Google+ Dead? 5 Reasons To Use It For Your Business Visibility
- Many are disappointed in the way Google+ has turned out. They believe this company missed an enormous opportunity to reinvent social networking in a positive way for the future.
- There are lots of complaints about the high rates of trolls, bots, and spammers on this platform. Even the guy who wrote an entire book about how to use Google+ effectively, could not prevent the spammers from getting to him! He wrote that;
“I am literally the author of a book on Google+, but cannot stop invites to SEO Hangouts in Cardiff, or St. Louis Tech Talks,’ ” Purdy fumed. “G+ has settings for ‘who can send notifications,’ ‘Who can Hangout with you,’ ‘Receive notifications->Events,’ and ‘Manage Subscriptions’… None of those settings stop random people who I do not have in circles, who lives hundreds of miles away, from inviting me to **everything**.”
These and much more are some of the complaints you get from those abandoning this social networking platform.
Note that even though many have left Google +, this tech giant has not given up as yet. At least not yet!
- Reduce and hide spam comments,
- Adjust its layout to give priority to photos and post that have less white space,
- Enhance the ability to create events and be able to invite people to join.
Advantages Of Using Google+ For Your Business
1. Helps To Enhance Your SEO Visibility
One of my clients got to me by searching social media marketing manager online. I have never been on the first page of Google except with terms related to my business in particular. This lady found an article I shared on Google+ about why you need a “social media marketing manager.” She was in search of a social media manager and Bamm!! There I was on the first page!
Since this experience, I have enhanced and fine tuned my Google+ profile and page. This also encouraged me to get a Google My Business account. My advice is to connect your Google+ business page to your Google + local page and enjoy the results!
2. Increases Your Visibility
Your Google+ Page gives you abundant opportunity to write about your business. It is unlimited, and you can write and give strategic details about your business and its services.
Using the About section can help you to showcase all of these and also include relevant links that will link back to your website.
Note that this area will also show up as a meta description for your page. Use this wisely and if you want to rank for a keyword, make sure to include it in this section.
3. Using Google+ Collections
This is a unique feature of Google+. Collections allow you to create content that is relevant to a particular topic and group them in together.
Most people do not like to see their timelines clogged with irrelevant information. They can quickly follow Collections that they deem relevant and stay updated that way.
For example, you as a digital marketer can decide to make several Collections that will include, content marketing tips, email marketing tips, inbound marketing tips and many others. It makes it easier for your followers to select and follow.
NB. Always update your Collections with relevant topics and do not deviate else you may lose your fans.
4. Helps To Grow Your Email List
It is wise to find and add specific users to your circle. Note that all those who are in your circle get an email notification each time you have an update on Google+ hence increasing engagement with your content.
Use a captivating header photo as a lead magnet that leads to a landing page. You can also use Google+ Hangouts as a means to interact and provide value to your subscribers and those in your circle.
The Related Pages Widget in Gmail provides latest Google+ updates from companies. This appears in mailboxes and encourages more people to follow you and get your updates. It is an excellent way for business owners to use Google + to market to their audience.
5. Google+ Local Helps To Highlight Your Business
Another positive aspect is that Google+ Local contributes in highlighting your business and their location. This feature is Wayyyyy more efficient than on other social networks as it serves the local business to the customers in the most relevant way.
As you can see, Google+ is not dead! As a matter of fact, it still has so many advantages especially for small business owners who wish to stand out and reach their target market.
I am keen to know your response to this article. I need to understand the percentage of business owners who still believe in the potentials of Google+ like I do and use if for their business. What is your take on it?
I spend a great deal of time dedicated to social media. I never leave our G+
Are they what they could be? No not really BUT it is GOOGLE and I am not going to miss out on the SEO boost I get from them!
I have noticed a difference when I set aside a couple of days a week to promote my work on G+
I do not think they are going anywhere soon either.
You are right about that. I did not take it seriously till I found the benefits. Right now it is one of my social media networking sites.
I spend no time on google+ but this is super informative.
I am glad you like it!
OK I really need to study this more! I’ve tried to utilize my G+ but I’m not sure I’m doing it correctly! Thanks for sharing these tips!
