It is hard to believe that there are now over 1 billion users with Google+ enabled accounts that reach 359 million monthly active users. Google+ has all of the benefits of a social media network but can also make a giant impact on search engine queries on Google.
There are five essential steps that all online marketers need to take to become a Google+ All-Star. If this strategy is followed, your followers will increase as will your search engine exposure. With Google+ growing at a rate of 33% per annum, it is too important to overlook Google's social network for your business.
1. Obtain Reviews:
Reviews are a source of truth that will live on the web indefinitely. It is amazing how many companies don't even get reviews for their Google+ page, which is the first search result that will appear when people type in a branded search query. Reach out to your customers to see if they will leave a review on your Google+ page and it will benefit your website and brand for many years to come.
2. Promote Content:
Did you know that by simply making a post on your Google+ page can result in the content appearing in Google's search engine results? If you haven't already started creating a content calendar for Google+ to promote all of your content, right now is a good time to get started. If you have a following that will see your posts and it can appear in the organic search results, it is a win-win!
3. Obtain Followers:
Speaking of obtaining followers, it will do you no good if you are posting compelling content onto Google+ and nobody is in your circle. It is essential that you obtain followers for your Google+ page. A simple step to achieve this is by following other Google+ accounts in a similar industry and interacting on their posts. The more engaged you are with other Google+ accounts, the more of a benefit it will have for your account.
4. Optimize Profile:
One of the most common mistakes that we see is that a business won't have its Google+ profile properly optimized. Make sure that your business name, address, contact info, company category, hours of operation and photos and have been properly added to your profile. This will enhance your exposure on Google. Additionally, there is an "Introduction" section where you can link to various pages of your website and include search engine friendly content.
5. Photos and Videos
When you conduct a branded search query on Google, the image from Google+ is what prominently appears on the right hand side of the screen. Make sure you are uploading professional pictures of your business to your Google+ page. First impressions are crucial. When someone types in your company name on Google, a compelling graphic will convey that perfect first impression. There is also an option to add your videos directly from YouTube, which is another great way to deliver your company message to a large audience.
