What is Google+ Business?
When Google+ was originally rolled out this past spring, Google asked small businesses to wait to create their Google+ business profiles. Well, now the wait is over for those who have Google Apps for Business. Of course, the purpose of this test with this group is to iron out any of the potential bugs that are generally associated with any new product. Google+ business profiles should be made available to the rest of the public later in November. In fact, I’m wondering which will roll out quicker, Google+ business or Facebook Timeline! But that’s another article. This article will focus on what is known about Google+ Business.
The benefits of Google+ Business seem very exciting. For example, how nice will it be to be able to have your business involved with social media and have the control of not having to put up with annoying pictures or being interrupted by unwanted chats during business hours? But what else is known about this newest rival to the Facebook Fan Page? According to social media today contributor and best selling SEO author David Amerland, “for Google Apps users the service… gives us a first look at what we might expect by way of functionality.”
Google+ Business | How will it work?
Google+ Business appears to be like Google+ on steroids.
Google+ Circles similarities: In fact, the Google+ Business can function similarly to a company intranet. Just as Circles gives users a flexible and simple way to share, Google+ Business will allow you to share and separate content as well. In addition, it will allow you to communicate within your internal departments, or specific groups, share data and exchange information.
Google+ Hangouts similarities: Google+ Business users can now engage in an impromptu video chat in the Google+ Business Profile. In addition, it will allow you the options of sharing screen shots and collaborating in real-time on a Google Doc. Imagine being able to work with another department in another state real time on a Google presentation or a shared spreadsheet document!. This technology will greatly improve internal company communications that would otherwise cost companies thousands of dollars to implement. Now consider the potential of such hands on, personal interaction with your customers.
Google+ Business | Will there be a migration tool?
Despite warnings from Google to hold off on creating a profile account for business, several people have set up private profiles and used them to share content and market their businesses. If you’ve done this, then you’ll be pleased to know that Google is working on a migration tool. This migration tool will allow users to port their data over to their Business Profile on Google+. This may be available by the time the Business Profiles is launched to the public in November.
Let’s hope that this migration tool will work better than the Facebook Fan Page migration tool!
Google+ Business | Conclusion
As a company, we are excited to use and set up our Google+ Business profiles and see how well the technology works. After all, the ability to share documents real time with other groups and departments as well as have some privacy from others is very enticing. However, there’s also a part of us that wants to wait to see how the bugs get worked out prior to getting involved.
What do you think? Are you willing to risk the frustration of bugs and jump into Google+ Business or will you wait until the public launch?