Google+ … Should Your Business Jump on the Bandwagon?
by Natalie
Despite being dubbed the fastest growing social media site, reaching 10million users faster than both Twitter and Facebook, Google+ has left users waiting anxiously in anticipation of the new pages for businesses, groups, brands and organisations. The 8th of November saw many large organisations and brands, including the likes of O2, Burberry and the Muppets, creating their new Google+ pages. However, in the now saturated market of social media sites, is the new addition to Google+ really going to be able to rival the popularity of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as the preferred platform for promoting your business or organisation?
It appears that the Google+ pages are designed to allow businesses and organisations to market their products and services to other users by putting their marketing messages in front of a wider, and potentially more varied, audience. Vic Gundotra, SVP of Engineering at Google said, “Google+ pages help you connect with the customers and fans who love you.” But, is there really a need for this, with both Facebook and Twitter already being used to send marketing messages to millions of users on a daily basis in a very effective manner?
The ability to target specific audiences on Google+ has been cited as its most attractive feature. This allows you to tailor your posts based on the specific geographic audience that you are aiming at. Therefore, marketing messages can be delivered in different languages, catering more effectively to the country that you are trying to target. However, this has been a function available on Facebook for months. Whilst this is essential for targeting diverse markets, Google+ does not seem to offer any additional functionality beyond that offered by Facebook already.
There’s no doubt that the new kid on the block has made some significant waves and inevitably Google will continue to develop their proposition adding new features and functionality going forwards. Some businesses will be keen to demonstrate that they’re ‘keeping up with the times’. Others will take a more measured approach, focussing on ensuring they’re maximising the effectiveness of their established social media channels in which they have made considerable investment.
So the Jury’s out at the moment. But anyone suggesting that Google+ is the new Facebook may want to wait a little while before jumping on the bandwagon and trading in their Facebook pages for an alternative social media presence…….
What are your thoughts on Google+ for business? Tell us your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
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