Fresh data shows digital cameras, mobile phones and Apple products were the most price researched during 2011.

Getprice, the comparison shopping website, says 2011 was “all about technology for shoppers”, with digital cameras and mobile phones the two most searched categories across the entire year.

And by product, the iPhone was the most researched, followed by the iPad and the iPod Touch. Macbook ranked fifth, with only tyres breaking Apple’s domination.

Getprice says the iPhone was the most popular search term through January to July, with the iPad surpassing it in popularity in later months, reflecting growing consumer interest in the tablet since the release of the iPad 2 in late March.

Getprice GM Matt Rigney says the data shows consumers are becoming increasingly tech savvy.

“We are entering the digital age. Technology increasingly plays an active role in every aspect of our lives.

“Certainly, the impact of technology in our purchasing behaviour can be seen in our increasing use of mobiles for shopping. Many consumers now use their mobile phone to not only purchase products online, but to compare prices in-store,” said Rigney.

Top 10 most popular search terms:

1. iPhone
2. iPad
3. iPod Touch
4. Tyres
5. Macbook
6. Rapid Loss
7. Nespresso capsules
8. Car battery
9. Mattresses
10. Hot water system

Top 10 most popular search categories:

1. Digital cameras
2. Mobile phones
3. Televisions
4. Camera accessories
5. Vitamins and Nutrition
6. Power tools
7. Laptops
8. Outside & active
9. Skin care
10. Tablet

Other key trends for 2011:

• Dieting supplement, Rapid Loss became a huge hit in searches during January and February, suggesting that people were focused on looking great for the beach season.
• Gas heater systems and electric blankets were highly trendy during the months of June, July and August as the weather cooled.
• Weber BBQs and power tools were especially popular during the month of September, indicating that children may have been searching for gifts for Dad on Father’s Day.

Rigney says one key point to take away from the data is that it reinforces the perception that consumers “shop according to the season”.

“Purchasing behaviour can often be strongly influenced by seasonal changes. This impact can especially be seen in leisure related items such as sun lounges, garden tools, BBQs and trampolines only being searched for at certain times of the year.”

With a broad range of items appearing in Getprice’s 2011 most searched list, this shows that just about any product can now be purchased online.

“Australia is evolving to become a more mature e-commerce market and one that is now driven by all product categories and not just the old favourites such as Books and DVDs,” said Rigney.