[IMGCAP(2)]Growing your business is the name of the game, but getting the word out about your accounting practice is always a struggle. One strategy is to proactively seek recognition for your expertise within your own circle, using social networking. This concept is not new, but Google now provides tools that increase your ability to reach potential clients.
Google Authorship is helping small- to mid-size business owners improve SEO, develop a personal brand tied to their business, improve click-throughs, and increase lead generation from the Internet.
What is Google Authorship?
It is directly tied to your
A Google+ account is based on your
Firms that have taken the steps to tie their Google Authorship (via their Google+ profile) to their website get higher click-through rates and increase exposure to more of their content.
For example, the Google search engine results page for the phrase, “Colorado CPA for QuickBooks” brings up Luke Gheen’s listing below.
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You’ll notice that Luke’s entry shows up first in the non-paid search engine rank. His photo appears with the entry, making the content personal and ensuring he is recognized and credited for his work. The head shot draws the eye and attracts clicks, providing even greater exposure to more of his content
The value of a face
You may ask: Why not put my logo in? My answer: People trust people—especially in the accounting industry. Accountants are trusted advisors, not a faceless logo.
As an accountant, the value you provide comes from your knowledge and experience, as well as the services you offer. People want to know and trust their accountant. Your picture, tied to your content on the web, begins to facilitate that trust.
Google Authorship provides "person-to-person" communications via Google+. Search engine results frequently arise with a company rather than an individual. Using Google+ to tie your content to your identity – or your personal brand – puts a name and a face on your firm.
Benefits of Google Authorship
1. Search engine prominence: Google Authorship is particularly powerful when people are doing non-branded searching. For example, a prospective client needs help with their QuickBooks accounting and searches for a local CPA. Google Authorship helps your entry stand out from the rest. Notice the image and the listing above in Figure 1. This makes it easy for potential clients to get a sense of the firm and the accountant before they even arrive at your website. Essentially, you are increasing the power of the search engine results.
2. Higher click-through rates: Google Authorship isn't designed to increase your search engine ranking; it's designed to increase traffic to your website by increasing click-through rates and making them stand out from other search engine results. Again, having your face tied to the search engine results really creates a sense of trust with the viewer, making them want to read your content.
3. Brand credibility. Demian Farnworth, in his Copyblogger post on Google Authorship, claims that “the recognition that you have a Google+ account and a headshot beside your search listing is going to separate you from the faceless content creators.” By taking advantage of the Google Authorship and your profile, you are tying your personal brand to your firm. Again, it goes back to the face behind the company.
Setting it up
Google provides
1. Join Google+.
2. Set up your profile. Make sure you have a profile photo with a recognizable headshot.
3. Make sure a byline, containing your name, appears on each page of your content (for example, "By Hugh Duffy").
4. Make sure your byline name matches the name on your Google+ profile.
5. Verify you have an email address on the same domain as your content. This is fairly simple if you are publishing on your own site. If you are publishing on a third-party site, go to the Google link above for more information.
Content is key
Google Authorship can only do only so much. Your search engine results and click-throughs don’t guarantee credibility. You must have good content that reflects what your audience needs.
With authorship, Google can judge who that content is coming from when deciding how valuable it is.
Running an accounting business is an effort unto itself and marketing your practice for growth adds another level of complexity. Google Authorship, Google+, LinkedIn, blogging and SEO…you may feel like calling it a day and relying entirely on personal referrals.
Yet, referrals are possible through social media and the Internet. The beauty of these efforts, especially Google Authorship, is credibility. Tying your profile to your website makes a difference in search engine ranking, click-throughs and growing your reputation as an expert in the field.
Learn more about Google+, Google profiles and Google Authorship through these articles:
Hugh Duffy is co-founder and chief marketing officer of
