Forecasting the future has traditionally been the job of gypsies, soothsayers, and fortune tellers.  But these days it seems like almost everyone has a vision of the future.  According to AZCentral, Google has taken a peek into it's magic ball and has seen a future dominated by online business transactions.

Specifically, Google VP Nikesh Arora is predicting that at least 40% of the world's business transactions will be conducted online in less than ten years.  Citing widespread adoption of broadband internet access and consumer desire for convenience, Arora points out that although the number of people online worldwide is generally considered to be less than a quarter of the total population, that minority controls close to 90% of the world's spending money.

That means big business for online business.

Even if Arora's magic ball was cloudy and his figure of 40% is an overshot, there's still huge growth ahead for everyone.  Or at least the potential for growth.  All of the predictions in the world won't help if website owners and marketers don't jump on the relative newness of the opportunities the internet offers in the coming years.

That's why staying on top of trends, technologies, and opportunities is so important.  If you don't keep at least one ear to the ground, the next big thing will be old news by the time you hear about it.

And no one likes old news.