Last year Google rolled out Universal search which blends results from its various search engines with the standard web results.

Ever since it has been experimenting with how, and where these results are blended (top of the page or middle) , and how they appear.

The most recent change is the appearance of local search results in the so called “one box”.

The contents of the onebox are determined by Google and can contain content from any of the Google services/search engines like Google books,images,maps and of course local. A full list is here

If google determines that the search request is for local information then the one box contains local search results taken from Google Local/Maps.

You should note that just because you have a website and are listed in the main index doesn’t mean that you are listed in Google local/maps.

A Goolge Maps listing is seperate and you need to add yourself to it. You will need a Google account to do so (its free) and you will find the add link on the maps home page:

• USA Google Maps
• Uk Google Maps

Google now displays ten local listings instead of the prvious thre which gives more exposure for local businesses.

Here are the search results for seo Shropshire

In this case it is the forth listing but can be the first listing displayed. In either case you can see how prominent it is and no doubt  has a very good click through rate.

Therefore it is very important that as part of your search engine optimization efforts that you get a listing in Google maps, and monitor your position for local search results.

If you are confused by the changes to the search results page take a look at Google  help

There is an interesting article in information weekly regarding Pizza Hut’s new mobile Pizza Ordering Service.

It’s interesting beacuse it clearly shows how businesses are becoming integrated into the digital world.

Most people interact with local businesses either personally or via the telephone (mobile or fixed). However the trend is clearly to use text, email and chat on the website.

I recently took out a new hosting service and I had a few questions so instead of emailing or phoning I took advatange of their online chat service, and had my questions answered in minutes.

It is only a matter of years before I go online and book a table at my local restaurant via their website. I will even get to choose my seats, and I can do it even when the restaurant is closed.

To take advantage of the growing trend to the internet your business, regardless of how small, needs to consider how best to use the Internet to interact with your customers.

The first step is to make sure your business gets found on the Internet and that involves Search engine Optimization. But it doesn’t stop there.

You will need to interact with them using email, text, chat etc.

So if you haven’t thought about it yet maybe it’s time to start. The good news is that it’s still early days for small businesses but as they say

The early bird catches the worm

A recent press release by Magellan the GPS maunfacturer shows how local search is fast being integrated into established devices.

The Magellan’s Maestro Elite 5340+GPRS auto navigation unit featuring Google Local Search enabling users to search the Internet for businesses and services in a local area and providing information about those businesses.

Local search makes an ideal partner for mobile phones and GPS devices and I would guess that these device will probably account for most of the local searches in the future.