Microsoft Increases Share of Web Server Market

Microsoft Corp.
is capturing a growing share of the Web server market and is widening its
lead over competing products from Netscape Communications Corp., according
to a study just released by market researcher SiteMetrics Corp.


The company’s survey of 53,000 Web operators in the United States found
Apache, Netscape and Microsoft — the top three Web server suppliers —
have all increased their market share since the first survey conducted in
February.


While the three companies now control a combined 83 percent of the market,
up from 78 percent in February, SiteMetrics said Microsoft appears to be
the primary beneficiary. SiteMetrics estimates Microsoft’s market share has
grown 6.4 percent. Overall, the free Apache server retains the lead with a
36 percent share, followed by Microsoft with almost 28 percent and Netscape
with 19 percent.


Although Netscape trails overall, the company appears to be doing a good
job at targeting large businesses. Netscape continues to be in the No. 1
spot among corporations with annual revenues of more than $1 billion with 33
percent of the market. Still, Netscape’s lead in this category is down from
47 percent in the February survey.


SiteMetrics also found a large number of Web operators switched server
software between surveys. More than 17 percent reported switching in the
last six months and 8 percent have switched in the last three months.


Microsoft made the largest gain among Web operators switching servers,
gaining 1,140 Web sites. Smaller server vendors were the biggest losers.


Glenda Anderson, president of SiteMetrics, attributes much the switching to
the increasing complexity of Web sites.


“As the corporate Web site increases in complexity, Web managers are forced
to reevaluate their server software choices,” she said.

Get the Free Newsletter!

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

News Around the Web