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Setting up a Google Business Profile (GBP) can be challenging for businesses without a storefront or those operating from home. Choosing the wrong address can hurt rankings, lead to suspensions, or reduce customer trust. This guide outlines specific strategies, best practices, and case studies to help you manage your GBP effectively. For specialized training on managing GBP, check out our GBP course.
Why Your GBP Address Matters
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) address is crucial for local search visibility and customer trust. Choosing the right address ensures your business appears in search results and complies with Google’s guidelines.
- Improves local search rankings, making your business easier to find.
- Builds credibility by displaying a real, verifiable location.
- Reduces the risk of suspensions by complying with Google’s address policies.
What If I Don’t Have a Physical Office?
Many businesses operate from home, work remotely, or travel to customers, making it difficult to choose the right GBP address. Here are three effective strategies to establish a credible and Google-compliant location.
Rent a Small Office
Renting a small office is one of the best ways to secure a verifiable and Google-approved address.
Our Client Salvatore Sciorta from Plumbing Pros LLC in Easton needed a physical address to boost his search rankings and credibility. He rented a small office for about $200/month, which provided a real, professional location that improved his Google visibility.
This approach works because Google prioritizes businesses with physical locations, and customers are more likely to trust a company with an office address. Additionally, it helps prevent GBP suspensions, which often occur when businesses use virtual or home addresses improperly.
If you’re serious about growing your business and ranking higher, renting an affordable office space can be a valuable investment.
Use a Virtual Office
Some businesses use virtual offices or coworking spaces as their GBP address. While this can work, it comes with risks because Google only allows these locations if you regularly conduct business there and meet customers at the address.
A virtual office is acceptable if you can:
- Receive mail and conduct business at the location.
- Provide proof of operations, such as a lease agreement or business signage.
However, a virtual office is not allowed if you:
- Use a PO Box, UPS store, or mailbox rental, Google bans these addresses.
- Set up a fake location just to rank in multiple cities, this can lead to suspension.
Pro Tip: If you choose a virtual office, be prepared to verify your location with Google to avoid potential issues.
Set Up a Service Area Business
If you operate from home and don’t want to display your address publicly, you can set up your GBP as a Service Area Business (SAB).
To do this:
- Log into your Google Business Profile Manager.
- Click “Business Information” → “Location.”
- Remove your address and add the cities or zip codes you serve instead.
A Service Area Business is ideal for:
- Plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and mobile mechanics.
- Cleaning services, consultants, and other businesses that don’t need a physical storefront.
Even if you choose an SAB setup, Google may still require address verification before allowing you to hide your address. You can use your home or office for verification, then remove it once approved.
Link Google Analytics
Link your Google Analytics to your business profile so you can look at insights to get an idea of things, such as what people are clicking on and what they do afterward. You can look at the customer’s behavioral flow and see if there are things that are causing them to stop. You also get the chance to look at the demographics and a little bit of geographics so that you can start measuring.
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most powerful tools for attracting customers and generating leads, but only if it’s set up correctly. Whether you need to rent an office , set up a Service Area Business, or avoid Google suspensions, making the right moves now can have a huge impact on your business growth.
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is a former search engine engineer who has spent a billion dollars on Google and Facebook ads for Nike, Quiznos, Ashley Furniture, Red Bull, State Farm, and other organizations that have many locations.
He has achieved 25% of his goal of creating a million digital marketing jobs because of his partnership with universities, professional organizations, and agencies. Companies like GoDaddy, Fiverr, onlinejobs.ph, 7 Figure Agency, and Vendasta partner with him to create training and certifications.
Dennis created the Dollar a Day Strategy for local service businesses to enhance their existing local reputation and make the phone ring. He's coaching young adult agency owners who serve plumbers, AC technicians, landscapers, roofers, electricians in conjunction with leaders in these industries.
Mr. Yu believes that there should be a standard in measuring local marketing efforts, much like doctors and plumbers need to be certified and licensed. His Content Factory training and dashboards are used by thousands of practitioners.