Google+ decoded by Nutcracker!

A phrase you may have heard a lot recently may be ‘what is Google+?’ Loads of people have been talking about it and now we are going to fill YOU in on what the hype is all about!

Last week Google introduced us to their brand new social network Google+ which has been dubbed ‘the Facebook killer’. At Nutcracker we have been exploring whether this will actually be the case, by investigating what Google+ actually offers.

Obviously the launch of Google+ is Google’s attempt to introduce social networking into their expanding portfolio and therefore gain market share within this area. Google explains its new service below;

‘We realise that today people are increasingly connecting with one another in the web. But the ways in which we connect online are limited and don’t mimic our real-life relationships. The Google+ project is our attempt to make online sharing even better. We aren’t trying to replace what’s currently available; we just want to introduce a new way to connect online with the people that matter to you. Sounds pretty cool, huh? And it is. There are 5 main features to Google+: circles, hangouts, instant upload, sparks and huddle.’

So here Nutcracker goes at explaining them!

Circles

Other social networks such as Facebook are about sharing content with a wide audience. Google however have chosen a different approach in that circles allow the user to group friends, family and colleagues for example into groups. This allows the information displayed to each group to vary. This feature allows for the separation of your personal and private life a characteristic that Facebook does not have.

Hangouts

These are a great feature which sets Google+ apart from Facebook. Within hangouts up to 10 users can simultaneously video chat face-to-face with each other. How good is that!

Instant uploads

This allows the photos that you take on your phone to be easily accessible. Whilst you practice your photography skills, Google+ adds your photos to a private album in the cloud. This allows all of your pictures to be available across your devices ready to share as you see fit.

Sparks

Have you heard the phrase ‘spark a conversation’? Well this in many ways explains this feature. Google+ keeps a feed of content based on your hobbies, interests and preferences which you can view at any given time which you can then choose to share with other friends/contacts who have the same interests.

Huddle

This group text chat tool is for individuals to have private conversations within a circle. This feature can be used directly from a mobile phone (Android 2.0+ or iPhone 4.0+).

There is some fantastic information about these features within the videos on the below link.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/introducing-google-project-real-life.html

Things to remember about Google+

• At present there is only an Android App available for Google+
• Awaiting approval is an Apple App
• ‘Pages’ similar to Facebook ‘Fan Pages’ will allow businesses to market their service on Google+ according to Google’s Jeff Huber.
• Google+ has adapted its privacy settings by eliminating the ability to share certain semi-private posts to other users and friends.
• On Google+ you still own everything you put on there unlike Facebook which takes co-ownership.
• Gaming rumours for Google+ are already circulating.
• Facebooks response to the Google+ hype is the announcement of ‘something awesome’ on 6th July 2011…a deal with Skype maybe to launch a video chat service?
• Information site Mashable has already published instruction on how to import your Facebook contacts into Google+. No time wasted there!

But you can’t get Google+ yet! Only a few selected individuals received an invite so for now all you can do is sign-up to receive notifications of when new invites will be available.

So is Google+ the end of Facebook..?

Well we don’t think so. It will take a lot for Facebook users to switch over to Google+. Most non techy Facebook followers are content with their user experience on Facebook. They are on there because everyone else is! Unless Google+ offers something significantly different to Facebook which could compel users to switch across then we think Facebook is safe for the time being.

Finally Google join the social revolution with Google+

Well the time has come. Google have unveiled Google+, a social strand to add to the company’s search engine which is set to rival the likes of Facebook and Twitter.

Vic Gundotra Google’s senior vice president of the social sector has managed a yearlong project which has finally led to the rollout of Google+. Despite the project been delayed several times it is now set to challenge Facebook’s dominance within the social networking arena.

You may have noticed that Google have redesigned their home page navigation bar. The familiar grey strip at the top of Google has been replaced by a black bar displaying new options for accessing your Google+ profile and engaging with other users.

The underlining function of Google+ is to become a social network. Initially users will be introduced to the ‘stream’ feature. This is similar to Facebook’s ‘news feed’ and allows for the users content to be shared with friends.

Explore Google+ for yourselves by clicking on the below link then let us know what you think on Twitter @nutcrackernet.

https://plus.google.com/up/start/?sw=1&type=st

At the moment Google+ is still on trial and only a select number of people are able to participate during this period.

However it won’t be long before we can all have a go!

Social Media and YOUR business...

For more information on how Nutcracker Design & Marketing can help YOUR business embrace the power of Social Media then call us today on 01384 455 141 to book an appointment.

Top 10 reasons why a business today needs a website.

1. A website allows your business to be open to the World 24 hours a day…7 days a week…365 days a year!

Unlike many company’s offices which may only be open 9:00am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday, a website is open 24 hours a day…7 days a week…365 days a year. Time zones all over the world may affect your business- therefore having a website which is live on the internet continuously makes it easily accessible and convenient for everyone to use.

2. It can be an organisations online brochure/catalogue which can be updated at anytime

Websites are easier, cheaper and quicker to update than conventional printed material. Unlimited amounts of information can be uploaded onto a website which can provide users with a plethora of comprehensive information. Which in turn may save your organisation money on printing and distribution costs.

3. A global audience allows for new markets to be reached

You are no longer a ‘local business’ when you are on the internet! Organisations then have the opportunity to be seen by millions all over the world. The internet had become the most cost effective way to trade both nationally and internationally.

4. The internet can lead to improved customer service

Many organisations now have a ‘FAQ’ (frequently asked questions) page within their website. Providing answers to customers questions via your website, sales and information requests can be processed instantly, regardless if someone is in the office or not. Also, online forms can be used by customers to request quotations or make enquiries. This allows company spending else ware as information such as pricelists can be available as downloads.

