Google+ Pages: How Do They Benefit Your Business?

Google+ Pages for businesses offer a number of benefits that make them unique among company profiles on other social media networks. Launched late in 2011, Pages are approaching their first anniversary. In that time, companies have learned exactly why their presence on Google’s network can’t be overlooked.

Google+ now has over 400 million members, a quarter of whom are active on the social network every month. Google is unique in that they have long dominated the web search industry; their foray into the social sphere began with the launch of Google+. This means they have massive amounts of data at their disposal and are able to incorporate social data with their web search platform. What does that mean for you, the business owner?

Appear in Search Results Relevant to Your Area or Industry

If you have a Google+ Page for your company, you are far more apt to appear in Google search results, including Google Maps.

Google recommends the following, to increase the visibility of your Google+ Page in search results:

• Make sure your profile is complete. Add a profile image, write a description, link to your company’s website, and offer all of the information a potential customer who is just learning about you for the first time needs to know.
• Post new, interesting content to your Page on a regular basis.
• Grow your audience by engaging and conversing with the people who interact with your brand.

Google+ Pages and local listings pages for businesses are one and the same on Google. When a consumer is searching for local information, Maps results are featured prominently in the search results. Each result goes directly to the company’s Google+ Page, as shown above. Will potential customers find yours, or your competitor’s?

Google+ Pages and Websites Can Use the +1 Button

Facebook has Likes, but Google has the +1 button, which can appear across search results, on ads, and on your website. +1s are endorsements from your fans that help drive new visitors to your Google+ Page or website.

When a user gives your content or Page a +1, this information is visible to others in their network. People searching for information can see +1s beside your website or Page result in Google Search, lending your listing credibility.

Another cool feature of +1s is that they actually help people discover more of your content. When a user hovers over the button, they see recommendations for other content on your site that may interest them. Google offers step-by-step instructions to help you add the +1 button to your site.

Direct Connect from Google Search

Another benefit of having a Google+ Page is the Direct Connect feature. When people are looking for your company, Google allows them to add your Page to a circle right from the search results.

Google explains to users, “Just go to Google and search for [+], followed by the page you're interested in (like +Angry Birds). We'll take you to their Google+ page, and if you want, we’ll add them to your circles.” This feature is powerful because people don’t even need to visit your page in order to connect with your company on an ongoing basis. To qualify for Direct Connect, you just need to have a link between your website and your Google+ Page.

Google+ Pages an Opportunity Brands Can’t Afford to Miss

Google+ is growing and all signs point to increasing membership. As Google continues to integrate their social network with their search business, it’s all good news for companies who want to be discovered on the web. In upcoming posts, you will learn how to set up your Page and make best use of the marketing features Google+ offers companies like yours. Stay tuned!

You can meet Cy in December at Dell World where he will be representing Dell's IdeaStorm site.