If you are like me when it comes to online, all this social networking can be as daunting as in-person networking. In my own local network, more people I know who are more extroverted are letting go of the online scene because it’s zapping their energy. More introverts are too, oddly for the same reason.
If you are wondering what are you doing online for your business, what’s the benefit, you likely are asking yourself a similar question to another one of my online local networking connections, Les Dossey. He recently blogged, If You Aren’t Using Google Plus, You’re Losing Money.
Just how are you losing?
Myself being a change maker instead of a change adapter, I’ve been methodically building my use of Google+ so I was delighted to learn from Les’ findings. His wisdom will likely help you too.
Online is where to be found.
Unless you truly have no knowledge of the Internet and online technology, you know the power of searching online. You can find content, reviews of products, possible items for you to buy; you need to find something you can find search it out online.
People are shopping online in bigger numbers everyday. As recently as summer last year, 73% of people do at least half their shopping online! And when it comes to search, who rules? Google. So Dossey takes time to talk about how it is that Google+ makes it easier for you and your content to be found.
Google+ integrates with it’s own other products.
You may or may not be aware of the reach of Google. Do you often get driving directions with a map program? It’s likely Google maps. Has a friend emailed you a video link that you watched? It’s likely YouTube, another of Google’s products.
So it becomes about ranking and being found. Is there anyone who can do that better than Google?
I hadn’t thought about things this way but Dossey said it clearly, “G+ is the center of the Google Universe.”
Les Dossey cites experts like Brian Clark of Copyblogger, The Huffington Post and more, with reasoning to why be on Google+.
photo credit: Stuck in Customs via photopin cc
Have as you know, been banging on about the importance of Google + for a long time. What you and Les outline is definitely correct.
Those who are not yet on Google + will have to join in the future.
For me the integration of all Google’s services has been very beneficial. On April 1st this year I started a web site for my new consulting company in Sweden. When I added Google Authorship to it it jumped up to approximately No. 350,000 on Alexa. Presumed it would take about 3-6 months for it to be ranked. But already after 10 days of me just playing with it the ranking was about 1,500,000.
From the beginning I had a hate/love relationship with Facebook, so it didn’t take much for me to get started on Google+ and now – while I “maintain” on FB – I’m far more active on G+. In fact I closed my FB page and launched a G+ page instead and that’s going much better.
This is so encouraging Marquita. I’d love to leave all that Facebook noise behind. Your evidence is quite encouraging. Thanks.
Wow Catarina. That’s a fabulous increase in your Alexa ranking. And in just 10 days??? Amazing. Thanks.
I have never been successful at cracking the code with Facebook. I still have a page and it just seems to limp along. However, when it comes to Google+, I have to say it far easier and much more impactful when it comes to conversation and promoting mine and other’s blog post and information.
Susan at least you are limping. I don’t think I’m even at that kind of pace. LOVE Google+ though.
Google+ is the place to be. It only makes sense. Google has had years of experience getting our data and perfecting search. It’s beginning to come together in to one massive product. If you are not there, you are going to miss out.
You’ve really it it Cheryl: “It’s beginning to come together in to one massive product.” I think it’s going to be all encompassing.
Totally agree with everyone about the importance of Google+ and particularly verifying your Google Authorship as Catarina mentions. There is no doubt that participating on G+ will help add to your visibility in search. I have a passive presence on Facebook. I find it confusing because Facebook is always changing things and it’s just not my audience.
Yes Jeannette, I’m closer than ever to saying good bye to Facebook because of what you say here: just not my audience. Thanks.
I have been able to connect with people on Google+ in ways that weren’t possible with Facebook or Twitter. In addition to the connection to the Google search engine and the importance of Google Authorship, I have found it easy to have intelligent conversations with people on a variety of topics, whether business, nature or politics.
Leora, Google is definitely different than the big three.And for certain Google Authorship is a draw for any blogger.
So far I haven’t seen any benefit of Google+. With that said Google seems to have control of everyone sites. I have only been on Google+ for a couple of months so I am still waiting to see an improvement. At some point it should work so plan to be patient.
Arleem, it will likely take the better part of half a year depending on what improvement you want to see from your being there. For certain because of that control, it IS a place to be.