What Does Google+ Shutting Down Mean For Your Business

If you one of the people who have recently received an email regarding Google’s announcement of shutting down Google+, you aren’t alone. There’s no cause for panic – here is our guide on how to get through the 5 stages of grief as soon as possible.

A Quick Recap On Google+

Born in 2011, Google+ was first created as a social networking platform in the hopes of making Google a more social platform that could compete against Facebook. Users could make profiles and connect with their web of family and friends (sounds all too familiar?). However, due to several security flaws, as well as “low usage and engagement” from users, Google has figured that it might be better off spending their resources somewhere else or building a whole new product altogether – which we are hoping that they will, soon.

How Will It Affect My Brand?

Studies have shown that while Google+ does have an impact on your brand’s SEO results, you will be glad to know that the impact is considered minimal if you were to compare it a well-rounded SEO campaign that a Digital Marketing Agency in Singapore has specially crafted for you.

In fact, if you have been heavily relying on this withering platform to improve your business’s organic visibility, boost traffic and increase user engagement, it may be time to rethink your strategy.

We recommend gradually tapering down your sharing schedule on the platform and slowly saying your goodbyes, instead shifting your focus on the alternatives that we are about to list down below.

Goodbye Google+, Hello Google My Business

Ever heard of something called Google My Business (GMB)? Even if you haven’t, we are sure that you have come across its effects while searching for local businesses near you on Google. This platform gets special mention, since Google loves their own offspring, which is reason enough for you to love it too.

If you have ever used any product or service from Google, you will have no problem integrating GMB as part of your day-to-day. GMB is a free and easy-to-use tool that anyone with a Google account can use to improve their appearance on Google Search and Google Maps. In fact, this platform is actually more useful than Google+ for boosting your local SEO ranking!

The magic in GMB lies in Google Posts that allows brands to share content that is more visible as compared to social media. With over 93% of online experiences beginning with a search on Google, optimizing your GMB profile and regularly posting updates can truly set you apart from the competition. Just like any other content piece that you craft out, ensure that you include clear images, well-written copy and an excellent website that customers can go to for more information. SEO best practices are still important here – and if you need help with your keywords, we highly recommend reaching out to a Digital Marketing Agency for their SEO services.

Social Media Frenzy

With Google+ out of the way, social media is here to stay. Here is a list of great social media platforms that are great alternatives for posting your content, as well as the type of content that fares the best:

Facebook: Videos and Curated Content

Instagram: High-res Photos, Quotes, Short-form Videos and Stories

Twitter: News, Blog Posts and GIFs, Frequent Updates and Conversations

LinkedIn: Job listings, Career Information, Company News and Professional Content

Pinterest: Infographics and Step-by-step Guides

Tumblr: Micro-blogging, Text, Photos, Links, Videos, Audio and Reblogs

While every platform has their pros and cons, see to it that you repurpose your content to fit each platform and your target audience. No matter where you post your content, always include a clear call-to-action, with clear links to your website or original blog.

While the demise of Google+ comes with the rise of various social networks such as MeWe, Steemit and several others, we will be sure to keep our eyes peeled for Google’s latest updates – and what it means for you to continue staying relevant in the internet ecosystem.