Do the design changes to Google+ really mean that it can now start to compete with Facebook and Twitter?

Last week saw Google+ launch its new redesign, with the aim of creating a ‘simpler, more beautiful Google’, with what we think has many similarities to Facebook Timeline.

Mashable presented some of the reactions to the redesign, which appeared to have been largely positive.

Forbes called it “simply more gorgeous than Facebook.” Wired noted that “Overall, the new Google+ look is cleaner and seems to make better use of the real estate.”

So with all the major players now vying to be the number one social media platform, what does this mean in reality for the people and businesses that use the platforms? Is this simply an annoyance, or are all enhancements making it simpler and easier for us to use as they all start to merge into one style? And if they all start to become increasingly similar, what are the benefits of having a presence on all of them?

Firstly, we think that the new Google+ interface is a great improvement. As with most things in this space, people will slate them and provide negative feedback, but in terms of the old vs. new design, we are all up for the new design! Using the platform in regards to uploading content, connecting and keeping abreast of the latest issues, the Google+ redesign has certainly made this easier. We like the simplicity of the design, the larger images and the simpler navigation allows for a much quicker and stress-free way to upload content to the site.

With the sites ever competing and becoming more aligned with their designs, we believe it helps business and individuals in terms of usability. It makes it easier to remember where links are and how you navigate around the site, something that definitely can help save time and resource, especially in business.

However, it will be interesting to see whether the redesign will encourage an increased up-take of Google+! It boasted 170million users worldwide at the launch of the redesign, but independent data suggests that many users don’t interact with the service much after they register, and really we’re not sure that a prettier interface is necessarily going to convert them.

Can Google transfer these inactive members to really give the service a chance? It would seem they have a long way to go in trying to compete with Facebook’s 850 million and Twitter’s 500 million plus users in our opinion!

How have you found the new design? Are you an avid user of Google+? Or do you feel more inclined to use it now it has a greater similarity to Facebook? Let us know your thoughts.