While the official Google blog has declared that Google+ as a social network is more or less dead and that Gmail users will no longer be forced to create a Google+ account, this does not mean that Google+ is not important for you as a local business.
While there may be fewer people following your local Google+ business page, the fact that you HAVE a Google+ Business Page will become more important. This is because, as mobile search grows, local businesses need to become more visible on local and mobile search and this is exactly what your business page will do for you.
Priya Florence Shah is a bestselling author, the Group Editor of SHEROES, and the award-winning publisher of Naaree.com.