Google+ has received a lot of mixed reviews lately – but any social network goes through a teething process. And yes, Google+ is a social network, but is it the social network that Google planned it to be? Some experts say no, and reveal how your business can really make an impact on Google+.
Courtesy of bloggerspath.com
The Social Network Vision
From the beginning Google+ launched a massive campaign, and was described as a threat to Facebook, or a network that will rival Facebook and perhaps even slow its growth. Whether it was bloggers or Google itself that perpetrated this idea, we’ll never know. The point is, that Google+ was NEVER a threat to Facebook.
Those of us who have worked extensively on Facebook, understand that this eternal social network machine has no real rivals. How can it? Facebook is an island. Many have copied it, many have tried to outdo it, and they’ve all failed. So, you should start seeing Google+ not as a weak competitor, but as something on its own.
How Google+ Can Impact Your Business
Slowly but surely, experts are realizing that Google+ has merit in other areas. Areas that are highly beneficial to companies looking for exposure, and business presence on the internet. There are numerous search benefits to having a Google+ social account. Google will index your plus account, and rank it very well. This is page one stuff, and enough to interest any savvy social marketer.
Besides the search benefits, Google+ is proving to be a great place to connect with influencers online. Conversation is far more vibrant on Google+, and industry experts tend to share more commentary there, than on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. It’s become something of a ‘niche’ paradise.
Then there are the wonderful project management features that have been built into Google+. With circles that you can transform into mini client bases, and hangouts that you can use for conferencing – Google+ is more like an all-in-one, online based social network – where you can build long term, repeat business from existing clients.
Why Use Google+ At All?
Google+ improves your overall SEO, and allows you to branch out, making connections with influencers that you can later transform into business partnerships or social marketing opportunities. It’s also a unique way to create small company related circles, so that you can build up your connections within a client’s company. This is very advantageous to businesses that want to retain long term clients.
Google+ business pages can be instrumental to a well planned social strategy. Put your business on the map by getting your page started today. With a fresh strategy for 2012, your Google+ page will help you drive traffic and support long term relationships. You want to get in on that action early!
Add Google+ to your social strategy now. Use it to increase your visibility, authority and likeability on the internet.
Do you think Google+ is worth using? What have your experiences been with this new social network, so far? We want to hear from you!
Having a page on Google+ is a good start, but how to use it and get followers is not really covered too well in articles I have read yet. Tips on how to find people and other suitable businesses to network with on there would be helpful.
@Tony – great suggestion, I’ll write a post soon to clear that up, so keep reading!
Great thanks……….look forward to read it when you have it written.
@Tony, I’ll schedule it in asap!
@Tony – I had the same question. I found some useful information in the following post: http://networkedblogs.com/tn4el.
But I am really looking forward to SMM’s response too. I have learned a lot from Social Media Magic and am still struggling to get added Google+ circles myself.
@Angie, it’s coming. Scheduled for next week, so keep an eye out