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Recent reports have drawn attention to increased business investment directed towards online success; with big names investing particularly in search engine optimisation. This comes following a number coming forward to reveal their online optimisation plans; such as the well-known retailer Furniture Village. This business has announced a new focus on SEO and a renewed digital strategy. It is part of a wider trend of eCommerce and online retail changes to maximise custom set to be big in 2016; something SEO expert Ranking Solutions was keen to comment on.

Statistics reported by the prominent search engine Google have emphasized the importance of having a mobile-ready and therefore properly responsive website; especially when looking to progress as a business in 2016. The figures show that 67% of people on a mobile expressed that they were more likely to buy a service or product from a site which was mobile-friendly. This emphasizes that many consumers take the responsiveness (i.e. mobile suitability) of a site as a crucial indicator of quality and reputation. In turn, the best businesses are expected to ensure that their online presence fully caters more mobiles and Smartphones too.

Recent statistics released by IDC have drawn attention to the growing global use of Smartphones and in turn the importance of businesses with an online element realising the importance of Smartphone audiences. Figures show that by the end of 2016, more than 2 billion people are expected to be regularly using Smartphones or tablets.

According to recent research gathered by Business2Community, 18% of localized searches on the internet generate a sale within one day. This is a considerable figure as it suggests that the element of locality plays a role in allowing for speedier profits. After all, general internet searches tend to take much longer to lead to an actual sale (just 7% of non-local searches lead to a sale within a day) – so savvy businesses will likely be making the most of local in 2016. One way this can be implemented is through strategic digital marketing and targeted SEO, a service provided by industry experts such as Ranking Solutions.

A recent survey, conducted by Levin Management has revealed some interesting figures regarding how retailers engage and boost business online. According to those surveyed, social media is the most commonly used technology platform for standing out online with 69.2% using at least one site (such as Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus). Another popular area was internet advertising and PPC services utilized by 37.5% whilst a key expected area of growth is SEO optimization such as Google Ad words at 13.3%. Although this percentage appears low, the level of discussion around SEO right now is high; especially because Google's planned Penguin 4.0 algorithm update has not yet taken place – giving businesses with a website the chance to optimize before the new year.

The search engine Google regularly applies new algorithmic updates, in order to test websites in its rankings and ensure their validity. It was expected that the latter-half of 2015 would see the latest Penguin 4.0 update take place, but Google has recently announced that it will now take place next year. This could suggest the changes are going to be even bigger than first expected and therefore businesses with a website must optimise their sites in advance, so they can avoid penalties and still rank highly in the SERPS (Search Engine Results Pages).

The results of important research highlights that 50% of search terms - queries typed into the search engines – are 4 words or longer. The research was carried out by KoMarketing and suggests that searches therefore may not be entirely keyword driven; with people typing in longer pieces of information. Increased awareness of this is expected to highlight that marketers perhaps need to move away from single keyword optimisation, and instead focus on what people will be actually searching for.

Since its launch 6 months ago, Apple Music has gained 6.5 million paying subscribers. It's now being developed to work on Android phones. The app has been launched in beta and aims to bring Apple Music to everyone. It's the first proper attempt Apple has taken to make one of its own apps available on Android. There is an app made by Beats for the Beats Pill Speaker and a 'Move to Android' app, but Apple Music is the first Apple branded app to make the move.

The concept of outer-space to many people is mind-boggling. Apple, the tech giant, has utilised the fact and is set to release a new advert during Monday night football for the new iPad Pro.

In a world where nobody stops to speak, but would rather text someone in the same room, online marketing is quickly becoming the most effective way to reach a huge audience. The amount of time we spend using technology far outweighs the time we indulge in other sociable activities where traditional methods would have been beneficial.