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Google+ Business Pages Launch
Google+ has quickly been adopted by professionals since it's launch. However, it was only available to individuals at the beginning. Business' asked, "What about us?" Google has answered with the launch of Google+ Pages for Business. Now Business' can have a presence on Google+ promoting it's products, services, and brand while supporting it's customer base.
Google+ is slowly rolling this out to everyone, but from day one there were already a number of pages up:
The Muppets quickly build up a following of over 20,000 fans and almost 3,000 +1s in the first day of their launch. They combined the launch of their business page, promoting their movie, with an open invite to join the cast in a Google+ Hangout.
You can visit the Muppets page here
We were also fortunate enough to be selected as one of the companies to be invited to Google+ business pages on the first day.
You can visit AgencyFour's page here
First Impressions
Having a business or brand page on Google+ is similiar to the Facebook Fan page experience. You are able to use the business page to add users to circles and essentialy treat it separately from your own personal Google+ account. Once you have your brand set up on Google+ it can be search for by Google's new +business search function. If we want to search for the Muppets we would use "+Muppets" to quickly find their page. This makes it easy to find what you are looking for and does immediately notify Google+ that you are looking for a business "+". I would have prefered if the URL for the page was customized, but it seems random at this stage thus the need for the quick search shortcut.
Why does your business a Google+ Business Page
It's been many years since Google only looked at SEO to rank a page. Google takes many things into consideration and social media is becoming a stronger indicator in the ranking mix. Having a Google+ page gives you another source of links and a place for users to engage. Basically it's good for Google and your customers, if your customers are there.
Just like Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler and the other social tools Google+ isn't for everyone. Before making a page look at the overall marketing plan for the business and see if it makes sense. The first question to ask is...is my customer demographic here. The second question is...are key influencers here that would help promote the brand. You could also get a page before anyone else does simply to secure your business name, but keep in mind that a non-active page will have people clicking through.
Google+ can be worthwhile to use because not everyone is on Twitter or Facebook. The majority of Google+ users seem to be technical, professional, and early adopters with a majority of users in the United States and English speaking countries. It is not made up of millions of customers looking to buy consumer goods. I would suggest focusing on more professional products and services along with products that would cover the full spectrum of the market, a mass market brand like the Muppets, Nike, and Coca Cola. This isn't the place for small and local business' to market themselves, not yet at least, but Google+ is trying to change that with integration of business pages into Google maps.
As you can see from the Muppets one day followers gain of 20k it is a way to engage which can then move towards more streamlined lead generation and engagement (email newsletters, mobile marketing, direct promotions, coupons, events, etc.).
For help with your Google+ Business presence please contact me.
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