Local search engines to gain popularity

Local search platforms will enjoy more mainstream use in 2008, estimates e-consultancy.

The online commerce information site made the prediction as part of a list of ten key trends that it believes will develop this year.

E-consultancy points to US sites such as Yelp and Outside.in as examples of local search platforms gaining increasing popularity.

The website predicts that these search engines will become more target-specific. It said: "Local search platforms will become more niche with vertical search playing an important role. Additionally, companies who focus on enhancing user experience and gaining repeat users will succeed in this space."

E-consultancy further underlined the need for companies to focus on quality of customer service, saying:

"This is a very competitive space and we should also expect some kind of shakeout/consolidation in 2008."

The website also predicted the huge popularity of the mobile web in 2008, following the release of Apple´s iPhone last year.

Spending on internet display advertising in the US will grow by 14.4 per cent over the course of 2008, according to marketing information provider TNS Media Intelligence.