Thanks for reading and I am happy to help in case you have questions regarding this subjet.
I use Google + and post and interact in the groups and niches related to my blogs! I like some of the ideas you suggested on top of how I use it. I will look into the Google Collections. Thanks for sharing!
I love Google+ collections especially the ones that are related to my business.
I haven’t given up on it. I’m trying to believe it will help my art. I have it linked to my blogs but I rarely get new followers. I’m going to keep trying.
Maybe you should update your page more often with relevant content? Maybe with your blog posts so that the page is active and can attract more followers?
Dead? Was it ever alive? I honestly don’t know anyone who uses it. I assumed it was just a failed Google initiative.
Oh yes, it is alive! Trust me, there are still many people who use it (me for example) Looking at the example I posted above, you will agree with me that is helps with your business SEO too.
I’ve tried to be more direct on Google+, but I’ve rarely seen the results. I’m one of those guilty of dropping it and focusing on other social media platforms simply because I haven’t seen the returns. I think this article helped in seeing of the things I was missing about being consistent there. Thanks!
I can relate to what you say. I had the same impression too especially after their recent updates. But, I am Ok if it helps to increase my visibility online.
I used to have one but never made much use of it, I’m going to look into more ways of utilizing it. Saved for future reference!
Yeah, I guess you should reconsider. Let me know if I can be of help.
I love google plus. I use it a lot. I get a great amount of followers from it.
I love it too and am I getting more active on it.
Fantastic information! This is something we have neglected, and your article has the tips to get it going. Thanks.
I am glad it does, thanks for reading.
You know Google+ is always in the back of my mind as something I should use more. This is a great reminder that I just need to do it!
Hahahaha I was there! It was always on my to-do list till I found my article on the first page of Google. That spurred me to revamp and become more active on it.
Awesome post and share Apolline!! I agree with you that using Google+ is a must if you want to reach more people and brand yourself utilizing the brand page to help you and your business stand out ?
You are right Joan even though I must confess that mine still needs a lot of tweaking. I am currently creating offers which I will include on my header and About section too.
When I first heard about Google +, I was there… like YouTube, it is a Google product… so naturally Google, THE search engine will find favor to those that use it. I may not put the same time into it.. but I do make it a daily vested interest… and have been… and continue to tell others to! Great job Apolline!
Lol! We all are all on alert for any Google product. I am gradually increasing my visibility on it. Thanks!
I used to spend more time on G+. I definitely still use Google for my business as, to your point, the SEO value is KING. I don’t think they are going anywhere either. I will dedicate more time to it.
Oh Yes! The SEO value is KING, and I can never underlook it.
Great tip re using Google + to help with SEO. I don’t spend too much time on it, but I do have an account and post things from time to time.
Thank you Tamuria. I love it, especially for the SEO value.
Must say I do not use Google+ much, I post there continuously but I really do not go there much anymore. But I do realize that my blog articles often appear high on Google often…Just that I do not like Google+ much…but guess I should make a try to update some stuff there. 🙂
Hi Apolline, Thanks for confirming that it is not dead! I use it with little visible results, just posting there as a matter of habit as I create new content. It’s good to know it’s doing something, in terms of algorithms, etc. Thanks.
I am finally getting on board with Google+. It took me a while because I really didn’t want to have to be on another site, but I am seeing results from it now that I’ve gotten the hang of it.
Apolinne.
Great article and I have google plus and going to definitely work with my other social media accounts. I can see why a manager would be great because it takes a lot of time and energy to do. We have to have enough time to do so many other parts of the business itself. A great specific article. Thank You!
Lori English
I know 100% i need to be doing this, i sed to get better at it for myself. I use it for a client and it has SEO advantages and really doesn’t take any time at all.
Great information! I have not had the chance to do some work on google+ but I have added my business in the local community.
I have been wanting to do the Google+. But I always get sidetrack or something. Great post definitely gonna try it.
Great post lady I get how it can benefit my business now I just need to learn the HOW. So will need to research more on exactly how to use it, I am a visual person so need visual instructions but you sold me on why its important not to totally discard it! xo