Is There Any Benefit to Verifying a Business as a Service Area on Google?

Short Answer: Instead of verifying your business as just a service area, it is more beneficial to open up a physical office space and verify that location as your business. Having a physical presence carries much more SEO weight than simply being a service area business.

Full Explanation

When it comes to Google’s business verification, verifying a business as a service area business means you don’t have a physical office that customers can visit. While this might seem convenient, it does not carry as much importance for SEO purposes. Google tends to give more credibility and ranking advantage to businesses that have a physical location listed. By opening up an office space and verifying your business with that physical address, you’re positioning yourself as a tangible presence rather than simply a service area without a storefront or office listed.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Consider your business setup: If you currently list your business only as a service area without a physical location, recognize the limitations this poses on SEO.
Open a physical office space: Establish an actual address where your business operates.
Verify the physical location on Google: Use Google’s verification process to confirm your business address, making it an official part of your Google My Business profile.
Benefit from the increased SEO weight: Google tends to favor businesses with physical locations in search results, which can increase your local visibility and credibility.

Real Examples

While explicit examples are not provided, the concept emphasizes that businesses with a verified office address have a stronger SEO presence compared to those only registered as service area businesses. The difference is straightforward: tangible locations mean more trust from Google and potential customers.

Common Mistakes

Relying solely on service area verification without establishing a physical presence.
Ignoring the SEO advantages of having a physical office space listed.
Assuming that service area status alone is equally effective for local SEO.

FAQs

Q: Can I use a home address as my physical location?
Not directly addressed, but the focus is on having a physical office space instead of just a service area.

Q: Does service area verification help at all?
Being verified as a service area business is an option, but it does not carry as much SEO weight as verifying a physical office.

Key Takeaways

Opening and verifying a physical office location has greater SEO value than just verifying as a service area business.
Physical locations add tangible credibility to your Google business profile.
For better local SEO results, prioritize creating a physical presence over relying solely on service area verification.