Google+ debuts new dashboard for businesses

Businesses get more control over their Google tools, including AdWords, Google+ and Maps

Life just got a little bit easier for businesses that frequently use Google tools, like AdWords, Google+ and Maps, to help manage their day to day operations.

Google+ has debuted a new Dashboard, one that will give these businesses more control over how they user their Google tools, it was announced in a Google+ post Monday. 

"Today millions of businesses use Google+ to connect with their customers in meaningful ways. Many of these businesses also use AdWords to promote their products; Maps to update store info; and YouTube to publish high-quality video content (to name a few)," Google's Pavni Diwanji wrote.

"We want to make it easier to manage your online presence - all across Google - so today we're getting started with Google+ Dashboard."

With this new dashboard, business can update their information, such as website URLs, store hours and phone numbers, across Maps, Search and Google+, right from the Overview tab.

It will also let them monitor their Google+ notifications, assign page managers, share photos and videos. They will also be able to start Hangouts directly from the dashboard. 

And for local businesses, Diwanji said, there are even more benefits, including "at-a-glance access to their AdWords Express and Offers campaigns," and search insights, such as top searches for their business, top locations requesting driving directions, and performance data for their Google+ posts.

All the owner of the page has to do is sign in to Google+ as their page, and then click the "Dashboard" icon in the navigation menu.

"We've got lots more useful tools to add from all across Google, so stay tuned for more updates!" Diwanji wrote.

Google for businesses

This is just a continuation of Google's has attempts to make life easier for businesses on the service. It is obviously hoping that, by having more businesses on using Google tools, it will help drive ad sales.

Just last week, Google debuted new image extensions for search ads, which allow businesses to put pictures into ads that appear alongside search results.

In December Google said it was enhancing its businesses services when it announced that it would no longer be offering a free version of its Google Apps For Businesses, instead offering only the paid version, of $50 per user, per year.

The reason for dropping the free version, Google said, is that offering the free model to business slowed things down for both individuals and businesses.

“When we launched the premium business version we kept our free, basic version as well. Both businesses and individuals signed up for this version, but time has shown that in practice, the experience isn't quite right for either group. Businesses quickly outgrow the basic version and want things like 24/7 customer support and larger inboxes. Similarly, consumers often have to wait to get new features while we make them business-ready,” Clay Bavor, Director of Product Management, Google Apps, wrote at the time.

(Image source: https://plus.google.com)