MILE Social manages multiple social media platforms for small businesses. After carefully analyzing a business’s needs and goals, MILE composes a proposal.
This proposal breaks down the company’s existing social media presence, then makes suggestions for platforms MILE feels will better the business, along with the benefits of each. One platform MILE stresses for every small business owner is Google Plus (a.k.a. Google +) page. Many business owners do not have Google+, nor do they understand the importance of having this page. The reasons are subtle, but powerful.
Google+ is authentic. There are no ads (this should instantly put everyone at ease), and all the information is placed right in front of you. What’s the catch? There is none. Google does not need Google+ to fuel it’s revenue stream. This page is simply made for communities to connect and grow. Google indexes these pages which increase search engine optimization (SEO).
One could even compare the patterns of Google+ to Facebook because of the timeline, and freedom to follow others. There is a difference, which will be discussed further in this blog.
The glory of Google+ is the ability to post anything to your page without penalties. A business owner can share links from their company’s website and add a description of the link. They can share this information with groups (please do not make it “spammy” though), and post as often as they want.
Google+ is the perfect place to show the world, or your target audience, what your company or brand is about. There are more than 90 million G+ users, and 80% are engage on a weekly basis: Someone will see your posts, trust us.
Facebook vs Google+
Each platform has millions of users daily. Facebook has many restrictions on posts. If a business owner posts a link to their site in a Facebook post, Facebook will limit the reach, or the amount of people that can see the post. Google+ encourages users to share links, in addition to liking (+1’s) other posts. Numerous posts are encouraged on Google+. This is how you share your information, so go all out. Over-posting on Facebook interrupts the algorithms, and your posts will be limited in views.
As mentioned earlier, Google+ does not have ads. Google uses other outlets to generate revenue. Facebook on the other hand, has ads. With the direction Facebook is going, the only option to support growth is by encouraging small businesses to purchase ads. The reward? More visibility and increased views.
There is more relevancy to Google+’s Circles compared to “liking” or “following” a page on Facebook. They are more realistic because you can choose what how you are including a person or page in your circle. For example, you can label the type of circle you are including a page in; following, acquaintance, friend, etc. MILE does not suggest one over the other. In most cases, we encourage the use of both. It is important to understand the difference and the privileges of each.
A few other key bonuses to having a Google+ page for your business? The ability to locate your company easier. Google “rewards” businesses that actively have a G+ page, by increasing their visibility in general searches. MILE stresses the word “actively” because if a page is sitting untouched, Google will see this and pretty much ignore you.
The point of social media for small businesses is to share content and engage with their audience. Customers can also leave reviews on Google + business pages. MILE suggests acknowledging these comments and addressing the good and the bad in a timely matter.
We are all intrigued by visuals, and what better way to capture an audience than with a short, informational video. If you did not know already, Google owns YouTube. If you have a Google+ page, you already have the option to start a YouTube channel, and vice versa. You can also share your interests and engage on YouTube. “Tagging” your videos makes you easy to find in video searches as well.
As with most social media platforms, the opportunities are endless. But remember – keep Google+ in a special place, because it definitely is not going anywhere anytime soon.
