A growing number of Utahns, like their national counterparts, are going online to get local phone numbers and addresses.
They're also increasingly using the Web to research products, check prices and locate places both online and in their community where they can buy what they want.That's all according to an Internet usability survey conducted by US WEST for its DEX online Yellow pages.
It found of those who use the Internet, 82 percent look up phone numbers and information more today than they did a year ago and 30 percent say they use it once a day or more. The survey was conducted by SWR Worldwide for uswestdex.com. Utah's numbers are similar in most respects to the national numbers.
According to the survey, it takes people as many as three years online to discover resources like local government Web pages, city guides or online directories.
But the finding Margaret McGuckin, vice president and general manager of US WEST's Internet and New Ventures group, finds most interesting is the increase in women using the Web's resources, especially to find local information.
"It's a huge change from three years ago when it was male-dominated."
She said they also found that, once the novelty of being on the Internet wears off, users tend to use it for practical purposes, from communicating by e-mail to researching products and making purchases. "They are doing less browsing and really going to areas and sites that can help. It becomes a tool."
The "next big wave," she said, will likely be an increase in using the Web to access services, such as scheduling appointments or to bid for work online.
"This could be a significant time saver for plumbers, carpet cleaners and others," McGuckin said. "They are often locally based and work out of their shop. I think they'll find a great opportunity to take advantage of what e-commerce can offer them. They can put information up on the Web about times they have available."
The survey indicates people are more open to the idea than they were a year ago. About 64 percent said they were "very" or "somewhat likely" to schedule doctor or dentist appointments online (59 percent in Utah). An equal number said they would make restaurant reservations online (62 percent in Utah), while slightly fewer said they'd order pizza online.
It's a matter of comfort level, according to Wendy Carver-Herbert, spokeswoman for US WEST DEX. When people have used the Internet for a while, they are more comfortable trusting it with transactions.
The survey was conducted as part of a relaunch of the company's Web site. The site boasts nearly 2.5 million visitors a month and claims to have the most accurate Yellow and White Pages listings of any online directory in US WEST's 14-state service area. Dex also provides Web site development and hosting, links to local businesses, e-mail links and information pages that are targeted to small- and mid-sized businesses.
The Web site can be found at uswestdex.com.