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Google Plus isn’t the most popular social media platform in the room – it’s definitely not at the cool table with Instagram and Snapchat. Yet, despite its lack of popularity, it refuses to go down without a fight. According to Mashable, it still has plenty of devoted followers.
This doesn’t mean you need to get a Google Plus profile in order to connect with lost classmates and distant cousins. An individual can connect without it, but businesses are another story. Google Plus is vital to helping a company get noticed.
Posting to Google Plus
While the masses don’t post to Google Plus like they post to other social media, businesses must. But don’t post just anything: post well-researched keywords. These will help increase your SEO and drive people to your Google Plus page, which ultimately drives them back to your site. Strive to post frequently – a few times a week is good, but a few times a day is better.
Hashtags are vital, too. For these, it’s a smart idea to post keywords that are topical and trending, particularly if they’re applicable to your business. If you own a luggage company that sells compact carry-ons, use the recent stories about the airlines to your advantage.
The Google business page
Google plus aside, claiming your Google business page is another way to increase your validity. To claim this page, go to your Google account or Gmail and access Google My Business (or activate it if you don’t have one already). You’ll need to add in details about your listing – be thorough and double-check for typos (internet surfers hate nothing if not poor grammar). And then start the verification process. You’ll likely have to verify by postcard (though phone is another option). Once the postcard arrives, use the verification code to complete the process and provide more details for your customers: your website, your hours, your payments accepted, a map of your location, photos, etc. The more details you provide, the more people you’ll lure.
Claiming your business page helps with your SEO, but it also helps you look legitimate. In this day and age, businesses without a web presence are businesses most clients stay clear of.
Why Google reviews count
If you’re a brick and mortar store, don’t forget your bread and butter: Google reviews. Google reviews help dictate your reputation – sure – but they also help with your online visibility by influencing your organic web traffic. SunnySide Social Media, for example, ranks #1 on searches for “Denver social media.” A large part of these rankings is the Google reviews – 28 five-star reviews.
Without Google reviews, your company can still rank high in search results. But, the question remains, will it matter? Web surfers like to see companies that make their clients happy. No reviews aren’t much better than bad reviews.
Even so, getting a review is easier said than done -it’s a conundrum, really: you need reviews to get reviews. So, how do you get these in the first place? Look towards your loyal customers. Ask them to post and remind them on your social media pages. Of course, if you provide stellar service in the first place, the reviews will come to you.
Google reviews, your Google business profile, and Google Plus are important weapons in your online arsenal. If you ignore Google, it will ignore you back. And you’ll lose potential customers in the process.