I have spent a good amount time over the last few weeks learning the ins and outs of Google+ and like many who are new to the site, I questioned the usability of the platform.

Do I treat Google+  like Facebook and share all the cat videos and “like if you…” posts? Or like Twitter and share little tidbits about my daily life? – this rain makes me very sleepy. If I don’t engage like I do on Facebook or Twitter, Google+ must be used like Instagram, so I will share all of my selfies saved on my phone and post pictures of my food every time I eat. Nope, all wrong. Google+ is not used in the same manner of any of the aforementioned platforms.

Google+ can be a powerful tool for promoting and sharing content when used correctly. Just like any other social media platform, you cannot simply create a profile on Google+, post content and see an immediate spike in followers and engagement. There are simple best practices that need to be followed in order to use Google+ at its full potential.

A best practice is a method or technique that has consistently shown positive results superior to results achieved through other means. While some people may have seen results from other best practices for Google+, the following are a few that are useful when first getting acquainted with Google+.

Set up your profile with a clear headshot, an enticing image for your cover photo and a custom Google + profile URL. Make sure to provide complete details about your company/business including name, location, telephone numbers, image and link to official website. And don’t forget to create a Google Places Account or a Google+ local page for your business so people can find your more easily when searching.

Link your website to your Google+ profile with the addition of a Google+ badge and Google+ sharing buttons. This provides people who are active on your site with a direct link to your Google+ profile.

Engage with others by joining communities, encouraging customers to write reviews, using hashtags appropriately and making use of circles. Start conversations by asking followers to participate in discussions and don’t forget to customize your posts.

If individuals within your company blog on your site, have them set up a Google Authorship so they can link published content from your site to their Google+ profile and generate “rich snippets” in Google search.

As I mentioned before, these are simply some of the best practices to follow when first starting out on Google+. While many of these will still pertain to daily use, there are additional best practices to follow on a daily basis.

Please feel free to share  additional best practices.