Since the release of Google+ Pages people have had heated debates and rants about, “Does your company need to setup a Google+ Page?” or “Why did Google release something unfinished?”

Regardless of their opinions, Google+ Pages have arrived and are not going away anytime soon.

To answer the first debate, “Does your company need to setup a Google+ Page?” The answer is a definitive, YES! As a digital strategist I have recommend all my clients setup their G+ Pages, even if they aren’t going to utilize them immediately, to prevent squatters from laying claim on their brands. If you have content you want to share, then share it, but have your G+ Page established.

Now for the next question…

“Why did Google release something unfinished?”

It really should come as no surprise that Google release something new and is making changes based on user-centered analysis and iterative design. Sure Google+ Pages are lacking functionality that Facebook pages have, but those features will hopefully be implemented soon. More on that later…

How long did we look at this BETA icon in our Gmail before the beta dropped? How many turned the “beta” back before the design change dropped it from Google Labs?

Had Google+ and Google+ Pages been released as betas, would people be complaining as much? Maybe someone should have thought that one through Google+ team?

What’s missing right now? Continue reading →