Google+. Good for all businesses?

[purpleindigo]

Hi guys,

My question/discussion is regarding Google+ and whether or not I should advocate creating an account for one of the websites I work in-house for.

This particular website focuses on unlock codes for mobile phones and isn't a service that consumers would really want to connect with - which is what Google+ appears to be a vehicle for. It is a one off purchase website, and not something people will use regularly.

On the face of it Google+ offers very little for a company that operates in this fashion and makes most sense for B2B businesses.

I feel that by potentially creating a Google+ presence we are in fact attempting to manipulate the search rankings because it isn't a networking site that makes sense for our business and there is actually very little real reason for us to get involved with it.

I don't think Google would penalise any business for getting involved in their product, but we would only be using it to benefit our ranking position. Surely that is against everything Google themselves stand for?

Also, what real benefits have you guys got out of using Google+? If I am to create a presence there, this is the ammo I'll need to use to convince my manager with.

Thanks a lot.

[TheeDigital]

Purple Indigo,

Robert's right on most accounts.  Something that you might also want to think about is the "Google Rel=author" tag.  If you're going to be using any kind of blog on this site, using the "Rel=author" tag that's tied into Google+ can help you rank higher in the search results and also give your brand some identity.  I know you've mentioned that you don't consider this a product that you would want to use to connect with your audience, however the push in the search rankings might be something of interest.

[RobertFisher]

Purple Indigo,

This particular website focuses on unlock codes for mobile phones and isn't a service that consumers would really want to connect with - which is what Google+ appears to be a vehicle for. It is a one off purchase website, and not something people will use regularly.

Will people ever review your product/service? A small amount of info in Google + would not hurt and it can help.

On the face of it Google+ offers very little for a company that operates in this fashion and makes most sense for B2B businesses.

For me, I disagree with it making most sense for B2B. First, it is simply a way of verifying your existence and controlling it first. Then any connection. IMO it is not a marketing tool per se. Frankly, I don't even want to go down the social media marketing road here..... If you have people giving you a plus it will have a minor impact on your SEO, again, IMO.

I feel that by potentially creating a Google+ presence we are in fact attempting to manipulate the search rankings because it isn't a networking site that makes sense for our business and there is actually very little real reason for us to get involved with it.

I really don't do any networking from our corp site nor do our clients per se. So what about 'manipulating' search rankings??? As long as you play by the rules is there something wrong with wanting to get as many customers as possible? Are you doing something you shouldn't be? etc.

As to the follow on to that paragraph about what Google stands for, well they want a good experience for the user and they don't want a lot of trash on the web. I am with them on that. They compete with other companies and Google+ is, at least, a partial response to that competition. I don't think they did it just so they could hug themselves at night.

Just like with Places, you need to own/verify your listing and get the info in it. I do not see a need for a full scale spend to over brand it. Make it clean, nice, be sure info is correct, etc. That is important and your manager needs to get it no matter what.

Hope this helps,

Robert