Top 5 Best Practices for Google+

July 26, 2012 | By Ilfusion Team

Google+ quickly became a top contender for social media platforms right beside Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and it’s time businesses started to fully utilize it. Google created a platform that intertwines the best things about Facebook and Twitter: the ability to post statuses, links and photos, to comment and +1 them like you can on Facebook, and the ability to follow people directly without the mutual follow, hashtags and tagging like on Twitter. Google also incorporated new ideas like their “circle” to customize posts.

Here are our top 5 best practices for Google+:

1. Share

One of the best things about Google+ is their circle feature. This allows you to customize your postings to a specific audience and their needs. Then you can use the same posting, switch it up a little and post it again targeting a different audience. You have an unlimited number of circles and the same person can be added to more than one for optimal targeting.

2. Hashtags

Like Twitter, Google+ allows hashtags (#) in their posts to label keywords. Members use them in Google search for specific topics and to filter their searches, so as a business, you need to utilize them! When writing your posts, add a # in front of a keyword and like on Twitter, a suggestion of already used hashtags will appear. If none of these are your word, keep typing, end with a space and the hashtag will be created. This will help in more ways than just on Google+ because they show up in general Google searches.

3. Strategy

Like any other social media platform, for a business to really thrive they need to have a strategy. Keep in mind what kind of content your audience is interested in reading, what times and days they’re getting on Google+, and how they’re using it. If you can tap into their daily routine, you’re more likely to make an impact. As always, organization is key.

4. Personalize

Add photos, keep all of your profile information updated, and make sure your brand image is consistent. If your business has established a certain voice on other social media platforms, by all means, use that voice on Google+ too! Build relationships by sharing your photos, links, opinions and promotions.

5. Engage, Engage, Engage

We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: Google+ is a community! Start conversations and encourage other members. You can comment on posts and even +1 them (Google’s form of the ‘Like’ button). The more you interact, the more your brand is being seen and therefore the more chances you have of gaining a new loyal customer.