Weekly Bulletin December 2011
There is no doubt that social media is a rapidly growing market with the latest entrant being none other than Google. In an effort to compete with Facebook and develop into more of a social network they introduced Google +1, which was shortly followed by a Google +1 add-on. Businesses could then add a Google +1 button to their websites, much like Twitter, Facebook or Digg buttons, used to optimise SEO and social marketing efforts.
Google +1 is a way of endorsing a website, search result or post and publicly gives something your stamp of approval. This form of recommendation helps others to see something they may be interested in and helps them to find the best information when they need it. Whether it is an interesting business review, recipe, hotel or service, +1 helps others to find the best “stuff”. Basically improving search results.
If you are signed into your Google account every Google search result will now have a +1 icon next to it. If you like the site or found it useful you hit the +1 icon which endorses the site. The more +1’s a site achieves the more interesting it is perceived to be and by seeing what your friends +1’d lends more credibility to that site.
Any small software business can now add the +1 button onto their website so that visitors won’t have to come out of your site and revert back to the Google search pages in order to click the +1 button in Google’s search results. This makes it a much easier way for visitors to your site to recommend you within their business and social circles.
Anyone who has a Google public profile is able to use +1. Once a profile has been created connections with your email address can easily find it. Those with a Google account but no Google Profile will see the personalised +1s but can’t add them. Anyone who isn’t logged into Google will see aggregated +1 data.
Although this new social media tool is in its infancy, it will surely develop as time goes on. With social media being used as an every day marketing tool for many businesses with some fantastic results Google+1 is a new social search tool that shouldn’t be ignored. It’s like word of mouth marketing, but uses the Internet’s largest stage.
I would encourage all smaller software companies to investigate the potential of Google +1 for their advantage. Don’t miss out on the opportunities that social media offers business. If you would like to discuss in more detail how to successfully build social media into your marketing strategy, please call me on 01536 771440 or visit my website www.terryforsey.com.
