Many people see Google+as
just another social platform. But is it? With Facebook drawing the crowd—from
teenage girls to grandma—why would anyone want to launch a page elsewhere?
Facebook is where the action is, right?
just another social platform. But is it? With Facebook drawing the crowd—from
teenage girls to grandma—why would anyone want to launch a page elsewhere?
Facebook is where the action is, right?
Maybe.
And maybe not … it all
depends on the kind of action you are looking for.
depends on the kind of action you are looking for.
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| Google Plus means business and profits (Image credit:- itechcode) |
Google
means business
The exact percentage is
unknown, but it is probable that between one-third and one-half of all internet
users have a Facebook account. Many people and companies have multiple
accounts, of course, but not all of those are actively being used.
unknown, but it is probable that between one-third and one-half of all internet
users have a Facebook account. Many people and companies have multiple
accounts, of course, but not all of those are actively being used.
Google, on the other
hand—with properties as varied as the Google search engine, YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps,
Google Earth, Google Images, and a whole lot more—gets visited by the majority
of internet users every single day.
hand—with properties as varied as the Google search engine, YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps,
Google Earth, Google Images, and a whole lot more—gets visited by the majority
of internet users every single day.
But that’s not all.
To compare Google+ to
Facebook is not at all an apples-to-apples pursuit. They are both social sites, where users can post their thoughts
and link up with others who share common interests, but there is much more to
the picture than that.
Facebook is not at all an apples-to-apples pursuit. They are both social sites, where users can post their thoughts
and link up with others who share common interests, but there is much more to
the picture than that.
Google
+ is a game-changer
+ is a game-changer
Google’s primary site is
Google Search. And Google is the gold standard in the search engine arena. In
popular vernacular, you don’t search on a term, you “Google it.”
Google Search. And Google is the gold standard in the search engine arena. In
popular vernacular, you don’t search on a term, you “Google it.”
The important thing to
remember here is that Google did not get to the top because they ran the best
advertising campaign. They became the world’s premier search engine in one way
only: by returning the best results.Google has consistently focused
onmaking sure you find what you are searching for—with as little spam as
possible thrown in the mix.
remember here is that Google did not get to the top because they ran the best
advertising campaign. They became the world’s premier search engine in one way
only: by returning the best results.Google has consistently focused
onmaking sure you find what you are searching for—with as little spam as
possible thrown in the mix.
Enter
Google+ (or G+ for short)
Google+ (or G+ for short)
Google sees G+ as much
more than just another social gathering site. Google launched G+ as a means of
integrating the entire Google family. That, my friend, is social media on
hyper-fuel.
more than just another social gathering site. Google launched G+ as a means of
integrating the entire Google family. That, my friend, is social media on
hyper-fuel.
G+ users not only get access
to Google’s incredible array of multimedia and networking possibilities, but the
more anchored they are in Google’s various services the more bang they will get
in Google search results. And, for many companies and individuals, search
result ranking is a prime consideration.
to Google’s incredible array of multimedia and networking possibilities, but the
more anchored they are in Google’s various services the more bang they will get
in Google search results. And, for many companies and individuals, search
result ranking is a prime consideration.
You can post on Facebook
all you want. If you want to see your message show up in a Google search,
though, you stand a much better chance by posting on Google+.
all you want. If you want to see your message show up in a Google search,
though, you stand a much better chance by posting on Google+.
Possible
ways to use Google+
ways to use Google+
Certainly, your primary
concern (before spending time on any social media site) is to determine exactly
what you hope to accomplish. But whether your desire is to build brand
identity, establish yourself or your company as a thought leader, contact potential
customers, keep in touch with (not only by speaking, but by listening to)
current customers, or making sure your sites show up on the first page of
Google’s search results—Google+ has something for you.
concern (before spending time on any social media site) is to determine exactly
what you hope to accomplish. But whether your desire is to build brand
identity, establish yourself or your company as a thought leader, contact potential
customers, keep in touch with (not only by speaking, but by listening to)
current customers, or making sure your sites show up on the first page of
Google’s search results—Google+ has something for you.
Components
of the service include:
of the service include:
· Your follow others by “circling” them. By grouping
your Circles into target groups, you can direct your messages to
specific interests, effectively building mailing lists with G+.
· G+ Hangouts allow you to
hold a public or private video chat with those you invite. You can have a sales
team meeting or make a presentation to one or more clients—all from your
Google+ page.
· Use rel=author, rel=publisher and rel=me attributes to tie
your other web pages, blogs and online content (no matter where it is published
on the internet) to your G+ presence. This builds “juice” on the Google search
engine and is like putting a watermark on all of your properties. Add the
ability for others to vote for you via the Google +1 Button and you weave a
seamless link that can add serious bang to your internetmuscle.
· Take advantage of the G+ Ripples function to see how many
times your content has been shared (and by whom). You get a graphical representation
of your reach on G+.
· Use the Chat function for instant messaging (integrated with your
Gmail contact list).
· Use
G+ Search to discover what is being said about your brand or your interests.
Then get involved in the discussion.
G+ Search to discover what is being said about your brand or your interests.
Then get involved in the discussion.
· Check out what is Trending to stay abreast of
current topics.
· Use
the power of Shared Circles to quickly build and expand your list of people and
businesses you want to speak with and listen to.
the power of Shared Circles to quickly build and expand your list of people and
businesses you want to speak with and listen to.
Should
my business be represented on Google+?
my business be represented on Google+?
There are more sites on
the internet where you can invest your time than there are hours in the day
available to participate. It is impossible to be everywhere or to speak with
everyone.
the internet where you can invest your time than there are hours in the day
available to participate. It is impossible to be everywhere or to speak with
everyone.
That brings us back to the
maxim: Know what you hope to accomplish, then choose your platforms
wisely.
maxim: Know what you hope to accomplish, then choose your platforms
wisely.
Perhaps the number one
reason to include Google+ in your online presence is because Google+ is
Google—and it is likely that the line between G+ and the other Google
services (especially Google Search) will become increasingly thin.
reason to include Google+ in your online presence is because Google+ is
Google—and it is likely that the line between G+ and the other Google
services (especially Google Search) will become increasingly thin.
Don’t take my word for it,
though. Here is what Google’s CEO, Larry Page posted on his
own G+ account (January 19, 2012) …
though. Here is what Google’s CEO, Larry Page posted on his
own G+ account (January 19, 2012) …
Google+ is about much more
than the individual features themselves. It’s also about building a meaningful
relationship with users so that we can dramatically improve the services we
offer. Understanding who people are, what they care about, and the other people
that matter to them is crucial if we are to give users what they need, when they
need it.
than the individual features themselves. It’s also about building a meaningful
relationship with users so that we can dramatically improve the services we
offer. Understanding who people are, what they care about, and the other people
that matter to them is crucial if we are to give users what they need, when they
need it.
Should you maintain a
Google+ presence for yourself and your business?
Google+ presence for yourself and your business?
Only if you care about
ranking high in search results or communicating with others.
ranking high in search results or communicating with others.
Otherwise, don’t bother.
Go talk about your upcoming high school reunion on Facebook. Why waste time on
G+?
Go talk about your upcoming high school reunion on Facebook. Why waste time on
G+?
About the Author:
Lane Goodberry is an article writer from
Western USA. He loves to provide information on Small Business , SEO copywriting and
entrepreneurship.
Western USA. He loves to provide information on Small Business , SEO copywriting and
entrepreneurship.
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See:-
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