Why Google plus is better for business than Facebook...

Selfridge's have partnered with big brands to launch a six week campaign, 'The #BeautyProject' to explore the modern definition of beauty.  

  

The launch of new products, live music and beauty treats are all part of the campaign and are showcased through their Google plus network, for those unable to attend the in store event.

But what really caught my attention was why Selfridge’s choose Google plus as opposed to Facebook? 

Facebook has been the core channel for retailers and has been voted the 1^st largest social network, generating millions of like pages from small, medium and large businesses across the world, including high end retailers, that it is surprising Selfridge’s chose Google plus for their latest #BeautyProject.

Here are 4 reasons how Selfridges’s campaign proved Google plus is better than Facebook…

1.    Digital Media 

Selfridge’s #BeautyProject is a 6 week program that features talks, interactive debates and beauty experiences. The debates are hosted by a video blogger and aired via Google + hangouts.

Unlike standalone platform Facebook, Google plus has been developed to be visual and integrates all Google services together such as Gmail, Hangouts on air and YouTube. 

 A hangout in your Google + page can be with an unlimited amount of users, in real time and has the ability to be automatically uploaded and saved to your You Tube channel. 

Whereas, Facebook video calling can only be one-on-one and is not compatible with mobile devices, nor cannot it be instantly updated to your YouTube channel.

2.    Website Conversion

 

As part of the campaign, Selfridge's have a psychical photo booth in store where consumers can have their photos taken. The photos are then featured on the Selfridge's website.

This clever tactic enables in store consumers to interact with the project whilst directing them to  the website. 

When consumers visit the web page, they can also click through to the Google plus page. 

The incentive for users to visit the Google plus page is the competition whereby the most liked photo will win a £500.00 beauty experience.

The difference in posting this competition on Google plus, rather than Facebook is that a wider audience can see content Selfridge's post.

3.    New audience

On Facebook we accept requests from people we know, or we attract likes on our business page from people who have experienced our product or service, yet on Google plus anyone can add you to one of their circles, without you having to approve or adding them back. 

   

Facebook is a mutual agreement and you agree to be friends with someone from accepting their request. 

Whereas Google plus is a more tech savvy platform and opens the door to engaging with individuals outside your social circle. This explains why Selfridge's launched the event on Google plus.

 For example, if you have 200 friends on Facebook and post an event, it is likely only 20 friends would see. 

Google plus helps build your business, whereas Facebook networks with your existing client base.

4.    Social Annotations 

      The content that Selfridge's are posting have far more of a reach than Facebook, as they are instantly included in Google Search results.  

      Google plus is more than a social network, it is more like an identity and a channel to increase SEO.

      There are also more serious business capabilities on Google plus. The Google + page endorsement being one. The G+ button makes it easier for online users to share your content.

In comparison, the Like button on Facebook would only be shared to the network of friends and accrued to Bing Search results, whereas G+ works as a different social connotation allowing people who are not your friends to also see this content.

      The interface of Google plus is far more clean and uncluttered than Facebook, especially as there is no paid advertising or promoted posts, only Adwords which are featured in the search results of what you are looking for.
   
      
Why Google plus is better?

•        Better for digital media and integrated with Youtube.
•        Easier Web conversion from G+ button and SEO.
•        Anyone can see Google plus content.
•        G+ makes it easier for users to share your content.
•        Cleaner platform with no advertising or promoted posts, only content you have chosen to follow.