Rochdale Online audience grew significantly again in 2015

Photo: Journeaux

Pauline Journeaux - Rochdale Online Managing Director

The size of the Rochdale Online audience grew significantly again in 2015, from an already record high. An average of just under 162,000 unique users accessed the site every month in 2015 (source: Google Analytics) up from 144,000 per month in 2014.

December 2015 hit a record monthly high with an astonishing 282,000 unique users, reflecting the quality and extent of our coverage of the Boxing Day flood and our 24/7/365 operation, with daily news updates, even on Christmas Day.

Access via a mobile device is also at a record high with the percentage of site visitors using a mobile now over 63%.

Access via a tablet increased slightly, however, in a sign of the times, access via a desktop/laptop computer is now 20%, down from 75% just five years ago.

Five year growth (monthly unique users) 

• 2015 Average: 161,922
• 2014 Average: 144,680
• 2013 Average:  98,761
• 2012 Average:  72,072
• 2011 Average:  58,562

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/local/advertising/statistics

Commenting, Managing Director Pauline Journeaux, said: "Rochdale Online has had the largest audience in town for many years and it continues to grow - testament to the trust our visitors place in the news and information we gather for them.

"As a Rochdale-based family company that employs only people who live in the borough we are proud to be an integral part of our community and that we continue to contribute to the local economy.

"A big thank you to all our readers and advertisers for their continued support."

To put the statistics in context, one of the busiest websites in most towns is that of the local council, helped considerably by a captive audience using council sites to pay charges, bills and fines.

The Rochdale Council website has been recognised as one of the best council websites in the country for three years running, however, the Rochdale Online website attracts almost double the number of unique users.