Do you recommend setting up a Google My Business for a certain area, even though we don’t have a physical location there?

Short Answer: It is recommended to invest in securing an actual office space in the target area to establish a physical Google Business profile location. Without a physical presence, your current Google Business profile will only effectively rank within about a five to seven mile radius in dense areas, limiting your ability to benefit from local SEO in locations farther away.

Full Explanation

Your existing Google My Business profile relies heavily on having a physical location to rank well in local search results. In densely populated areas such as Chicago, your profile typically appears within a limited range, generally five to seven miles. This proximity is crucial for local SEO because Google’s algorithm favors businesses close to where users are searching.

If you want to tap into a new market or area that is 20 miles or more away from your current location, simply creating a Google My Business profile for that region without a genuine physical office will not deliver the desired SEO impact. Google prioritizes authentic, verifiable business locations for displaying local search results, so a physical presence is essential for ranking beyond your immediate neighborhood.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Assess your target area: Identify the location where you want your business to rank in local searches.
Understand current limitations: Realize that your current Google Business profile will only rank within a relatively small radius, typically five to seven miles in dense urban areas.
Secure a physical space: Invest in renting or buying an office in the new area to create a legitimate physical presence.
Create a Google My Business profile: Set up your profile with the new location address to start building local SEO authority there.
Leverage local SEO: Use your physical presence to attract customers and rank higher in the search results within that area.

Real Examples

Imagine your current Google My Business profile is based in Chicago. The profile can optimize search visibility only within a five to seven mile radius around your office. If you decide to target a neighboring suburb 20 miles away, a new profile without a physical office will struggle or fail to rank locally there. The best approach is to acquire an office in that suburb, enabling your Google My Business profile to genuinely represent a local option and appear effectively in searches.

Common Mistakes

Setting up multiple Google My Business profiles without physical locations: This often leads to poor rankings or penalties from Google because the listings lack legitimacy.
Assuming distance does not affect ranking: Without a physical office, Google limits your ability to show up in local searches beyond a short radius.
Neglecting to invest in location-based presence: Expecting national-level or distant local visibility without actual local footprints is ineffective.

FAQs

Can I create a Google My Business profile for an area where I have no office?: While you can create a profile, without a physical office Google will not rank it effectively for local searches far from your main location.
Why does physical location matter for Google My Business?: Google prioritizes businesses with real, verifiable local locations because they serve customers in those exact areas.
Is there a distance limit for Google Business profile ranking?: Yes, typically your profile ranks within about five to seven miles in dense urban markets.

Key Takeaways

Having a physical office space in the target area is essential to fully leverage local SEO with Google My Business.
Your current Google Business profile is limited in reach, effectively covering only a small radius around your physical location.
For areas 20 miles or more away, securing a local office presence is the best way to establish a legitimate Google Business profile and improve ranking.