Internet users spend less than one minute per page (0:52) while surfing, reinforcing the need for companies to quickly grab the attention of visitors.

According to data released today by Nielson, the average U.S. internet user visited 105 web sites in March, viewing a total of 2,437 web pages.

The data shows surfers access the internet on average twice per day for a total of nearly 20 hours (19:42) per month of online-time. These latest numbers are a combination of at-home and at-work internet access.

Internet users spend less than one minute per page (0:52) while surfing, reinforcing the need for companies to quickly grab the attention of visitors. "In our experience, you have less than 4 seconds to get a visitor's attention," said Roy Griffaw, founder, president and CEO of RTOonline.com (www.rtoonline.com), the leading trade website for the rental-purchase and leasing sector. "After initially grabbing the visitor's attention, you have another 5 seconds to convince them that your site offers value. Internet users are online for a reason - they want information quickly. Rent-to-own companies can increase their value to visitors by being succinct and featuring popular merchandise or special offers with a quick call-to-action available from any page."

According to Nielson, the average time spent per page is falling, down .6% form February.

According to Griffaw, "there is a 9 second 'window of opportunity' during which time a visitor will make a judgment on the value of an entire website based on the first page they see. Life online is no different than real-life. First impressions are easy to make but impossible to change. The length of time between visits will double every time a person is dissatisfied with a site's value."