Weather Affects Internet Traffic and Sales

Traffic and sales are likely to be slow while these major storms are hitting. They have two affects on Internet usage. First, those in affected areas often have to shut down and unplug to avoid computer damage from lightening strikes.

I shut down last night early in the evening just before the storm hit and it was still going strong until sometime well into the early morning hours. There is another round predicted for this evening and wind is already starting to pick up. The storm yesterday included the longest lasting and most severe lightening and thunder I've ever seen.

Even the newscasters who normally stand outside in gale force winds to do their broadcasts stayed in their vehicles yesterday. They reported that there was so much lightening hitting the ground that it was unsafe to get out.

My best monitor refused to power up after a minor storm a few days ago that wasn't even close so I don't want to take any chances and will shut down and unplug at the first sign of lightening headed my way. Obviously so will others so if someone is off-line they're unlikely to be buying.

There are ongoing reports and video of tornado damage and storms online and off. Many are more interested in monitoring the weather in case it hits them or someone they know. This is the second way storms affect Internet sales.

Sales are also always slower during the various weeks schools and colleges are out for Spring Break. Many people travel or vacation. Others visit people who might otherwise be online shopping. Some areas of the country have Spring Break the middle of March while others take it the weeks before and after Easter.

If advertisers would like to share general information regarding how their traffic and sales are in response to posts like the above feel free to do so.

It can be helpful to know that other advertisers are indeed seeing slower than usual traffic or sales during any particular time period.

We've noticed that as the weather gets warmer, our traffic during the weekends decreases.

Yes, that is true as well. When the weather is beautiful Saturdays will be particularly weak. When the weather is awful more people will stay home and shop online.

How much this affects an individual site depends on how widespread the good or bad weather is. We always must keep in mind that we sell nationally, or Internationally so causes outside our immediate area affect us.

Any major televised event will also affect traffic and sales. The more immediate and compelling it is the stronger that effect will be.

The weather is a big factor on sales, rather it's online or offline. I used to work at a Best Buy and we would do a "rain dance" to bring down the rain during summer, because when it's sunny outside nobody comes and when it rains, the stores are jam packed.

Online it's the same thing, rain doesn't online bring the rain, it brings the $$$

Global brands must be able to track these effects on a global basis.

Have any released any data?

If they have I haven't come across it. Weather and most events will affect global brands the least. Only an event like 9-11 is likely to cause lower traffic and sales globally.

If there is any published data, the major research companies are the most likely source.