Written by: Jeffrey Powers - @geekazine
on November 9, 2011.

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Over the week, Google Plus launched the business profiles. Basically, pages in Google+ that are geared toward your business. Some people love em, others feel that Google is missing the boat on this. We’ll look at the pros and cons, and set up a business page.

Google+ momentum has been growing since July when it launched a beta to the public. With Google plus heading to the 60 million person mark, the branded pages add another reason for you to start using the social network.

Branded Pages

How to set up a Google Plus Branded Page

1. Go to a branded page (ex: Pepsi or Coca-cola)
2. On the left hand side, choose “Create a Google+ Page”
3. Select the category you fall under – Local business, product, company, arts & entertainment or other
4. Depending on selection, enter information in the screen
1. The local business will ask you for some local verification
5. Select the visibility of your page – do you want a public, or private page?
6. Agree to the conditions and hit “Create”.
7. Just like with Google plus, you then go in and add photos, fill in the About information and start populating the wall.

How to switch between profiles

When you call up plus.google.com, on the left side under your name, you will see a drop-down with your pages. When you select the page, Google will display a pop-up “You are now using Google+ as this page. Your posts, comments, and notifications will be from this page.”

When you add content, it will show under your branded page. Of course, if you want to switch back, just choose your name in the drop-down box once again.

The Pros and Cons of Branded Pages

This is where people are starting to complain. The biggest issue is a branded page can only be assigned to one person. Unlike Facebook, where you can set up administrators to a page, Google plus cannot do that. This means if you have an employee set up a branded page, then leave your company, you cannot re-assign the page.

You might think “Well I’ll just set up a dummy account to get to the branded page…” Unfortunately, that is against Google + rules and your account could be removed.

Of course, there is also the issue of remembering to post to your branded page. I would guess there will soon be a Twitterfeed option for this, but for now, you physically have to go into the page and type in post information.

Should I Wait on Branded Pages?

If your business needs presence, then no. Get people to add you to your pages. I just started a contest on mine. Just like with any other social media site, getting more presence is a good thing. Promote, promote, promote.

Google will eventually fix the problems and items people see as hindrances to branded pages. Once that happens, you will be in a prime spot to really rock this area.

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