A report recently by Nielson Online indicates that readership of newspaper web sites continues to grow, and Q1 2010 was a record setting quarter with an average of 74.4 million unique visitors a month heading to newspaper web sites.

Furthermore, the report Site Matters: The Value of Local Newspaper Websites, commissioned by the Newspaper Association of America and conducted by Neilson Online shows that newspaper websites boast the following traits:

• High Value. Local newspaper Web sites are of very high value to consumers in terms of online local content. The key findings include the following:
  
  
  1. Local newspaper Web sites are the category most used for online local content.
  2. Local newspaper Web sites rank first among all sources for trustworthiness, credibility, and being the most informative place to find local content of all types – including news, information, entertainment, sports, and classifieds content.
• Ratings vary somewhat for certain demographic groups, but the overall rankings are consistently in favor of local newspaper sites.
• Trusted Source for Advertising. Consumers also consider local newspaper Web sites to be the most trusted source of online advertising, because the advertising on these sites is perceived to be more current, credible, and relevant to them.
• One site versus many. Local newspaper sites compete most closely with local TV station sites, but many local markets typically have only one local newspaper Web site.

The information is backed up by another report by comScore.

We have found similar in our analytical information.

In the last six months, we've seen, at www.maconcountytimes.com, a:

• 55% increase in unique visitors to more than 8,000 in April.
• More than 100% increase in visits to more than 19,200 in April.
• More than 100% increase in page views to over 77,000 in April.

It's clear that more people turn to our web site for news and information about Macon County. And that's why we work hard every single day - providing you with stories, photos, videos, blogs and more.

If there's something you wish to see in print on on this website, feel free to contact me and I'll see what I can do.

As always, I can be called at 666-2440 (office) or 670-6989 (cell), or you can e-mail me at cmorgan@heartlandpublications.com.