There are many reasons why it is best to Shop Local, but a recent experience really brought it home to me.

I did the usual family food shop at Lowood SPAR one evening, but when I got home a few items were missing. I had left behind one of the bags. It was a busy week, so I did not get a chance to go back until the following week-end. I wasn't going to bother enquring about the missing shopping bag, but my wife insisted. So I asked the helpful young lady at the counter if anyone had noticed a bag of shopping I had left behind. She checked in the log book, but no record.

Hang on a minute, she says, and disappears into the office. One of the owners, Jack Whitten, pops his head out, greets me warmly by name, and takes charge of my docket with the missing items marked on it. He says he will check further but it seems likeley that the next customer in the queue had picked up the bag. No problem, I said, I will continue shopping and you can find me if you come up with anything.

10 minutes later Jack Whitten finds me and hands me $22, being the full value of the missing goods. I look at him in astonishment - you don't need to do that, I splutter, it was my fault for leaving the bag. No, we insist, he replies.

How's that for an example of local service?

How to find a local business quickly and easily online and how to be found if you are a local business.

There are some new online services that provide serious competition to Yellow Pages by combining a search tool with an online map so you can see the location of local businesses and work out which ones are closest to you. Some are free to local businesses (for now) and others charge a monthly fee for the listing:

Google Maps: Google offer a free listing, but there is a verification process, so it takes about six weeks before your business starts to appear. Search for a local Business or request a free listing. This service is also available in the latest version of Google Earth.

True Local: True Local is owned and operated by News Corp and offers both a free listing and a more detailed priority listing for a monthly subscription from $63 per month. True Local have done a deal with Google to purchase priority search terms, so a paid listing on True Local will also get you a good listing on Google Maps. Search for a local business, request a free listing or phone 1300 133 774 for a subscription listing.

MyLocal: MyLocal is a NineMSN service that is currently free. Search for a business or request a free listing by phoning 1300 788599.

SomersetRegion.info: Last but not least, try our own local directory - no maps, but this is a free service for local people and local businesses as part of our support for the economy of the region.

Information provided by Paul Heymans
www.paulcomputers.com.au