Google Plus: 8 Reasons Businesses Should Embrace It Now

Google Plus, also commonly known as G+, is the most talked-about new social networking platform to be introduced. It started out in beta testing with limited numbers of people invited to join but is now open for all to enjoy. While it does not have the number of users being reported on Facebook just yet, many believe that it will overtake Facebook or at least become just as important for social networking.

As a business owner, there five main reasons you should embrace Google Plus today:

1. It is a powerful outlet to get your business to the top of Google search results pages.

Google is the most powerful search engine in operation today, and Google Plus is an operation of that powerhouse. The content that you list and make public in your Google Plus account will be valid for inclusion in search engine results pages. In fact, many believe Google is giving priority or preference to businesses and individuals that make valuable postings through G+. If you can get others publicly talking about your business or promotions on Google Plus, you may be able to get some free search engine publicity.

2. You can determine who does or does not see your postings when you use Google Plus.

Facebook is now trying to come up with features that allow users to sort out their friends to determine who does or does not see particular posts, but G+ was designed based on this principle. You can take everyone added to your contacts and sort them out into circles. You can then send certain posts to individual circles. This is a great way to send special promotions to groups of people without blasting them to everyone in your social contacts. Businesses are finding many ways to take advantage of this feature.

3. Hangouts can be created with video and text chat features.

You can do video conferences and have chat room conversations with others through your G+ account. This allows you to actually do business with others through your social networking account. This is perhaps one of the most valuable features for businesses interacting through G+. What better way is there to connect with your target market or communicate with potential customers and business partners?

4. You can record and distribute webcasts through your G+ account.

This is one of the newer features that has been added into Plus accounts. You can now use the Hangout On-Air feature to record a webcast and send it out to the most appropriate circles. What if that could end up being featured in Google search results? There is a real possibility of that happening.

5. You can post pictures and text messages directly from your Android phone to select G+ circles.

If you have an Android phone or another phone that allows texting and photo sharing, you can now upload photos and text messages right into your G+ account. This makes it easier than ever to keep your account up to date and communicate with those who may have an interest in your business.

6. Analytics are built right into the G Plus design.

You can now monitor all posts to your G+ account with the Ripples analytical feature. You can see all activity for any post you place on the site, which is very valuable in determining what others may be most interested in seeing more of in the future.

7. Many businesses have yet to move into Google Plus, so you could beat a lot of your competitors to the punch.

Just as you have not yet embraced G+, many other businesses have yet to jump in and get their feet wet. This means that you could hit a market that your competitors have not tapped into yet. You know how valuable that advantage can be in the business world, regardless of your market. This opportunity doesn’t come around too often, so start out by searching Google+ for your competitors. Who has beat you to the punch? Who could you beat to the punch?

8. Next “Big Thing”?

Perhaps the biggest reason to embrace Google Plus is the fact that many believe it is the next best thing in the social networking world. Just as Facebook has now made MySpace a thing of the past, many believe G+ will one day make Facebook a thing of the past.

Wouldn’t you like to be in on the action before everyone and their grandmother has signed up? Signing up now and getting your account established could give you an advantage when all other businesses finally decide to sign up as well.

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