Best way to use Google+ effectively?

[simpson7647]

Hi all,

I read somewhere the other day that Google+ will be phenomenon in 2015 as it allows businesses to easily appear in Google searches, whether there big or small. Apparently you have to 'claim your listing' but what do they. Mean by this?

I've noticed that each company listed when search for something on Google such as 'builders in Manchester' have a star rating. I'm guessing this is reviews but how do customers rate them through this?

Apologies for the lack of knowledge regarding Google+ but I'm hoping to gain the required knowledge for this and make the most of this opportunity.

Many thanks all,

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Setting up and listing with google is straight forward. You just need to follow their instructions online.

Pete

 

[Nochexman]

I'm not sure that we get any traffic at all from Google Plus; I can't see any in the analytics (unless it is hidden away under some obscure page title). So, I am a little bemused by the claim that it will be the phenomenon of 2015 (are you sure they didn't mean 2051?). Is anyone out there benefiting from it in any great way?

 

[StevePoster]

The best way to use Google+ is to expand your product and services influence. As you notice there is a feature in Google+ page that builds circles of members which means it creates a community that is related to your field. A great way to engage with your audience and same industry as well as building reputation in the process.

 

[iiisark]

To be honest most of the reviews you are seeing on Google+ a fake. The SEO's realized the power of the reviews and flooded the web. Unfortunately, these fake reviews do a pretty good job and small business owners need to do the same in order to be competitive. However, there is still ways to get real reviews for your company. First you will need your company displayed on Google Maps. If you don't have Google+ page, you can start by creating one here:
https://plus.google.com/pages/create

Before displaying your company, Google will require you to confirm your address by sending you a postcard with a verification pin. You can find the application process explained in this post:
https://support.google.com/business/answer/2911778?hl=en

Then you will have to engage with your customers. Here is an excerpt of our post: "How to Increase Your Online Customer Reviews" :

1. Make it easy for your customers to review your business. Email them with a link that’s usable, for example.
2. Ask for a review right after their experience with your business- you’re more likely to get a response.
3. Whether you request a review in person, via phone, or a popup on your website, follow up the request in 3 days with a reminder, if you haven’t gotten one yet. This is a good time to mention that you should always be collecting your customers’ email addresses!"

You can read the full post on our blog: http://blog.toppages.co.uk/how-to-increase-your-online-customer-reviews/

 

[GoPromotionalUK]

Google+ isn't so much a social media platform like Twitter and Facebook, but an identity platform that works with Google to connect across all our different devices and web services.