The Public Utility Commission this week launched a mobile-friendly version of www.PAPowerSwitch.com, the agency’s website with information on shopping for electric suppliers, consumer alerts and information, educational videos and more.

“The variable rate issue this winter has brought higher traffic to PAPowerSwitch – both overall and with mobile users – and this is one more thing we’re doing to make it easier for consumers to navigate the competitive market,” said PUC Chairman Robert F. Powelson. “We want to help as many consumers as possible.”

The new mobile version makes it easier for consumers to navigate the website and even switch their electric suppliers from their smartphone or tablet, rather than a desktop or laptop computer.

Through monitoring PAPowerSwitch traffic data, the PUC saw a high number of mobile visitors landing on a page and then leaving, without clicking through to other pages. Mobile visitors are immediately exiting the website at a significantly higher rate than desktop users.

Year-over-year traffic data shows that mobile usage of PAPowerSwitch increased 100 percent from March 2013 to March 2014.

On a broader level, the number of total internet users in North America accessing the web from a mobile device is estimated to rise from 57.9 percent in 2013 to 64.3 percent this year – according to a report by eMarketer – and to 79.2 percent by 2017.

In addition to releasing a mobile-friendly website, the PUC has made numerous additions and updates to the site’s content since January in order to educate consumers on hot-button issues regarding electricity.

Topics that were added or revamped include variable and fixed rate contracts, consumer choices and rights, questions to ask suppliers when shopping, what to do at the end of a contract and more.

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4/21/2014