Google+ Launches Business Pages

Google+ just announced the launch of its business pages. Is this yet another reason why Facebook needs watch it’s back?

In any case, businesses now have a new channel for additional exposure on the web leveraging a major brand’s name and resources. And when done right, both social media sites can be used as a powerful marketing tool to build credibility, authority, and relationships with their prospects, customers and clients.

Here’s the official announcement:

Google+ Pages: connect with all the things you care about

For businesses and brands, Google+ pages help you connect with the customers and fans who love you. Not only can they recommend you with a +1, or add you to a circle to listen long-term. They can actually spend time with your team, face-to-face-to-face. All you need to do is start sharing, and you’ll soon find the super fans and loyal customers that want to say hello.
(Via: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/google-pages-connect-with-all-things.html)

Here’s what the web is saying about Google+ Pages:

Google Launches Google+ Pages for Businesses
Google’s social network is now ready for business. Google+ has grown at a decent pace to more than 40 million members, but Google was slow to open it up for businesses and brands. But, Google recently made Google+ available for Google Apps subscribers, and today it has finally rolled out Google+ Pages for businesses and brands.
(Via: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/243312/google_launches_google_pages_for_businesses.html)

Google +1 Business Pages – the wait is over…
Google announced that pages would be made publicly soon.. but we wanted to let you know that you can now get yours today (or at least we did at the time of this post)
(Via: http://www.uniquearticlewizard.com/blog/google/google-1-business-pages-wait-over.html)

Why Google Plus Pages (Will) Beat Facebook. And Twitter
This is where Google will have an advantage over Facebook: With a broad array of services like search and Gmail and Chrome and Android, Google offers tools that are fundamental to the online lives of so many people — and these can be tied to Google+. As Google+ evolves, Google will have the means to promote its social network — and the branded Pages within it — in ways that Facebook or Twitter cannot.
(Via: http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2011/11/google-plus-pages/)

With this new addition does Google+ pose a threat to Facebook? Whatever the answer plays out to be, Google is keeping Facebook on it’s toes, and for now, off it’s back for competing in the search space.

Do you have a Facebook Page, and will you be using a Google+ Page? Why, why not?