Google Plus: Guide for Business

YOUR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO CREATING & MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL PAGE

After writing a bunch of articles about Google+ page management, I thought it would appropriate to combine all my work into a free ebook on setting-up and optimizing a Google+ page.

I’m going to walk you through entire process of setting-up a page in Google+, and give you some tips on what to do — and (more importantly) what not to do.  Setting-up a page is very easy, and you can actually get a basic page created in under 5 minutes.

So let’s get started . . .

Step 1: Pick Your Page Category

When you first visit Google+ Create a Page – you’re asked to choose a category:

• Local Business or Place
• Product or Brand
• Company, Institution or Organization
• Arts, Entertainment or Sports
• Other

This might be confusing for your organization because you might fit into several categories.  At this point, don’t worry about picking the wrong category.  Just pick a category that you think best fits your business.  At some point, you’ll be able to change it if needed.

Step 2: Add Your Info

As you can see, you just need to type in the name of your page, URL (optional), select a category from the drop-down, select who may view your page, and agree to the pages terms and conditions. You can change your page name and website info later, so don’t worry if you make a mistake here.

Step 3: Add your tagline and profile photo

Be aware that when people find your page listed in search or when hovering their mouse over your icon, your tagline will get cut.  As a best practice, keep your message and/or important keywords in the first 21 characters of the tag line.  Don’t worry too much about getting the right tagline yet because you can edit this later.  Just write something that describes your page.  You don’t need to add a photo for your page at this point unless you already have it ready.

BTW, here is an example of how page tag lines get cut in Google+ and why the first 21 characters are most important . . .

 Step 4: Don’t get the word out (yet)

After adding a tag line, page name, and picture, Google invites you to message people about your new page.  I advise against this since you haven’t optimized your page with content yet.  You should wait to promote your new page after you’ve done more work.  You want to make a good first impression.

Step 5: Don’t post an update yet.

Google then invites you to post content on your page. If you click “Post on your page,” you’ll have an opportunity to post a public update.  I recommend skipping this step and going directly to your page to begin optimizing it with pictures and information about your page.

Once skipping this step, you’re dropped into the main Google+ page.  To find your new page, simply look on the left-side where your name is located.  Click on the drop-down arrow to find the page you’ve just created and click on it.

Step 6: Write your “About” Section (And Pay Most Attention to the First 56 Characters)

Once you’re on your page,  click the blue”Edit Profile”button.

Then roll your mouse over the introduction area (which will highlight blue) and click to begin writing your introduction.

When people see your page listed in a “people and pages” query in Google+, they will see your page name along with a snippet of text (pulled from your “About” section).  Google pulls the first 56 characters from your introduction, so choose these words carefully.

Here is an example of how your page will look in a “people and pages” query in Google+ and why the first 56 characters are most important  . . .

Step 7: Add your contact information and website address

Roll your mouse over each of these sections to complete your profile.  I recommend letting people know who is administrating this page within the “introduction” or “contact info” area so that other people know who to contact with questions.  This can help add a “human feel” to your page — as well as credibility.

Step 8: Add pictures to your photo strip area.

When in editing mode, you can add pictures to your photo strip by simply hovering over the photo strip area and clicking your mouse.

You’ll then see a gray box that you can click to upload a picture. You can keep adding pictures — but only 5 will be visible on the strip.

This article is a work-in-progress, and I’m continuing to add to this page as more Google+ page features are added.

Share your thoughts in our Google+ thread or comment below.