Social Media Skyrocketing
Google+ reaches 50 million; Facebook responds with design overhaul
Google announced last month that their search engine megaproduct, Google+, eclipsed 50 million users, having taken just 88 days to do so. In comparison, it took Facebook 1,325 days to reach the same mark. The fast growth of Google+ is sounding some alarms at Facebook headquarters. But Facebook enjoys a massive lead over Google+ with 150 million user in the U.S. and an estimated 11 million business profile pages already setup.
Facebook responded to Google’s push into social media by overhauling their interface, and giving users a fresh new way to browse through friends and businesses. Not to be undone, Google+ is expected to include company profile pages very soon (similar to what Facebook already offers, and a must-have for your business before 2012). Once launched, this move should bring a flood of new activity to Google+ and put more heat on Facebook. Twitter has not fallen behind either, a recent study showed 26 million U.S. adults use it daily, up 38% from 16 million just ten months ago.
Why you should care about this news:
Bottom line: Social media is not a fad, it’s an opportunity to improve your word-of-mouth marketing, build trust and loyalty, and turn more referrals into sales. Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ are all spiking upward with no sign of slowing down. We believe small business social media will erupt in 2012 — we want you to be on board now. There is no better way to engage your customers and put a personal face on your business. If you want to learn more about how to make social media an effective tool for you, email us. At Market Hardware we love talking with our clients about all the benefits of social media.
(Topic provided by Matt Horn)
Web Expert of the Month:
October’s Web Expert of the Month is Matt Horn. Matt is the true definition of “utility player.” As a baseball fan, Matt appreciates being compared to Rickey Henderson’ center field, left field, leadoff hitter, designated hitter’ just like Rickey, Matt can do it all. Clients know Matt best for his dedication to our Google Maps Optimization
team. Over the past 3 months, Matt’s optimization work has increased our clients’ “Page One” success rate to a record high. Behind the scenes, Matt is a go-getter helping our Sales, Client Services, and Accounts Receivable teams. Matt grew up in Rockville, Maryland and graduated from Elon University in North Carolina. Before joining us full time this January, he was a summer intern in 2009 and 2010. There is a good chance Matt will answer the phone next time you call our office. If he does, ask him about his loyalty to the Baltimore Orioles ‘ but if you are a Yankees or a Red Sox fan, please don’t rub it in.
Social Media Factoids:
- 80% of active internet users visit social networks.
- 25% of total time spent on the Internet is on social media sites and blogs.
- 69% of consumers say they’re more likely to use a local business if they can find them on a social media site.
(sources: Nielsen and ComScore)
Already use social media for your business? Follow us, we’ll follow you back! 
What is Market Hardware’s Web Digest?
At Market Hardware our mission is to help you be an educated and successful web marketer. That’s why we created the monthly Web Digest – quick, easy-to-scan news from the world of Internet Marketing. The Web Digest is written by an “Expert of the Month” staff member who has excelled at helping our clients 
win on the Web. The Web Digest complements our traditional monthly newsletter and is another example of how we’ve “got your back” when it comes to web marketing.
Cheers to your web success,
Jim Short, SVP & Co-founder
Market Hardware, LLC
