Search Marketing Sage

Hot off the press! Google+ Pages are launching worldwide! Previously only individuals could use Google+, but now any business, organization, brand, or place can create a Google+ Page. Google is switching from just “connecting people…” to building “relationships with all the things you care about.”

Creating your Page

Using the Create A Page tool, Google+ Pages can be created as they are released over the next two days. Once you start creating your page, you have the option to categorize yourself as one of the following:

• Local Business or Place (Note: Place Pages are still separate entities and must be managed separately.)
• Product or Brand
• Company, Institution or Organization
• Arts, Entertainment or Sports
• Other

Google+ now will be a place to connect your brand or business to your customers. Businesses can be added to circles and +1′ed. Hangouts and sharing can actively take place between your company and the people who are passionate about your brand. Strategize and experiment with Google+ to find out how it will work best for you.

Using the Google+ Page

Right now, unlike with Facebook, there can only be one page administrator. Creation of a page is through an existing personal gmail account. Whoever creates the login will have access to your page, so choose the creator wisely or make sure you are comfortable spreading the login information to your team.

Google+ offers the ability to post as yourself or as the brand. Discuss your strategy for use with your team before diving in. Do you want to have a corporate feel or is there someone who you want to represent your company with updates?

You will be able to change the name of your page as often as you’d like, but there is no option yet to have a “vanity url” like on Facebook.

+1 Your Business

Business pages will have an overall Google +1 count that shows on their profile page. On Pepsi’s profile on the left, there have been 311 +1′s.

You can add the Google+ Icon to your website to promote your new Google+ Business Page.

Direct Connect

Direct Connect is a new way for your Google+ Page to be found in search. For instance, if you search on Google for “+Pepsi” and press enter, you will be taken to their branded Google+ Page, where you will have the option to add the brand to your circles if you are signed into Google.

To enable Direct Connect, you will need to link your Google+ page to your website and back.

I am really excited for how Google+ is integrating Social and Search. Be sure to add Search Mojo’s Google+ Page to your circle!

What do you think about Google+ Pages? Are you excited or have suggestions for what Google+ should release next? Comment below, find me on Twitter @Lokitis, or find me on Google+ +Sarah Lokitis.