Each year, hundreds of new startups hit the web seeking attention, but few ever achieve the size of an Evernote, Dropbox, Facebook or Twitter. Last summer, Google launched its new network, Google+, which many consider the new darling of the social web. There are certainly growing implications of Google+ and how Google is integrating the fledgling network across all of its properties. However, there are other sites that shouldn’t be overlooked either.
The following is a shortlist of tech companies to watch in 2012:
Pinterest – By the end of 2012, in addition to tweeting, facebooking, and checking in, you will also be pinning your favorite web objects. Pinterest is a digital pinboard for things you love. Think of it as a more visual version of delicious.com. Except instead of tagging, users can create a pinboard about anything. Similar to other social networks, users can follow other people or specific pinboards of interest and repin items. Currently, access is by invite only, but with growing popularity the site is expected to open to everyone soon.
SCVNGR – The Google venture doesn’t have the community size like a Foursquare, with about 1 to 2 million users, but the experience is more immersive and engaging because it’s structured around challenges (aka gamification). To learn more about SCVNGR, here is a link to short video.
In addition, SCVNGR launched a variation of its network called LevelUp, which works with any phone (non-smartphones included). What makes LevelUp unique is the ability to sync any bank account and makes it easier for merchants to run a loyalty program. Users can pay using a code displayed on their phone and collect reward points. Since launching in late 2011 in select cities, the app has signed up more than 100,000 users with over 1,000 businesses and will branch out into other major cities in 2012.
Storify – Everyday, there are millions of uploads, tweets, news stories, images, and more added to the web. Storify makes it easy for brands to repurpose existing content and organize into a story. Using an easy search, click and drop interface, Storify makes it easy for anyone to use Tweets, YouTube videos, Links and more. It caught on with journalists in 2011, but brands can use this service to repurpose feedback from customers on the web. The Washington Post embedded a Storify within this article about Occupy Wall Street a couple of months ago.
Path – Conceived as an alternative to Facebook by limiting the number of friends you can have, Path unveiled a new design in 2011 by expanding the types of content that can be shared on the network. Limiting itself through a mobile application could hinder growth, but so much content uploaded via mobile device, this app/network could easily catch on.
Tumblr – In 2011, Tumblr’s growth exploded becoming one of the top social networks by reaching more than 40 million unique visitors in December, an increase of 142% from the previous year. Tumblr isn’t the newest player on this list, launching in 2007, but with such incredible growth I expect more brands to explore how to integrate it with other social marketing activities. The platform is a hybrid between a blogging platform and microblogging service allowing posts to include audio and video clips, text posts, images and quotes.
Photo Credit: jscreationzs
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