A Fall from Heaven - Google games - continues

In my last post I tried to explain what the problem with Google is for my industry (web design, and some others) in these days.

Some background to the problem/ explanation of what Local Results for Generic Search Terms is:
http://searchengineland.com/google-showing-local-results-on-non-local-queries-17176

It seems there is a great panic on the internet over the issue:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/maps/thread?tid=1f506c6b4fd31f70&hl=en#all
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/maps/thread?fid=19f4b0936485546a0004764ffd35db73&hl=en

It does seem like it should only be temporary thing as Google people told us they are “working” on it.

..BUT…

I have a small business and I feel the loss of enquiries that were coming from Google to my website significantly.
I can imagine what panic this must be causing to business owner who employs several people and who’s business is solely dependent on enquiries from Google.

The golden rule: “diversification is the king” proves to be true once again. Never rely on only one client, one advertising method…one business?

A Fall from Heaven - Lost of Google Ranking

It hasn’t been a long time since Google stopped displaying Local Results (map) for generic term search.
A few weeks ago, if you typed into the Google search bar the phrase “freelance web design london” and you happened to sit anywhere near Putney in London, chances were you would see my link next to a Google Map with Local Results.

See example of search on phrase webdesign Montobello:

After Google has (hopefully temporarily) removed this local results map from its results page on terms such as web design, graphic design, logo design etc. my clients can no longer find me when doing a generic search.

I started to feel the effects of this a few weeks ago. Normally, I receive about one enquiry for my services in one or two days. Now it is one in two weeks and this is probably due to other advertising methods.

For the first time I experience how painful it is to loose Google ranking (or local results position to be accurate).

I have to start finding different advertising channels and use my old methods of attracting new customers. I have to say I became quite accustomed to the fact that clients who are ready, serious about website development and interested specifically in my work, are coming to me rather than me trying to persuade them.

Turning an enquiry into a business takes time. Sometimes less, sometimes more but usually around 2-4 weeks. Lost of these enquiries will not be shown in one or two months but in 3 or 4 months. Therefore I know, I have to start with promoting my services actively now, despite the fact I am busy working on projects. I have to compensate for the loss of Google “favourism” and make sure I have enough work for the months to come.

If you knew about any good advertising method, please let me know, privately or in the comments box.

By advertising method I mean:
1) internet forums where I could reach my target audience (small to mid-size companies)
2) direct marketing - giving a call to someone you know, sending an email
3) advertising - fee or paid but one that works

If you too have been effected by Google change of policy (local results), you can share it with us in the comments below.