Google Friend Connect

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Many of you will notice the new look for Upstart Agent 2009, and to kick off the new year we’re dawning a new look from Elegant WP Themes.

With the new layout and design comes a few changes, and one I’d like to point out the most is Google Friend Connect, which you can see and please join at the bottom of the Upstart Agent Homepage.

When it comes to joining the latest social media networking bandwagons, I’m usually one of the last to follow and jump on. Google Friend Connect, officially launched in early December, is one I’ve decided to try out early on and see if it can help boost traffic to this site at all.

Here are some of the advantages of Google Friend Connect:

1. Not Another Profile to Fill Out: Just about everyone has a Google account, and even if you don’t, they also can use your already existing profiles from other popular social networking platforms. One less profile to fill out means its easy to join.

2. Build a Community: When you visit a site that’s installed Google Friend Connect, you have the option to “join” – no, its not like a health club membership – it just makes it easy to network with like-minded individuals.

3. Social Gadgets: While I’m not jumping at the opportunity to add their “Lame Game” widget, there are a few social gadgets available that can further increase networking potential, such as discussion widgets and more.

4. Reports: Being as I’m the only one who’s joined so far, my statistical Google Friend Connect reports don’t look too promising as of yet – but it will be interesting to track over time how many members join – or why maybe they’ve decided to leave. No other social media gadget that I know of can provide stats that help you further understand your web traffic and presence!

5. Send Invites: As an advocate of sending emails to people (yup, you really should in the year 2009 be capable of sending email!) I really like the fact that you can send invites to others, and Google even makes it idiot proof for you by writing the message for you. So before long I will hopefully have a few more members joining.

There’s a few features I’d like to see added – such as the ability to message members or provide insider updates, as well as an “Invite Link” so its not necessary for lazy busy blog readers to actually look for the widget.

Are you on Google Friend Connect yet? If you’ve got it on your site, I’ll join yours if you join mine Check it out on our homepage now

Also, other good news, Feedburner decided to start working again for Upstart Agent and you can now Sign Up For Email Updates to make sure you never miss a great real estate marketing idea again!