Hey Tony,
    This year, I dumped IE on all of my computers. We are now using FixFox and love it. We had way to many problems with IE, but FF has been great!

  11. Randy Wood December 28, 2008 at 12:33 am #

    I use FF and Chrome

    Do you see IE dying? And what is the future of new browesers like Chrome?

  12. Tre Lawrence December 28, 2008 at 8:32 pm #

    I am a Firefox feen. I recently threatened my mother with a ban from her grandchildren if she did not migrate IMMEDIATELY!

    For mobile, I generally browse with my BB browser; Opera Mini is an option for some websites, but not too often.

  13. kenneth April 6, 2009 at 2:04 pm #

    well I used to use FF and switched back to IE7. Just wanted you guys to know that not all of us who use IE7 are n00bs. FF & Chrome just dont do it for me…thought you want to see the other side of the argument.