Will new google+ business pages rival Facebook pages in popularity as a social marketing tool I wonder?

That’s a tough question to answer as Google+ is relatively new to the business page game, but its clear, when looking at Google+ business page features that Google means to take on Facebook at their own game.

Maybe the best way to look at the possibility go Google+ business pages rivalling face book pages is to better understand what Google+ pages offer the business community.

So what’s different about Google+ pages?

As a business owner who actively participates in Social Networking and Social Marketing I have found that  Google+ Pages for businesses and brands offers me an active and vibrant business to business (B2B), and business to consumer (B2C), social marketing opportunity. It has helped me to connect with the customers and fans who love and appreciate our business. What’s great about Google+ is that I can  interact with my customers in a more direct and personal way than in Facebook.

Let me explain. Not only can your customers recommend you with a +1, or add you to a circle and stay connected with you long-term, they can actually spend time with my team, face-to-face-to-face using a Skype style video and chat feature known as “hangouts”.

Famously good friends get together in a Google+ Hangout, to rock out and blow off steam.

 

Does Google understand your business needs better than Facebook?

When you consider Google’s PPC expertise it’s clear that it understands that different people will find different parts of your business interesting. So, it has designed Google+ business pages  in a way that whatever your customers are looking for they can easily find it.

Using Circles you get to share the right things with the right customers – at the right time to maintain and peak their interest.

You can create Circles for news, updates, promotions, links, photos, and the “hangouts” video chat I mentioned earlier can add a whole new dimension to your customer’s experience of your company, and your customer service department?

Imagine being able to bring your customers and team together for live market research, or to participate in a product or service demonstration where they can ask questions and share their opinions there and then.

Do you think that might create a stronger business relationship and help you to stay in the forefront of your customer’s mind?

What about features and functionality?

From a features perspective Google+ Pages Profiles do look a little sparse when compared to the application add ons with Facebook’s platform; however, in some ways it is the uncluttered simplicity of the business profile page that seems to make it easier for people to engage with.

When you check it out you can see all the basics are there without all the visual noise and distraction of Facebook’s ads and competitions. You get the Stream, an About page, and tabs for Videos and Photos -  and it’s pretty obvious that Google are listeining to user feedback and developing more features that Google+ pages will offer.

What about Google+ and SEO results?

Recently we have been putting together Google+ Business Pages as a part of our clients overall Social Media and Online Marketing strategy. The results we have been achieving in the search results have been impressive and encouraging.

How does Google+ help you to pinpoint people, pages and businesses related to your search?

 

What we have noticed

Updates on Google+ frequently show up high in search results and Google+ business pages consistently show up in first, second and third positions within 24 hours for long-tail phrases - often overtaking the companies existing website and overtaking listings in Yell.com and other well-known listings directories for the same keywords.

I can confidently say that Google’s new social search features will absolutely mean having a Google+ business page and personal profile will help your rankings.

In conclusion

The Social Web is here to stay and the Mobile Web is upon us. When you add up the pros and cons of Google+ and Facebook for business it is clear that the race is on for the attention of consumers and customers. Both these social platforms offer the business user powerful social networking and marketing benefits which will be ignored at their peril.

We all know that this social-mobile search and view trend is growing exponentially.  Currently the iPhone/iPad has an amazing 52.3 million daily active users and over 92.7 million monthly active users tap into social media search so it’s good to know that both Google and Facebook Pages can be accessed via mobile apps.

I would say that marketers and business owners owe it to themselves to understand the difference in the Google+ and Facebook audience and then tap into both Google + for business and Facebook pages to gain consumer attention. This strategy will give any business who takes the lead an ample advantage  over their competitors  who don’t.

What do you think?

We love to hear your opinions so please do join our conversation today.

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