We are now on our third step of using Google+ for business. Â This week we will learn how to use some of Google+ tools, as well as understand them. Â If you missed step one, click here to review it. Â For step two, click here.
1. The “+1†button
One tool that’s promising to become especially valuable is the Google +1 button. This icon has been compared to Facebook’s “Like†button, but it carries weight in Google Search results as well as on the entire Internet.
Also worth noting: It carries real value — unlike the Facebook “Like†button, which often is clicked only because a user wishes to (a) please a friend (b) gain some bonus one can’t access without “Liking†a post or page.
Using the “+1†button to favorite others’ content won’t artificially get you any bonuses — but it often will show your photo and link in search results for that item.
Think of the +1 button as your recommendation. If part of your services include pointing your subscribers and followers to powerful resources, the +1 button is the tool to use, when sharing the content of others.
- Install the “+1†button on all your sites — Google+ helps you do this by walking you through the process and generating code you can copy-paste into your website. If your site is a secure one, however, do check the code and manually add the “s†to your “https://†designation. (The Google+ code generator currently defaults to “http://†when writing code.)
- Educate your blog and website audience about “+1†with prompts and calls to action.
- Share “+1†recommendations in your Circles to:
- Get the ball rolling on conversations
- Share high value resources and links
- Put your personal seal of endorsement on other web content or posts
Remember, however, that it goes both ways. When you +1 a website or piece of content, you’re putting your reputation behind it — so be selective and be sparing. Other Google+ users may see your recommendation in Google search results.
- Mobile Support for “+1†— Another plus is that the “+1†button will be visible on your site to iPhones with iOS 4.0+, as well as Android 2.1+ browsers.
- “+1†badge Sizes — The chiclets come in four sizes, ranging from 15px to 60px.
2. Google+ Badges
Another tool you won’t be able to live without: Your Google+ badge. Use these much as you would use your Facebook badges. Embed them on your websites.
They are easy enough to create — simply go to the Badge creation plugin page and fill in the blanks, selecting the size of badge you want to use:
You can learn more about badge creation and customization on the Developers page.
We will cover more Google+ tools in our upcoming webinar on using Google+ plus for business. Â Keep your eyes peeled to upcoming blog posts for more information on our future webinar.
Which Google+ tools do you use? Do they add any value to your social networking. Leave us your responses below in the comment section. Thank you for reading. Come back next week when we discuss creating a Google+ page for your business. See you next week!
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