What Are the Options for Setting Up a Google My Business Profile?

The primary options for setting up a Google My Business profile revolve around whether or not to display your business address. You can choose to show the address on your profile if you have a physical office. Alternatively, if you don’t have a physical office location, you can set up a service area Google My Business profile where your address is hidden.

Full Explanation

When creating a Google My Business profile, the key decision is whether your business location should be publicly visible. This is important because the visibility of your address can impact how customers find and interact with your business online. If your business operates from a physical office or storefront, displaying the address helps local customers recognize and visit your location.

On the other hand, some businesses do not operate from a fixed office or prefer not to show their address. For these businesses, Google My Business provides the option to create a service area profile. In this setup, your business address remains hidden while you can specify the geographical area that you serve, helping you reach local customers without displaying a physical location.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Step 1: Determine if you have a physical office location.
Step 2: If yes, set up your Google My Business profile with your business address displayed.
Step 3: If no physical office exists, choose to create a service area profile instead.
Step 4: Specify your service area so customers know the regions you cover.

Real Examples

A business with a retail shop would list their address openly on their Google My Business profile, allowing customers to find the store easily.

Alternatively, a service provider such as a plumber who travels to customers might hide the address and create a service area profile reflecting the cities or neighborhoods they serve.

Common Mistakes

Displaying an address when you don’t actually operate from a physical office can lead to confusion and reduced credibility.
Not specifying a service area for businesses without a physical location might limit your visibility to potential customers.
Failing to update your profile properly based on your business type can affect local search ranking and customer engagement.

FAQs

Can I change my Google My Business profile from showing an address to a service area?: Yes, you can update your profile settings to switch between showing your address and setting a service area based on your business needs.
Do I need a physical address to create a Google My Business profile?: No, if you don’t have a physical address, you can still create a service area profile without displaying an address.

Key Takeaways

Google My Business profiles can either display your business address or hide it.
If your business has a physical office, showing your address helps customers find you.
If you don’t have a physical office, use the service area profile option to define where you operate without revealing an address.