Today I downloaded the Beta version of the all new Chrome browser . At Webtron we all run Mozilla Firefox and Explorer side by side, so here's my verdict from the coalface - Explorer vs Challengers.

Web administrators all over the world will have noticed over the last year total percentage of site traffic from Firefox browsers has steadily increased while Explorer browsing has been in corresponding decline. If you have a website just check your cpanel stats and I am sure you will see the rise of Firefox. From a standing start to perhaps around 15-30 % of all your browser traffic.

Why? The internet user profile is changing and we are all spending ever more time online. Partly we are becoming web savvier and far more accepting to adding user apps, like we do on social networking sites like myspace, facebook and now even YouTube. The user demands a little more than comes in the box these days.

We all have tastes and needs that the old 'cookie cut' approach doesn't cater for everyone. It was boring- this is interesting. Hence the great add on's we all use in social networking/new media have started to crossover into browsers. Adding these apps is easy on Firefox. Web designers around the world have already embraced add on apps long ago. And usually can be seen with toolbars full of interesting tools like Google Page Rank and any number of feeds/gadgets, running on Firefox. Why should they have all fun?

Also Firefox has many other great features, for example it is quicker and friendlier when pages are loading as it doesn't suffer the Explorer loading lags. And if you spend alot of time online you begin to notice and appreciate this.

Today I spent some time testing Google’s Chrome (Beta) on some more challenging Flash Video pages and the verdict for web video lovers is all good! Chrome (Beta) like Firefox already does, drive web designers to create more interesting and challenging pages.

However a word of caution for online marketers. Remember rule number 1; know how your target market accesses your site. If your online demographic is not working online everyday, not social networking savvy and wouldn't know how to change user defaults, chances are they will viewing your site on Explorer for sometime yet. So you need to always consider this. Much the same way as you should always consider how Mac users or if you work in government -website visitors with disabilities view your site.

At Webtron we believe browser competition is great for the internet as it leads to innovation. It has been one way browser traffic since Netscape (remember that name?) finally bit the dust.

But it's obvious an exciting ‘new wave’ is coming. Microsoft is no doubt working around the clock in its Seattle headquarters to show these new turks a thing or two. Meaning you can bet Explorer going forward will be incorporating bits of Firefox and Chrome type features. And perhaps Explorer updates will lead to a Microsoft fightback with even more user friendly creative browser innovation?

Therefore my verdict on Chrome like Firefox is that it is great for everyone!