Why is an Inactive Google+ Account Hurting Your Brand?
Did you know that Google+ is currently the second largest social networking site in the world?
With more than 300 million active users, Google+ passed Twitter early last year and is second only to Facebook. It’s loaded with dozens of features that make it appealing to both businesses and individuals.
Why Google+?
When thinking of businesses and social media, most people think of LinkedIn, right? While LinkedIn is great for finding a job or, if you own a business, finding a qualified candidate, it’s not necessarily a platform where you can market your brand, get to know other businesses and find potential customers.
This is where Google+ comes in.
With Google+, you can join ‘Communities’ that allow you to discuss common interests and topics, facilitate a ‘Hangout’ to chat with others via video, create ‘Circles’ to organize friends and businesses of similar interests and more. Google+ is the “it” of social media and could very well take the lead in 2014.
Google+ is linked to everything Google – Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps and more. Create an event via Google+ Events and it’s added onto your Google Calendar and Gmail, along with anyone you invite.
Google+ is the optimal tool for keeping you, your business and your potential customers organized and on the same page.
Even though Google+ is huge, it’s still not a social media network that everyone’s on board with … yet. This is another reason it’s vital your business join.
Those who join early typically experience the most success with the platform. Those who started blogs before everyone had one and joined Twitter before it was “in” are now reaping the rewards (or, in the world of social media, followers).
Google+ and SEO
Google+ trumps all social media platforms in terms of SEO – or search engine optimization.
If you brand your business on Google+ and develop a strong following, you’re certain to develop a strong presence in the online world. In other words, Google chooses to rank websites with a Google+ page highly.
Want to grow your business and expand your network? Get a Google+ page. The sooner the better.
Google+ Authorship
Google+ Authorship allows you to link your articles in your Google+ page.
Make sure to upload a clear, high-quality head shot to add to your profile. This head shot will appear on Google’s search engine results page.
Research has shown that those with authorship receive more frequent clicks on their articles. Authorship builds authority and sets you as a leader and influencer in the Google world.
Gain exposure to your business
Google+ can help your business gain exposure in a big way.
You can interact with similar businesses and individuals with similar interests. Start interacting with those that have a large and established Google+ account and you’ll gain exposure to your own business over time.
Even if you have just 10 extra minutes a day, it will add up big time in learning and understanding Google+.
Best brands on Google+
Almost all big businesses are using Google+ and having success with it.
ESPN’s page, for example, uses high-definition photos and hosts Hangouts for the athletes. Almost 4 million users are in their circle and up-to-date sports information can be read throughout the day. Angry Birds, The New York Times, H&M and Starbucks are other companies making use of Google+ daily.
Whether your business wants to promote its offering of online orders, mobile payments, free shipping, 24/7/365 customer service etc., being involved in social media is no longer an option, it’s a must.
Businesses need to be established in social media if they wish to succeed. While it’s best to have multiple social media platforms – think Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and a personal blog – if you were only allowed to have one, Google+ is what you would want to have.
Learn it, use it and reap the hundreds of benefits Google+ has to offer.
Photo credit: impactbnd.com
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