3 Killer Google Plus Features To Grow Your Business

Although Google hasn’t rolled out the ability to create company profiles on G+ yet, there are still ways you can take advantage of the social network using a standard account. Google plus has features that are different from any other social network, and there are ways you can leverage those unique features to help your business better connect with customers and other businesses.

Circles

The first feature that makes Google+ stand out is the ability to create circles. You can put everyone you connect with into groups depending on your relationship with them. This makes it easy to share things with only customers, or with only employees within your company. Create a circle with your employees in it, then post reading material there– instead of sending an email to everyone with a link to an article that pertains to your business, everyone can find it there, as well as start a discussion about it.

Hangouts

Google’s “Hangout” feature is essentially a video conference call function. A hangout can include up to 20 people, and allows you to see everyone who is involved. The best part about hangouts is the ability to join them at any time. You can start a hangout, and then people you invite can join whenever they want. Rather than making a phone call and possibly missing the person, start a hangout– then, when it’s convenient for them, they’ll join the conversation. It eliminates the wasted time of trying to figure out the best time to call or playing phone tag.

Hangouts are also great for customer interaction. Instead of calling a customer service number, direct them to your Google+ page and have them start a hangout with you. Or, bring your top customers together into one hangout and ask them what kinds of products/services they would like to see from your company.

Sparks

Sparks allow you to set up a feed of results from Google on your favorite subjects. Set up a spark for SEO, for example, and Google will automatically deliver the latest search results for SEO right to your G+ page under the Sparks tab. It’s great for keeping up with trends in your industry and it can allow you to keep up to date with what your target audience is talking about.

Regardless of your industry or niche, Google Plus can help your business succeed. It’s only a matter of knowing how to reach people; and, soon, G+ may be the best way to do that.

This is a guest post by Jay Druba, you can check out the guidelines to guest post here.

Image Credit: Bruce Clay