9 Simple Must-Dos to Properly Set Up Your Company

Google+ Profile

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Ben Molfetta

http://coreonlinemarketing.com/blog/how-to-set-up-your-company-google-plus-page

As we have mentioned in previous posts, Google+ is an important social media platform for maximizing your online

marketing success.

Google+ is the social layer that unites all of Google’s services – search, YouTube, maps, etc. Signals from Google+

can impact the search ranking of your website and the findability of your business. Based on the trends we are seeing,

active engagement on Google+ is a must within your online marketing activities.

Setting up your Google+ presence properly is essential to reaping the benefits. Since Google integrates all of its

services with Google+, there are many interconnected elements to consider.

9 Steps for Setting Up Google+

1. Create a Personal Google+ Profile: Yes, you personally need to be on Google+. Someone needs to be the face of your

company. You will also need this profile for some later steps that are absolutely crucial to helping your content be found

online. You must have a Gmail account to start. Created one if needed, then go to www.plus.google.com to get started.

2. Create a Local Business Page: While logged into your personal profile, create a new profile for your business with

Google Local at www.google.com/+/business. This is particularly important for businesses that work within a defined

region and want to be found by potential clients in that location.

3. Verify the Local Business Page: To prove to Google that your company exists and to ‘put yourself on the map’ (literally,

as you will be findable on Google Maps after completing this step), you must undergo Google’s verification process.

Google will mail a postcard to your location. (Yes, snail mail!) Once you receive the postcard, go to your business profile

page and follow the instructions at the top of the page, entering the provided code.

4. Connect Your Local Business Page to Your Website: Add your website in the appropriate place on your Google+

profile. Google will send you information to verify that you own that website through Google Webmaster tools. Follow

their instructions. You will know it worked when your website has a little checkmark next to it on your Google+ page.

5. Update Your Company Information: Ensure the company information on your Google profile is correct and up-to-date.

Describe your organization and what you do.

6. Upload Photos: Particularly if you are a product-focused organization, create albums on Google+ with high quality

photos of your products. Include a description for each picture, and appropriate tags.

7. Link to Your YouTube Channel: If your business has a YouTube channel, link your Google+ page to your YouTube

account.

8. Interact: Regularly post your own content, as well as sharing content from others. Follow influencers and business

associates in your industry (both from your business profile and your personal profile). Join a Community of interest

(learn more about Google+ Communities here).

9. Link Your Personal Profile to Your Website’s Blog: If you’re blogging from your company website (and you should

be), you can link your personal Google+ profile to that blog. Your image will show up next to your articles on search

results, and increase clicks. Just ensure that you are active on your personal account, and that you have an appropriate bio

and image.

Although there are many more ways you can take advantage of Google+, these initial “must-do’s” will put you miles

ahead of your competition who may not even be aware of the importance of Google+. Take the time to make these

Google+ fundamentals solid – the effort will be well worth it.