Facebook For Business vs. Google+

Posted in: social media marketing  |  August 11, 2011 at 11:36 am
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If you are nervous about your business being left in the dust because you haven’t jumped on the Google+ band wagon yet, don’t be. As it stands, businesses are not welcome on Google+, at least not yet anyway. Google says that should change in the near future. And don’t bother creating a personal account for your business either, because chances are Google will disable it.  

While you wait for Google+ to start accommodating eager (and now slightly annoyed) businesses you can refocus your energy on Facebook with their new product, Facebook for Business.

What is Facebook For Business?

Shortly after Google+ was launched Facebook for Business went live.  Chances are if you have been on Facebook for a while and have a great fan base then you are already familiar with what is in the easy to use guide. Basically it breaks down the four main components for business success on Facebook. The step by step guide offers information on:

  • Pages – Your business profile.
  • Ads – Highly targeted advertisement.
  • Sponsored Stories – Showing users who of their friends like your business.
  • Platform – Plugins and custom application.

Just because Google+ isn’t ready for businesses to jump on board, doesn’t mean you should ignore it all together. We recommend creating a personal account and becoming familiar with Google+. Why? Because Google has over a billion users who could potentially join Google+. In comparison, Facebook has just over a half a billion users, but many of them haven’t been pleased with customer service and privacy concerns.

What is Google+? 

It is Google’s newest attempt at going social. Although user numbers are quickly climbing on an invitation only basis, it remains to be seen if this new social networking site will compete with Facebook. Google’s other attempts – Google Wave and Google Buzz – didn’t even come close, but the new “project” certainly shows more potential. 

How does it work?

Google+ incorporated Google’s already widely popular products such as Picasa, Google Maps, and others by making them more socially compatible. Similar to the Facebook news feed, Google+ has a Stream where user updates are displayed. There are four main components of a Google+ profile:

  • Circles – A way to keep friends, family, and work separate.
  • Hangouts – A virtual gathering for multiple people through live video chatting. 
  • Huddles – A group mobile chat feature that allows you to make plans with multiple people.
  • Sparks – An aggregate of all the things you like and want to follow.

Are you on Google+? Tell us what you think!

 

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Written by

Adrianne is the Chief Velocity Officer of Tornado Marketing, Inc. and a partner in The Art of Online Marketing. Adrianne has spent over 15 years helping small businesses find their niche and systematically grow their businesses through effective marketing programs and persuasive messaging. Adrianne provides valuable insight into how to market complex solutions. Her clients appreciate her practical advice and business value-driven approach to marketing. With Adrianne on your team, you’ll differentiate from your competitors; consistently draw in your best prospects; and close more deals. When not working, Adrianne is usually found cheering on her kids’ sports teams, reading, or playing games (Scrabble anyone?). She is continually seeking work-life balance and the answer to life’s larger questions.