Fact: the internet is the most powerful tool in the world. ‘The first Google index in 1998 had 26 million pages’1 and now ‘the Indexed Web contains at least 12.72 billion pages (Wednesday, 06 February, 2013).’2
You can do virtually anything with it and the list is increasing at a mind-boggling rate.
Some of the more obvious things that we use the internet for are:
• Booking a flight
• Paying your bills
• Doing your Christmas shopping
• Finding quality English courses
Of course, it goes without saying that internet users must be careful and aware of the possible dangers involved when making payments online. Also, if you’re buying goods from a website, you can never guarantee that the quality will be as hoped for.
However, with tighter internet controls and more access to customer reviews and feedback, things are improving. Now there is a noticeable power shift from the companies selling the goods to the consumers.
Ebay is a prime example. If a seller has a bad rating, a buyer will look elsewhere. Just like if a hotel has a bad review, people will choose to stay in another hotel. This review-driven generation (AKA the ‘Share Economy’) that we are born into has not only given power to the consumer but added fierce competition to many industries.
Take airport parking as an example. One of the main reasons people chose to take the bus to the airport instead of driving is because airports charge an absolute fortune for parking. People have clocked on to this and a number of websites now advertise private parking at hotels nearby, driveways and garages for a fraction of the price (eg. www.parkatmyhouse.com, www.parkonmydrive.com). After using the site, users are asked to rate the parking space and overall service provided by owner.
There are also websites that are advertising rooms in people’s private homes, and even entire apartments and houses directly from the owner on a nightly and/or weekly basis. On Airbnb.com you can find private rooms in central London for as little as £10/night, and it also provides deluxe accommodation. Again, once people have stayed, they leave a review. If the review is not good, it deters others from staying there. While on the one hand, the concept of letting a stranger into your home goes against the old saying ‘don’t talk to strangers’, it also provides affordable accommodation for tourists and travelers alike.
Its effect on the local economy is supposed to be positive, too! ‘Airbnb commissioned a study of its economic impact on San Francisco last year and found a “spillover effect.” Because an Airbnb rental tends to be cheaper than a hotel, people stay longer and spent $1,100 in the city, compared with $840 for hotel guests; 14% of their customers said they would not have visited the city at all without Airbnb.’3
In today’s news, Airbnb are currently under fire by the authorities in Amsterdam and New York as they are accused of facilitating "illegal hotels". Click here to read more
What are your thoughts? Would you let a stranger into your house? Is this getting out of control or is this the way forward?
You can do virtually anything with it and the list is increasing at a mind-boggling rate.
Some of the more obvious things that we use the internet for are:
• Booking a flight
• Paying your bills
• Doing your Christmas shopping
• Finding quality English courses
Of course, it goes without saying that internet users must be careful and aware of the possible dangers involved when making payments online. Also, if you’re buying goods from a website, you can never guarantee that the quality will be as hoped for.
However, with tighter internet controls and more access to customer reviews and feedback, things are improving. Now there is a noticeable power shift from the companies selling the goods to the consumers.
Ebay is a prime example. If a seller has a bad rating, a buyer will look elsewhere. Just like if a hotel has a bad review, people will choose to stay in another hotel. This review-driven generation (AKA the ‘Share Economy’) that we are born into has not only given power to the consumer but added fierce competition to many industries.
Take airport parking as an example. One of the main reasons people chose to take the bus to the airport instead of driving is because airports charge an absolute fortune for parking. People have clocked on to this and a number of websites now advertise private parking at hotels nearby, driveways and garages for a fraction of the price (eg. www.parkatmyhouse.com, www.parkonmydrive.com). After using the site, users are asked to rate the parking space and overall service provided by owner.
There are also websites that are advertising rooms in people’s private homes, and even entire apartments and houses directly from the owner on a nightly and/or weekly basis. On Airbnb.com you can find private rooms in central London for as little as £10/night, and it also provides deluxe accommodation. Again, once people have stayed, they leave a review. If the review is not good, it deters others from staying there. While on the one hand, the concept of letting a stranger into your home goes against the old saying ‘don’t talk to strangers’, it also provides affordable accommodation for tourists and travelers alike.
Its effect on the local economy is supposed to be positive, too! ‘Airbnb commissioned a study of its economic impact on San Francisco last year and found a “spillover effect.” Because an Airbnb rental tends to be cheaper than a hotel, people stay longer and spent $1,100 in the city, compared with $840 for hotel guests; 14% of their customers said they would not have visited the city at all without Airbnb.’3
In today’s news, Airbnb are currently under fire by the authorities in Amsterdam and New York as they are accused of facilitating "illegal hotels". Click here to read more
What are your thoughts? Would you let a stranger into your house? Is this getting out of control or is this the way forward?
