As we wind down 2010 I am often asked what predictions Dinkum has for web / SEO / mobile marketing in 2011. We believe in only one thing for sure – things will continue to evolve. For the first time in history, the buyers have the power, and the buyers’ actions have not gotten to the point where they are predictable.

There are, however, things we can glean from what we see and I will give you what has become known as “Rick’s opinion”. Never one to shy away from giving my opinion – sometimes even when not asked (see my daughters for that explanation) – let me attempt to give you what I see.

Prediction #1 – The phone as the ultimate gadget for everything. The mobile device, smart phone, iPhone, whatever you want to call this device we are all carrying around with us, will make every attempt to have a huge impact in 2011. What we currently see as uses for our phones is just the tip of the iceberg. MANY many more things will be tied to the device and for most of them you will still be able to make calls and, let us not forget, texting as well. What I see is more things happening with our devices as we pass, for example, stores having sales; our phones might be telling us that as we pass by. Our phones might finally enable us to easily pay for things as mundane as parking or a soda from a vending machine.

I believe the major difference that needs more attention is that the phone will evolve to a point where less time will be spent on your laptop and more with the phone itself. That impact will be felt in how your website looks on the device to a review of what your call to action might be now that you already have someone with phone in hand. I believe 2011 will be the year most will be having a mobile device version of their website.

Prediction # 2 – Video. While having been touted for so long, will finally be a part of most websites. If not yet, it should be. The net will increasingly become video in nature. One of the side products has been the proliferation of video emails (not a big fan) to a video on your site just explaining what you do. The comment I think is important here. Just because you can do your own video does not mean you should. Once it was possible to do a brochure yourself we all quickly learned that professionals still know what they are doing and it’s worth engaging them. Video is the same. Get a professional to help you. We have one of the best, but I could be biased.

Prediction #3 – Give the people what they want. Finally the last shift is more movement towards what buyers want from the sellers. They want reviews, they want to interact with someone instead of a computer. If you have not figured out how to use some of the tools still affectionately called social media tools then you better figure it out. The way products and services were bought over the past 50 years is changing and more information is available from sources outside your influence – better find what they are, who they are and what they have to say about you, your company and your industry because you will be held to it.

I have more thoughts on other directions I believe the internet is going but I am really interested in what you have to say. What do you see as major changes in 2011?

Rick Simmons is a principal at Dinkum Interactive, a firm specializing inonline marketing solutions for small and medium sized businesses around the globe. With more than 25 years of experience in advertising and marketing, Simmons has spent the last four years focused on search engine optimization, and other Internet marketing strategies. Reach him at 267-626-9094 or rick@dinkuminteractive.com.