Google Plus is a social media platform that many people do not know about. The joke is that only Google employees use it. It is much newer than Facebook, and has just a small fraction of Facebook’s one billion users. If so few people use it, why should we put time and effort into building and maintaining a Google Plus business page?
The answer is that Google+ is important because Google thinks it is important. Several years ago, the company paid people to drive around in special cars with cameras mounted on the roof and record and map every major street in the world. We can only imagine how much such an endeavor would cost, and then add a few lawsuits to that total. Google did this because they understand how important maps are in a digital world. Once they mapped out most of the United States, they wanted to put businesses on those maps. It is similar to small towns wanting to get put on the state map. It became called “Google Places.” Each business listed their contact information, website, services offered, and store hours. Google Places has now merged with Google+ and it is a way for people to find businesses.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an interesting field. I do not have the time or interest to become an expert in it, but I can tell you that I learned two things about it. The most important rules of SEO are to have relevant content, and positive customer testimonials. If you are regularly blogging about your industry, then you are on your way. Positive customers testimonials are important because Google, Bing, Yahoo and all the other search engines do not want to recommend a company that has bad customer service because it makes those search engines look bad. So, it is hard for a search engine to know if a company has good or bad customer service, unless there are online testimonials.
Currently, my company, Safe and Sound Electric has 8 five-star ratings on Google+. I did not think much of it, until my last three customers specifically mentioned it when I showed up. I encourage my customers to give me comments and feedback on my social media pages, especially Google+ because those testimonials help direct more traffic my way.
I am already on Facebook. Isn’t that good enough?
I have a business page and personal page on Facebook as well. The way I see Facebook is a way to brand yourself in your community. If you help a charity or local organization, you should mention it on Facebook to create a dialog between you and your customers. Occasionally, someone will ask their friends on Facebook if they know a good electrician. So, having a presence on Facebook is important in that sense. However, I find that new people moving to the area will go directly to Google and search for, “electrician Greenwich, CT” or some variation. When the latter happens, the reviews on Google Plus pique people’s interest and they call me. I see Facebook as way so your friends know you are still in business and they might call you in six months to year. I see Google+ as a way to reach new people in the area actively searching for your services right now. So, make sure that you frequently ask your customers for comments and testimonials on your social media pages, including Google+.
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