We recently let the folks in the marketing group borrow the company’s Crystal Ball for some blog mini-series project they are working on. Evidently they didn’t read the owner’s manual. Of course those marketing types will deny that they were hot-rodding around town. But how else can you explain the opaqueness of the orb?

So our beloved window into the future will be in the repair shop at least through the holidays. And we are stuck making future predictions the old fashion way. Research.

We have scoured the Internet and compiled this list of interactive media trends that are sure to be top-of-mind for our business clients throughout 2011.

10. Online Video

People are watching online video in record numbers and trends indicate continued growth. Businesses take note. Your target audience is telling you something.

9. Online Advertising

Even though the marketing group is in hot water for fogging up our crystal ball, we must admit that they are right when they say web advertising is smart of small business.

8. Email on the decline

As a business tool email is indispensable. And for many years now it has been a very effective marketing tool. While we do not expect email to disappear in 2011, data does indicate a steady decline in its use. Tweet tweet.

7. Facebook Connect

User registration has historically been an obstacle for web site operators because a significant percentage of people simply will not fill out the form. Facebook connect enables users log in to a web site with their Facebook credentials. Demand for this feature will continue to grow this year.

6. Cloud Computing

Cloud is a metaphor for the Internet. Cloud computing leverages the resources of the cloud to perform a task. Dedicated servers are old school. The job of a server is distributed across the cloud. It’s a powerful idea that will grow in popularity in the coming year.

5. Tablets

Apple’s iPad has made the tablet computer mainstream. Seven million iPads were sold this year. Projections predict 57 million more iPads will be sold in the coming 4 years. Is your web site iPad friendly?

4. Groupon

What happens when your customers gang up on you? Deep discounts of course. Groupon recently turned down a five billion dollar offer. We expect them to show us why in 2011.

3. Location based services

Hollywood horror stories aside, GPS technology is taking us beyond TomTom’s and OnStar. In 2011, services like Foursquare will continue to enhance our lives in new and exciting ways. Word on the street is that the mayor of Chubby’s, Scott W, is actually Will Smith.

2. Social Media

Facebook has more users now than the entire Internet had just 10 years ago. The name of the game is reach. Facebook has it and everybody else wants it. While the big companies continue fighting for reach in 2011, small businesses should work to tap into that reach.

1. Smartphones

We believe the term smartphone is a bit of a misnomer. These things are really handheld computers with cell phone capabilities. With an expected 330 million units to be sold in 2011, smartphones are re-defining how people interact with interactive technologies. Is your web site smartphone friendly?