Despite Google's ability to revolutionize online search on a regular basis and exert influence over the way we carry on in our daily lives, it was not the online giant that initially brought small business into the national conversation. The Shop Local Movement, American Express (well known for creating Small Business Saturday), and countless references to America's economic foundation being built on the backs of small business, have all pushed small business into the spotlight and raised awareness of how important it is to the American economy.

But Google will never be left behind when a trend is afoot, so it comes as no surprise that Google has upped the ante in their online search capabilities for small businesses with Google My Business. These changes take local small business marketing to an unprecedented level.