When Google Plus was introduced just a few short months ago, it was initially greeted with eyerolls and "here we go again" from many business professionals.
"I don't have time for it."
"I have more social media platforms than I can keep up with already!"
These are some of the typical initial reactions, but Google added something very compelling and valuable to the mix. It all started when the proposed merger of Google and Facebook fizzled last year. Google had already failed twice (remember Google Wave and Google Buzz?) in their attempts at a valid social media platform, and the truth is that Google is to social media what Bing is to search engines.
Facebook is the social media "top dog."
So why even bother with Google Plus?
Because Google has integrated it into their search engine algorithm. Simply put, having an active presence on Google Plus will help you improve your search engine ranking and online visibility if you do it right. Your Google Plus business listing (which is slowly replacing Google Places) is now intimately tied to your website, and businesses using this platform will get extra love from Google in their search algorithm resulting in better potential ranking over time than businesses who don't use it.
I say "potential" ranking because it won't help you much if you're not using it as an active social media resource. There are several reasons that Google Plus is more valuable for your business than Facebook:
1) Your Google Plus profile is replacing your Google Places listing.
2) Your Google Plus profile gives you extra SEO/search engine mojo you can't get from Facebook and other social media.
3) Google AuthorRank allows you another way to link your Google Plus profile to your business website.
For the full scoop and a more thorough explanation, read my full article on Marqeteer.com.
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