Social Search and Businesses
Google’s social search is beginning to make its appearance on search result pages. Social media sites including Twitter and blogging sites can now be used as a search result depending on how well connected the person who is searching is connected to those sites. For example, if a person searches for something, the usual websites will still show up, but suppose that person’s friend writes a blog about whatever the person searched for. That blog page will be included in the social search results.
For businesses, this could prove to be very useful in order to get their site’s visibility increased. There are some tips that a business should follow when trying to capitalize on social search:
1. Make sure to have as many connections as possible.
Having a lot of connections makes sure that a business’s site will be seen by more people in the social search results.
2. Make it easy for customers to follow through the social networks.
This means having links on a site that will either automatically make them follow the business or go directly to the business’s social media page.
3. Post content on those social media sites for interaction with potential and current customers.
Letting a Facebook page sit there won’t do anything but hurt the business. Businesses should answer any questions that come up and post relevant content to keep the people engaged.
4. All social network info should be included on business cards, signs, and online advertising.
This is important to get future clients involved in the network. That way once they start to follow the business, need a service, and search for it, the business will be a search result, possibly ahead of competition.
Remember, traditional SEO is still important. Users might not understand how to see those social results and therefore would still rely on those organic results. These social search tips are still useful in pulling ahead of local competition.