Looking back over the last year, many memorable things have happened.  Technology advances and changes have transformed how we rely on technology and services that people offer.  Businesses have literally started overnight because they can offer their services online; new advancements in technology and the overall availability to consumers have changed our business environment forever.

Looking back on some of last year's notable trends....

GOOGLE:
Google’s enhancements in technology have paved the way for the rest of us. They continue to change the way we live. In 2011 they launched Panda, which is an update to Google's search results ranking algorithm.  Panda had a huge impact on SEO companies and websites around the world because it forces people to create fresh, relevant content and to only maintain quality links. Businesses can no longer use software to write their articles or use article spinning to create duplicate content across the Internet, creating 100’s of backlinks with just that one article. Google gives credit to those who take their time and put good, authentic content on the Internet.

Not only has Google changed the way websites are placed (or indexed), but they are also changing the user experience. Google provides localized results when it feels it is necessary by automatically finding your location or using your account information. 97% of consumers search for businesses online and Google wants to make sure the end user gets locale search results when they're looking for you!

Google also continues to develop platforms and gadgets that make it easier to use our smartphones and tablets for just about everything. Google’s Android operating system dominates a majority of the mobile market share and continues to grow.

With all the good Google has to offer......it can’t be all things to everyone. The Google+ didn’t take off as hoped; mainly because people are committed to Facebook.  Bing has increased that commitment with their Facebook-Enhanced results which improve upon their search result quality with both the data of a user's friends and the Facebook user base at large. 

APPLE:
With the passing Steve Jobs, the innovator of technology, what will happen to Apple? He was a key figure in changing the way people use the Internet and how they listen to music, watch TV shows and movies and read books.  Apple has made a fortune off of creating innovations. Luckily the innovations Jobs created are years before their time, but without that type of brilliance in the technology field, where does that leave Apple? Where does that leave technology?

THE CLOUD:
In 2011, the cloud was all the hype. While remote computing is nothing new, the buzz has businesses thinking of a new way to operate. Cloud computing has advanced and there are more options available today than ever before.  More businesses are minimizing their own infrastructure and relying on “Vendors” to store, backup, and handle their data and applications. Google brought cloud computing to the everyday user and others, while new players such as Microsoft are coming on strong with their cloud versions for businesses, not to mention the thousands of other businesses offering their applications in the cloud.

SOCIAL BUSINESS:
The social media platform has provided a new marketplace for businesses to interact, sell, and market to their audience. Many companies are growing their market share through Facebook and create entire marketing campaigns to drive consumers to 'Like' them on Facebook. It is no longer enough for a B2C company to have a website; you have to have a Facebook account too! 

With this open forum for consumers to talk about products and share their feedback, online Reputation Management has emerged as a service to help companies manage how they are perceived online. As more businesses see the value in having a presence in these online communities, the landscape will continue to change.

GROUPONING:
Group Buying has skyrocketing in 2011. Subscribers are signing up by the millions. Consumers get a great deal and businesses are acquiring new customers. Groupon not only said NO to the purchase by Google, but has gone International, buying up competitors around the globe. Local sites are popping up and couponing is now a verb. The Internet has given users the ability to get great deals quickly and easily and provide businesses a new way to gain customers.

SOCIALIZE FOOD:
We have seen an explosion in food related websites and applications. With the location services knowing where you are and what is around you more people are using their devices to find good food, get deals and share their experiences. Restaurant review sites have blown up this year, making it easy to learn everything you want to know about a restaurant from real people.

TABLETS:
2011 may be known best as 'The Year of the Tablet'.  Tablets were the hottest new thing last year. They are part of a growing transformation in computing; mobility, ease-of-use and a depth of functionality....all at our fingertips.  The touch pad gives us a new way to control what we see. It offers everything a smartphone has (without the phone).  Simply put, these devices are a new instrument in technology that is capturing the imagination of consumers and businesses alike based on what it can offer.