Google has just announced the availability of 'Pages', allowing businesses and other organisations to establish their profile on the Google+ social media system. Pages will allow you to share updates, images and videos with individuals and companies that have added the Page to one of their circles.

According to Google, "Google+ Pages provides businesses, products, brands, entertainment and organizations with an identity and presence on Google+". For more information, you can see Google+ Pages Help.

Setting up a Google Plus page is fairly straightforward, although Google does insist that you create a link back from your company or organisation to your new Page, like the one above.

The other interesting update is the inclusion of Google Direct Connect. This allows people to go directly to the Page from search by entering the + (plus sign) and then the Page name in Google search. Only "eligible Pages" will only be able to claim their Direct Connect search term, but at the moment the details of how to become eligible are unclear.

Should I bother with Google+?

Splice Marketing

Google wants every business site to have a badge like this

If you have (or would like) any kind of online brand presence, a Google + page is going to be pretty much a requirement. The main reason is to ensure that searches for your brand preceded with the + sign end up on your Page, and not a competitors. As Google search has over 90% or the search engine market share in the UK, it is critical for most companies that they do not lose these potential visitors.

However, it remains to be seen if Google+ Pages, or Google+ as a whole are able to make significant inroads into the social media landscape.

Need to know how to make the most of Social Media Marketing for your business, or need help managing your Social Media accounts? Contact us for a no obligation chat. Or see our Google+ Page!