Should I hide my address on my website if I use it for my Google My Business?

Short Answer: You need to hide your address on your Google My Business listing, but you can use the address on your website if it is okay for you.

Full Explanation

When managing your business presence online, there is a clear distinction between how you should display your address on Google My Business and on your own website. Google My Business requires that you keep your business address hidden or private in certain situations, for example, if you operate a service-area business or wish to protect your privacy. However, your website does not have the same restrictions, and you may choose to display your address if you are comfortable doing so.

Essentially, hiding your address on Google My Business helps control how your business location is shown publicly on Google Search and Maps, while on your website, displaying the address is a choice based on your comfort with sharing this information with visitors.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Assess your needs for Google My Business: Understand why Google may require address hiding. This often relates to privacy or service-area business models.
Decide if you want to share your address on your website: Unlike Google My Business, your website is your own property. You can choose to post your address if you want customers to see it.
Implement your choices accordingly: Hide your address on Google My Business when required, and display it on your website if that suits your preferences.

Real Examples

While specific examples were not provided, the general guideline remains clear: hiding your address on Google My Business can be necessary, but it’s perfectly acceptable to display it on your site if that aligns with your business needs and comfort level.

Common Mistakes

Assuming that if your address is hidden on Google My Business, it must be hidden on your website as well.
Not considering the privacy or operational reasons behind hiding the address on Google My Business.
Not providing an address on the website when it can help customers find or trust your business.

FAQs

Q: Can I show my business address on my website if it’s hidden on Google My Business?
Yes, you can display your address on your website if you are comfortable with it, even if your address is hidden on your Google My Business listing.

Q: Why do I need to hide my address on Google My Business?
There are specific situations, such as service-area businesses or privacy concerns, where Google requires your address to be hidden on Google My Business.

Key Takeaways

Hiding your address on Google My Business is sometimes necessary for privacy or compliance reasons.
Your website can display your address if it suits your business strategy and comfort level.
Understanding the different platforms’ requirements helps optimize your online presence effectively.