Google+ has been around since June 2011. If your brand hasn’t already signed up for an account, it’s about time you set one up. Whether you think Google+ is just another social media site or another profile to represent your brand, it’s definitely worth taking the plunge. Follow the steps below to set your brand up today with its Google+ page.
Step 1: Begin Setup
Head to plus.google.com and sign into your existing Google account or set up a new account. Once you are signed in, click on the button in the upper left to access the drop down menu. From there you will click on the Pages option, and then the blue “Create A New Page” button on the next page. This will begin the set up process for your new page.
Step 2: Terms of Service Agreement
On the next page you will choose the category that best fits your brand. Click on the option you would like to be represented in and fill out the information as prompted to set up your page. Once you agree to the terms of service and click the “Continue” button, you are taken to the Dashboard of your Google+ page.
Step 3: Fill Out Your Business Information
Complete your page by filling out as many fields as possible. You will begin by adding a profile picture (your logo is a great option for this!) and then a cover photo that also represents your brand message. Next you will be asked to insert the contact information for your brand or company.
Step 4: Link to Your Website
In order for your Google+ page to be more visible, you will want to link it to your homepage. This can be done via Webmaster Tools or by adding a piece of code to your site as seen below. A Verified page is seen as more trustworthy to a user.
Step 5: Network with Google+
Once you have your business account setup and verified, it’s time for the fun part. You can begin adding to your circles and making posts. Posts should be in line with your brand message, be informative or interesting for those following you. The more you are posting, the greater chance you have to encourage users to add you to their circles. You will also want to create your own circles and join communities.
Google+ might not get the acknowledgement that other social media sites do, but it is the second largest social network after Facebook according to MarketingLand. It also has benefits beyond the social, such as Authorship, +1s, Hangouts, and possibly SEO. Once you’re page is all set, don’t for get to add the +1 social sharing buttons to you site.
Share the Love