Top 5 Google+ Mistakes

Posted on February 20, 2012 in Social Media, by Al Harris

We’re really just scratching the surface when it comes to the potential of Google+ for businesses. The Google+ network holds much greater potential from a technical perspective than any previous social media platform. Yet, because we’re so early on in the adoption process, there are plenty of missteps and mistakes being made. While that’s bad news for the ones making the mistakes, we can benefit by learning what not to do.

Here are the top 5 Google+ mistakes you should avoid:

Inconsistent posting. As is often the case when a new social media site hits the scene, businesses rushed to put up Google+ pages almost immediately. They created updates a few times a week, and then slowly let it fall by the wayside. If you want to make the most of Google+, however, you need to post consistently. Followers have incredibly short memories, and if you go more than four or five days in between posts, you can put them off your brand forever.
Poor photo choice. The visual aspect to Google+ is perhaps more important than other social media. While Facebook is trying to give more and more prominence to images, the vast amount of white space in the Google+ interface means images are key. Make sure to choose the right profile picture. Mix up your Google+ updates with both text and photos. Choose photos for your updates that are interesting and evocative.
Under utilizing the recommended links section. The About area of your Google+ page contains a “recommended links” section. This is a great place to put your business URL, or even landing page links for lead generation.
Ineffective taglines. The tagline for your Google+ page should be short and clear. It should eliminate any confusion as to your identity. This is especially important if you have a popular brand or a brand name that’s easily confused with others. (That, of course, is a separate issue that you should probably deal with sooner rather than later.)
Ineffective use of Circles. One of the most compelling features of Google+ is Circles. Circles lets you direct specific updates to specific groups of people. By segmenting your Google+ followers with Circles, you can target your communications more effectively. Both those inside and outside a given circle will benefit from this practice.

Google+ holds plenty of potential for businesses, but you need to be smart about how you approach it.