5. Present a Professional Image

A well designed website can be a great way for a small business to instil confidence into prospective customers as it allows a company to look bigger than you actually are! Today many people assume all organisations have websites. By now your primary competitors will already have a website. If they do, keep up with them and be sure to make yours better.

6. Sell your products

Having a website means that there is no need to pay expensive rent, overheads and many of the other expenses that come with owning a premises. Selling products/services over the internet is much cheaper as well as being a good way to supplement your offline business. What’s more, providing online secure ordering is now very affordable for even small organisations.

7. Promote your services

Millions of users are referring to the web and are using company’s websites to aid the decision making process. The internet now shows customers that they have a choice so it is important that you make you website and offering as appealing as possible!

8. Gather information and generate valuable leads

Forms and surveys can be used to gather information about your customers and potential customers. Customers can now come and find you opposed you organisations going out and getting leads. Websites can therefore be a great tool for prospecting target customers that have been looking at your products and services.

9. Provides instant gratification

Today people are very busy and don’t like to wait for information. It is important to give customers what they want, when they want it. Trials, downloads and free samples are a great way to get prospects to interact with your website. Pictures, brochures, software, videos, music and much more can be displayed and distributed from a single website.

10. Great recruiting tool

If you are posting a new job opportunity within your company or scouting for talent your website is the place to do it. This can also reduce recruitment costs for your organisation.

The way in which we search for things...

More and more people are using social media every day in order to find out information about products and services.  The way in which we search for things (products/services/information) on the internet is changing yet again.

Most of us use a search engine ie, Google, Bing or Yahoo to carry out this function and many of you will also have noticed that these search engines offer you suggestions on your search. The latest offerings are going more social. As a business this is a prime opportunity for you to sell the quality of your brand, product or services.

The trend for searching online for a service or company is increasing, and people are buying products from recommendations from their peers, friends and associates rather than clicking on an unknown link with a flashy advert.

Who would you buy from?  A company you had never heard of appearing at the top of Google? Or a company that had excellent reviews or likes from your trusted friends or associates?

For example, how many times have you clicked on a link that you have received from a friend? You click because you believe that you can trust the source.  If my friend clicked it, then it must be safe and useful, and if it is a product or service that you find of interest or of use, then you will have no qualms about sharing the same link amongst your own friends.

With all of this in mind, the search engines have evolved in how search results will appear…
Google have introduced +1 and Bing has announced that they are introducing a new process termed the ‘friend effect’.

Google +1

The +1 button is Google's answer to Facebook's ‘Like’ button. It is a button that you can add to your website. The +1 will influence search rankings, you will start to notice this symbol on more and more websites (provided you are logged in to Google). With a single click you can recommend a product, service or website to friends, contacts and the rest of the world.

The aim of the +1 is to get you the most relevant of results as quickly as possible.

Bing’s ‘friend effect’

This process is similar in their mission of aiming to help you make a faster and more informed decision.

Research states that 90% of people seek advice from family and friends as part of a decision making process as people feel smarter, confident and safer within the wisdom of their social circle.

Google Adwords Vs Facebook Advertising

What has happened? Why do people prefer Facebook advertising opposed to Google Adwords? And can Google Adwords challenge Facebook’s proposition?

Let’s investigate...

Both Facebook Advertising and Google Adwords target individuals in different ways.

Both Google Adwords and Facebook advertising use geo-targeting this allows individuals to see advertisements that are relevant to their geographical location. However Facebook utilises user-profiling which relies on individuals entering their location within their Facebook profile. Conversely Google Adwords uses the IP address of the individual’s computer to determine their geographical location. It is here that Google loses its effectiveness. People choose to have their IP address changed or moved, which that an individual’s location is not accurate if based purely in IP addresses. In this instance Facebook’s method is more enhanced.

Durability of Ads

Facebook users can enforce the promotion of ads they like, a feature which is not available on Google Adwords. The ‘friend effect’ is becoming more prominent within the internet, this is symbolic within Facebook where its users are in a better position to influence their friends and ask them to spread the word.

Facebook ads have a greater chance of being popular amongst people of the same group as it targets according to gender, preferences, location, language and education. Conversely Google Adwords has a much more lengthy targeting process which requires the user to have knowledge of keywords and how to create them. Furthermore, Google Adwords appear as sponsored links and are less visible which lacks the human aspect of marketing as the interactivity aspect which Facebook embraces is not utilised.

Differing Strategies

Facebook has the advantage of being more specific about many different aspects in comparison to Google Adwords. Yet if an advertisement is not performing within a limited time Facebook will attempt to knock your ad off its site!

Facebook pro’s suggest that the use of CPM (cost per metric)is beneficial as it ensures that your organisations brand is in front of the eyes of prospective customers long enough for them to start looking at it and gradually ‘liking’ and interacting with it. You may need to experiment with several ads to explore which ads gain the most interaction and ‘clicks’.

Final Verdict

Without being too technical it is evident that Google is a bit more demanding on your organisations keywords skills and requires knowledge of the process as well as it being more costly in comparison to Facebook. However Facebook does use ‘out of the box’ targets which translate into clicks and in turn brand recognition. Yet Google Adwords is a useful tool to people higher up the buying ladder – by that we mean people who know what they are looking for rather than coming across those which are ‘suggested’ by Facebook regardless of what the individual is looking for. This basically means that Google Adwords have a greater offering in terms of ads which are in context to what people are already buying.

In our opinion Facebook wins the battle! This leaves Google with lots of work to do if they want to overturn Facebooks triumph.

Take a look at this video and let us know what you think!