Well it really has been one hell of a year. 2009 had already been feted as the year that businesses started to [embrace online video](http://www.visiblegains.com/blog/bid/27757/Digital-Marketing-Survey-Results), as a digital means of marketing and became so as Internet users lapped up video in [greater volume than ever](http://www.reelseo.com/september-video-viewing-2009/).
The year started for vzaar with the unveiling of our new player and a [pricing model](http://vzaar.com/pricing) built around consumption. We hold the philosophy that making our features available to all paying customers is the best way to drive adoption and also loyalty so in early **January** we brought to market our [Search Enhancer](http://vzaar.com/features/search_enhancer) feature, built to help publishers improve the visibility of their videos in search. **February** and we learn that vzaar had been approved for the eBay Selling Manager Applications program. Great news indeed – now we just needed to put in those extra hard yards!
**March**, and at [ChannelAdvisor's UK Catalyst event](http://www.channeladvisor.co.uk/catalyst/) we announce the first our [API partnerships](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/03/frooition-partners-with-vzaar) as the template providers [Frooition](http://frooition.com), make adding video to their templates easier than ever via vzaar. At the same event vzaar are invited to speak on [Turning Buyers Into Browsers](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/04/turning-browsers-into-buyers—technology-to-maximise-conversions). It is clear from those attending the event that video remains an ambition for many, but realising the time and budget in a tough economical climate remains a hurdle.
**April**, and we continue to release new features based around the continual development of our video player. First come [multi size players](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/04/vzaar-is-the-first-video-hosting-service-to-offer-users-multiple-video-player-sizes), swiftly followed by an [MP3](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/06/new—stream-audio-files-podcasts) version of our player which allows audio to now be streamed.
**June** comes and there is a new face at vzaar HQ as Balint joins the [team](http://vzaar.com/about) as Search Engine Marketing Manager. His task is to help more people find vzaar online and **July** sees a record number of new users flocking to the site and signing up. At the same time, our ace developers [Applicake](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/04/outsourcing-development-in-europe-or-why-applicake-are-fantastic) are working away on vzaar 2.0 which means we are able to not only release a [new version of the site](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/07/high-definition-video-comes-to-vzaar), but also a host of new features including [HD players](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/08/advanced-player-settings-tip-6-hd—high-definition), [customisable players](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/07/player-colours-suit-your-brand) and our ever popular [Brand Text](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/08/advanced-player-settings-tip-4-brand-text)
Late **August**, and a year in the making, eBay launch their SM App Program. [vzaar are hand picked as one of the launch partners](http://ebayinkblog.com/2009/08/19/ebay-sm-app-of-the-day-vzaar/) and overnight our video service is making it easier than ever for eBay sellers to [add video to their listings](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/08/were-live-vzaar-enters-the-ebay-applications-programme).
**September** comes and we’re busy tidying up aspects of the site that will improve the overall customer experience. As well as moving to a new office, we migrate our customer support over to the impressive and versatile [Tender App](http://tenderapp.com/), we switch our content delivery network of choice to the best-in-class Edgecast and launch a series of new libraries on our [Developer API](http://developer.vzaar.com/). Our first major API client the car dealership [GetAuto](http://www.getauto.com/) sign up and by the end of the month have already uploaded over a thousand videos. Video is fast becoming a volume game.
**October** and reasons to be cheerful. vzaar come [third in the European Streaming Awards for Best Online Video](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/09/best-online-video-platfrom-award), we pass 500 paying customers for the year and our newly launched [Affiliate Program](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/10/make-money-with-vzaars-affiliate-program) is helping more and more publishers spread the vzaar word!
As 2009 closes out, **November** sees guest blogger Kris Drey comment on the [Small Business Edge](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/11/the-small-business-edge) that sees more and more businesses moving over to online video. [Fallon](http://www.fallon.co.uk/), a UK based digital agency, are living proof of this as they bring their creative campaigns for [Trebor](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/09/fallon-pick-vzaar-for-the-launch-of-trebors-new-minty-gum) and Cadburys to life with vzaar video and our customisable players.
Finally we roll into **December** and the demand for features goes on. Our new [Thumbnail Picker](http://vzaar.com/blog/2009/12/new-video-thumbnail-picker) goes down a treat with existing customers as does our new [Showcase page](http://vzaar.com/showcase) which illustrates the amazing variety of videos are customers are uploading on a daily basis.
Quite a year and yet still the pace quickens. The online video space is often criticized for being an overly crowded one with little to differentiate services. To that point, we welcome the launch of [VidCompare](http://www.vidcompare.com/) who aim to simplify the selection process, but maintain strongly as a company that there is ample room for a platform like vzaar that focuses on making the streaming of video as simple as possible. It needn’t be a complicated process and that will remain core to our thinking and philosophy as we step into 2010.
We look forward to seeing you there!