Why the world is neglecting Mac users

So the topic has sprouted up a few times the last two months about how some web sites just totally do NOT function on a Macintosh. I must admit that as a Macintosh user it’s disappointing to see how many times I am frustrated by the fact that some web sites don’t work on current Macintosh Internet browsers. I figured rather than starting out doing a ton of case studies on web sites that are clearly lacking when it comes to being usable and accessible to Macintosh users, I’d rather begin by putting this entire topic into perspective as to WHY some companies feel there’s no benefit to use technology that works on both PC and Macintosh platforms.

It’s all about numbers
Obviously, businesses like to please their customers, but they also must follow business models which are profitable. Right now, browsers statistics indicate that over 85% of the population uses a PC of some sort. Only about 4% of the population uses a Macintosh. And as much as those that have owned a Macintosh try to convince others what they’re missing out on, the truth is – it’s just easier and cheaper to own a PC.

Why 4% should matter
So companies certainly can claim that there’s no benefit to supporting Macintosh users because they are such a small fraction of the population. But in all honesty, 4% is actually a pretty big number of you think of the actual population. According to the current worldwide internet statistics, there are currently 1.1 billion total internet users. Do the math and that means there are close to 45 million Macintosh internet users. So for the thousands of web sites that don’t function on Macintosh – you’re losing out on a bigger part of the population than you realize that is as, if not more, dynamic, creative, and business minded as PC users.

Please don’t tell me the solution is use an older browser
In some cases, companies do try to remedy the situation by saying a web site will work on an older browser like Internet explorer or Netscape. In the case of Internet explorer, as popular as it might be, it currently is one the WORST internet browsers on a Macintosh. Why? Well, Microsoft not only stopped supporting it several years ago, but they have absolutely no intention to create a new browser for Macintosh. In fact, they encourage Macintosh users use the internet browser, Safari, instead. It’s also worth noting that Macintosh no longer ships with Internet explorer. On my computer every time it launches it locks up and will never open. So if a web site suggests a Macintosh User access a web site with Internet explorer, it’s highly likely that it was developed several years ago. In the case of the financial institution, Wells Fargo, they encourage users to use Netscape. Crazy, right? Which if statistics tell you anything, as of 2007 Netscape is no longer included in internet statistics. I’m still baffled why some web sites either aren’t accessible on any Macintosh internet browser OR they suggest these older browsers that are totally useless. It tells me that they either don’t have the time or knowledge to make a web site work on a Macintosh OR they merely haven’t updated their web site in years. Regardless of the excuse, it makes me wonder if companies really care about their users.

Do they really care?
Some companies do make the effort. In fact, there are a ton of web sites I use regularly that work on Macintosh browsers such as Safari or Firefox. So it’s not that it’s not possible. The questions to ask is – “Do they really care?” Most developers will claim that it’s such a pain to develop web sites for Macintosh browsers, especially those that have added functionality such as e-commerce. I know for a fact that there are millions of Macintosh users that are simply tired of the excuses and would love nothing more than be able to use some of these web sites that are currently useless to Macintosh Users.

Unfortunately this topic is certainly a huge debate between PC and Mac users. This is not a debate over Microsoft or Apple, which computer is better, or why a web site isn’t working on a certain browser. It’s a matter of making the internet more accessible to ALL web users. In my opinion, regardless of your platform, a web site should be accessible by some means with a CURRENT internet browser.

I’d certainly love to hear your thoughts on the topic.

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