I work with hundreds of small business owners or their representatives/managers. Throughout our various meetings during the year, we discuss their digital presence, or where they "rank" on Google. There is so much confusion for the small business owner and they really don't have the time to constantly study and stay up to date on the changing landscape of the internet. So, they rely heavily upon my experience, knowledge and assistance to make sure they have their bases covered online.
One thing I have identified for the majority of my clients is that they have not claimed their Google+ page. I know, you are thinking, "What is that?" Right? Well, Google entered into the social media game and over the past year and a half or so Google+ has morphed into a primary player in the social media game. Also, since it's owned by Google, it is becoming more and more critical to a small business that they have and manage their Google+ page as it is affecting the rank of their website in the organic listings and ads on the Google SERP.
So, what are the benefits to the small business owner? Here are just a few:
- Ratings & Reviews are all linked back to a page that the business owner can manage, approve or disapprove. Any business owner will tell you that the ability to manage and respond to reviews is critical.
- Coupons & Offers can be posted and shared directly through Google and in the Google local listings through the Carousel feature.
- When searching a local business, the consumer can link directly to the Google+ page and see all those reviews and offers.
- Although Google says that having a Google+ page bears no weight in the SERP results, when logged into my Google account I see more and more Google+ posts in the SERP rankings.
So, hopefully you, as a small business owner see the benefit of claiming and managing your Google+ page. I'm here to help and assist. I don't profess to know everything, but I have great resources and can get answers to any questions you may like answered via this blog.
Thanks!
Often I am working with a client to enhance and broaden their online presence. In fact, this is an almost daily occurence. In the course of these conversations it's rather interesting that they will get a call or email from someone out of the area promising to guarantee first position on Google for their website. Sometimes they even get that call from a local person masquerading as a marketing professional. Well, here's the advice I give.
- For those who are not local, that is easy. I tell them if the person cannot walk into your office or meet you out in the public if you don't have an office, tell them to get lost! Seriously, do you think there isn't someone in your local community or the next closest who cannot help with your online visibility?
- For that local person who can walk in, let's determine their knowlege level with a few simple questions you can ask them such as:
- What is a SERP?
- What determines ranking in Google Places?
- What is a title tag?
- What order does Google read the website?
- What is an alt tag?
- For the local person who can answer all your questions, let's talk about their experience and outcomes:
- How many current clients do you have?
- Do you have written and signed testimonial letters?
- What will you charge me for each change I want you to make?
- How many of your current client websites rank in first position on the major search engines?
- How many of your current client websites rank on page one or two of the Google search results?
- What level of ongoing support do they offer?
This is just a brief conversation to share with you some of the things you, as a business owner, should be asking anyone who wants to manage your online visibility and presence. If you have questions or comments, please post here or email me at lisafausey@gmail.com.
