Is Google Plus important for Business?

Branded as Google+, it is Google’s attempt at a Social Media platform and is now in its third year. Easily integrated for loyal Google users, it’s said to be the second biggest platform after Facebook but with very limited information available concerning how many of these users are actually active.

Australia’s own Social Media News blog estimates that there is only 65 000 active Australian users on Google Plus, compared to Facebook’s 10+ million. With only a small user base, how relevant is Google Plus for Business and Branding?

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a skill used to secure top rankings on a search engine query page. The aim of SEO is to get your website positioned at the top of the page to potentially drive more business.

There is no denying that Google has majority share in the search engine market and for this very reason Google Plus for Business is said to be a strong asset. While Google itself has never confirmed it, many SEO Specialists debate over whether Google Plus has the power to boost SEO compared to other social media platforms. When trying to contend with the giant pool of online competitors, SEO and Google Plus for Business might be the answer to secure a greater online presence.

Google Plus for Business allows you to integrate Google+ authorship with the social media platform and your website.  Any new content will be posted under your name and is a great tool to take advantage of if you need a face for your business. When Google+ Authorship has been correctly set up, a photo (usually a headshot) will appear next to any content on a search query page that has been created by you. This headshot is not only attention grabbing but can hold a higher level of trust for users and can potentially result in higher click through rates.

Similar to “liking” on Facebook “+1” is the concept of liking and sharing content.  It is believed that anyone who presses the “+1” symbol is instantly telling Google that this is relevant and important content and basically serves as a very important back-link to your website. Google refuses to actually confirm or deny whether a “+1” serves as a back-link but people within the SEO world strongly believe it can help to increase your ranking on the search engine. Aside from the SEO functions it is a sign of social endorsement, an important factor on Google Plus for business as is with any social media platform.

Google Plus for Business is an easy way to prove to Google the authenticity of your company.  The Google search engine ranks websites higher, which it deems to be more trustworthy than others. This can be achieved via Google Plus; when your account reaches a certain amount of followers you can apply to have your account verified by Google – instantly legitimising your business.

For an Australian company it is questionable how Google Plus for business can organically grow when there are very low domestic users. Advertising is always a viable option but it has restrictions. You can only advertise on Google Plus once you have exceeded 1000 followers but you can then turn any Google Plus post into an interactive ad, which other users can engage with.

The telecommunications company has a strong following on the platform. With targeted hashtag strategies and completions Vodafone Australia has created an engaging account. The company recently finished a competition branded as #TheVault where over a 5 week period they released small challenges that could be solved by any follower to unlock ‘The Vault’ and be among the winners of a Samsung Galaxy.

Taking full advantage of the Sydney hashtag and its renowned history, the Sydney Opera House has a large following. Easily connecting with anyone who is interested in and searching for Sydney, the Opera House can continually grow an audience all the while promoting current events and sharing fun facts about the famous venue.

There’s definitely a market for Google Plus for Business but assessment needs to be made whether it is the correct path for your company. For instance if your business has a strong online presence but needs to raise traffic to the website– Google Plus could be a smart move to boost SEO. You then also have to consider the fact that there is still no solid proof that Google Plus actually boots SEO and after research, judgment will need to be made as to which side of the fence you sit on.