When we tell you that as a business, not being on Google+ could turn out to be a big mistake, you’re probably thinking something like this:

“I’m having enough trouble keeping up with Facebook and Twitter!  I do not need another social network. Go sell crazy somewhere else, GLAD WORKS!”

And a little while ago, we would have told you to focus your efforts on Facebook and/or Twitter if that’s what’s been working for you. But things are different now.

Facebook has become difficult for brands to use, forcing them to pay to reach their own audience. But we’re not going to sit around crying and being poo poo babies about it are we GLAD WORKS friends?  No, we’re not. Because when it comes down to it, Facebook is really just a tool. If this one no longer works for you, there are other tools out there for you to use. Like Google+ for instance!

Here’s why it’s your friend: 

Second largest social network

Google+ is now the second largest social network, ranking second only to Facebook. It has about 90 million users. To put that in context, Twitter has about 100 million. Not too shabby, right? Rumors that Google+ is lame city are just that. Rumors.

Topical, not typical

Google+ is not a typical social network, it’s a topical one. It’s organized around content rather than who your acquaintances are. This makes perfect sense since Google’s entire reason for being is to organize information. So, naturally Google+ is going to be centered on that. This makes it a very hospitable place for anyone with content to share.

Google + IS Google

Recently, Google+ has been integrated with Google Docs, Chrome, Google Reader, Gmail and YouTube. The header featuring Search, News, Maps, Gmail etc., now incorporates Google+. It’s like all the other Google products are ingredients making up the Google + sandwich. This means that Google+ isn’t a stand-alone social network like Facebook is. Google+ is Google.

Search results heaven

Google search results now lead more and more to Google, which means that if you’re using Google+, your stuff is going to come up first when people search Google. If you have no Google+ presence and your competition does, guess who’s going to pop up first in a search?  Not you!

These are only a few quick reasons for giving Google+ a whirl. We’re not saying that you need to abandon Facebook altogether because let’s face it, Facebook can be very fun!  So use it for what it’s good at—talking to people who might become clients and customers. Just don’t feel like your success in the social sphere is totally dependent on Facebook. Because it isn’t. Not at all.

We hope you leave us today realizing that it’s ok to change directions if things aren’t working for you. Just because you’ve had a presence on Facebook doesn’t mean you have to keep pouring precious energy into something that isn’t doing its job. Direct more attention to building what holds promise for success. Whatever platform that stands on is up to you, but we encourage you to give Google+ a try.

After all, it’s up to you as a business owner to be flexible and willing to adapt as trends shift.  You’ve gotta stay on your toes!