Google recently announced the launch of its “+1” button, a new social tool that will have major implications on how your company’s website will be ranked on Google. The feature is similar to Facebook’s “like” button. Google’s button will allow users to recommend sites and share those recommendations with their Google contacts through a single click of a button.
How is +1 different from Facebook’s Like button?
Facebook’s Like is all about sharing your preferences, your Likes, with your entire network. Google characterizes the functionality of +1 as a tool to improve your online search experience. When you click +1, those “recommendations” are only shared with you in the context of providing more relevant search content.
The +1 button influences the rankings of websites and Google’s Ads within natural and paid search results listings. As a user, you will also have the ability to select to have recommended sites more visible in your search results.
Google will allow developers to add the +1 button onto websites. Facebook’s Like has a big head start – more than 2 million sites have it installed. According to Mashable, however, “Google plans to offer publishers a +1 button that lets readers +1 something without leaving the publisher’s site. Google’s button will instantly have a lot of appeal, given the company says +1 data will directly influence its market share-dominating search rankings.” read more
Do you really need more leads? Or just better ones?
Some companies follow a “volume” model when it comes to marketing: Reach as many people as you can, and if you convert just a small percentage of those leads, you’ll reach your goal. I call this the “credit card marketing strategy.” Credit card providers send out millions of mailers (both postal and email) to try to drum up business. And it seems to work for them.
On the other end of the spectrum are companies that have highly targeted audiences. They aren’t looking for millions of leads. Or even thousands. They are looking for a handful of highly targeted, qualified leads they can convert into sales.
The question is which model is right for your business? There are a number of ways to determine where your organization’s marketing efforts should fall on this broad spectrum. read more