Local Search was recently brought up at both the Kelsey Group's Interactive Local Media Conference and SES Chicago. A central theme at these shows was the economy. Advertising spending by small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) has taken a sharp turn downwards, but this tragedy for the overall advertising market may serve to advance the interests of local search as business owners look for more solid measurability and returns on investment.
These SMB owners have traditionally ignored looking into local search for the most part as it's a relatively new method and the habits of SMB owners are hard to break. These tough economic times may be exactly what's needed for local search to thrive.
Online video advertisements have surged recently as it's a much more cost-effective method than traditional television advertisements. Using online videos embedded in landing pages combines the strengths of video and the audience targeting ability of the Internet.
As smart phone devices, like Blackberrys and iPhones, become more and more mainstream, the mobile industry will give local search a boost as well. Prices are dropping for these devices and as more search-enabled mobile devices are delivered into the people's hands, local search will become something every SMB woudl be crazy not to consider.
