Google+ Pages – Are They For Your Business?

December 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Here’s the WHO – WHAT- WHERE – WHY – WHEN and HOW TO when it comes to Google+ Pages for your business.

What is a Google+ Page?
If you’re not already familiar with Google+, it’s a social media platform that allows you to group your “friends” into Circles. Unlike Facebook where all your “friends” are lumped together, Circles let you divide your contacts into Friends, Colleagues, Family, etc. People can be part of more than one of your Circles – it’s up to you. Share things with the appropriate Circle and no need to worry about your boss seeing last weekend’s party!

The basics of Google+ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC_M6PzXS9g

Google+ Pages are for businesses. Your page, profile image and recent posts are eligible to show up on the right-hand side of a relevant Google search. People can follow your Google+ Pages. Relevant posts can also show up within search results for your pages’ followers.

Why should you be on Google+ Pages?
One of the most basic reasons is Google+ integrates with all other Google services like Search, Google Places, Google Maps etc.  By creating and maintaining a Google+ Page you will likely see an SEO boost.  If your business is more a “brick and mortar” type with a Google Places page, having a Google+ Page will help add valuable information to your Places page.

Where will your Google+ Page show up?
Besides the already mentioned relevant Google searches, when you connect your website to your Google+ Page searches for your site can display links to any recent Google+ posts.

Who is on Google+?
According to Circle Count, a company that tracks Google+ activity worldwide, the United States, India and Brazil have the most users and those users are typically students, developers, engineers, designers and photographers. But more important is the fact that anyone who is logged into Google (eg. Gmail, YouTube) will have their search results personalized and if they or any of their Circle friends have shared your Google+ page your site would be at an advantage for outranking your competition!

When was Google+ Pages launched?
November 7, 2011. Time to join the Circle!

How to create your Google+ Page.
First you need to have a Google account. If you don’t follow this link:
https://accounts.google.com/NewAccount

Next create a Google+ Page (https://plus.google.com/pages/create). Add your company name and images to customize your page. Then, tell visitors more about your company by completing the “About” section. Be sure to including your website and a detailed description. This can help customers find you across Google.

Don’t forget:

  • link your Google+ Page on your website
  • encourage people to share your Google+ content
  • let people see recommendations from friends and colleagues

Visit our Google + Page and add us to your circle!

 

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What are QR Codes?

October 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Scanning QR code with mobile phoneWhat are those crooked little black and white squares we’re seeing on store windows, magazines, packages…just about everywhere we look?

They’re called QR codes – QR standing for “quick response”.

They require a QR reader on a smartphone to decipher and typically lead to a page on the web with valuable information about a product, service or even an event.

As a means of mobile marketing, QR codes represent an opportunity for businesses to directly promote to their target audience. According to a comScore survey 6.2% of smartphone users scan QR codes. This may sound like an insignificant number but keep in mind many businesses find Twitter has increased their business and Twitter touts only a 13% share of people using the web.

The demographic of those scanning a QR code with their smartphone is typically be male, between the ages of 25 to 34 and an upper income bracket.

[Read the comSource report]

Could your business take advantage of a QR code?

Here are five tips to consider:

1. Offer something of value

Don’t use a QR code to send users to your website’s homepage. Create a landing page specifically for that QR code and offer something unique that isn’t available on your site

  • a video
  • a contest
  • a free report

Customize the offering for your market. If stay-at-home moms are your target, a fun contest might work. A free report would appeal to business executives. Be creative!

2. Include a Call To Action

Don’t rely on people’s curiosity! Not everyone will automatically scan your QR code. Remember to include the benefit the user will receive.

3. Help users read the QR code

These codes are relatively new so include some directions, like where to go to download a QR reader or hints on how to successfully scan the code.

4. Get a QR code

Creating the actual QR code is simple. Google has a free QR code generator. Simply enter the URL that you want users to visit and it produces the code.

[Get the Google QR Code Generator]

5. Place the QR code everywhere

Nowadays people always have their smartphones with them so don’t limit your QR codes placement to print. Think about taking advantage of your store windows, your business cards, direct mailers, packaging, on your receipts and bills.

Now that you know what QR codes are and why you should have one, get busy and create one for your business!

Need some inspiration? Check out these clever QR Code Ideas!

 

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Grab Some Google “LOVE” With a Smartphone Optimized Site!

October 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Google SearchHow does your website look when viewed on an iPhone, Droid or Blackberry?

Google is testing a way to let users know when a website has been smartphone-optimized. They’re doing this by inserting a small icon next to these search results.

 

If you think people aren’t searching for you on their smartphones, take a look at this recent survey:
http://ansonalex.com/infographics/smartphone-usage-statistics-2012-infographic/

84% of smartphone owners use their mobile phones to browse the internet.

Google wants to be our search engine of choice by helping us identify smartphone-optimized sites and delivering a great user experience.

Time to say good bye to those old, awkward websites and hello to mobile friendly ones!

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Don’t Daisy Chain your Online Accounts!

October 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

2 Step VerificationDo you ever use the same password for multiple websites?

We all do this out of necessity. Who can remember umpteen passwords right?

Using the same password for multiple websites weakens your password and makes it easier to steal.

Signing in to Gmail from a public computer or someone else’s computer can also get your password hacked!

There are dozens of horror stories out there recounting the havoc just such hacking has reeked on today’s digital life!
[Read “How Apple and Amazon Security Flaws Led to My Epic Hacking”]

Google to the rescue!

Google’s 2-Step Verification can help protect your account even if your password is stolen or cracked.

Setting up 2-Step Verification requires you to login into your Google account and request a verification code be sent to your phone. You then enter the verification code online to login into your account. There is a 30 day option which permits you to log in for 30 days without requesting a new code each time.

The premise of the 2-Step Verification is a hacker would need to know your password and have access to your phone in order to break into your account.

Here’s a great video from Google on how to turn on this great security feature:

http://youtu.be/zMabEyrtPRg

Take the time now to be sure you’re not the next victim of hackers!

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