Can I Use My Home Address for My Google My Business?

Short Answer: Yes, you can use your home address for your Google My Business listing as it is treated as a service area business, meaning your full address won’t be visible to the public. However, it’s recommended not to use your full home address on your website to avoid visitors coming to your home expecting a physical store. Instead, display only the city, state, and zip code on your site.

Full Explanation

When you register your business with Google My Business, you can use your home address if you operate a service area business. This type of business typically serves customers at their location rather than having a storefront. Google understands this and does not display your complete address publicly, which helps maintain your privacy.

However, your website is viewed differently by your visitors. If you show your full home address there, people might assume you have a physical location where they can visit. This could lead to unexpected or unwanted visitors showing up at your residence, expecting to find your business onsite. To prevent this, the best practice is to only display general location information on your website, such as the city, state, and zip code, without revealing your exact address.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Use your home address when setting up Google My Business: This is acceptable since Google treats it as a service area business.
2. Check your business type on Google: Confirm it’s listed as a service area business to ensure your full address remains hidden from customers.
3. On your website, avoid using your full home address: Rather than your exact location, use only broad location details like city, state, and zip code.
4. Maintain privacy and professionalism: This approach discourages unwanted visits while still letting clients know where your business operates.

Real Examples

If you are a home-based cleaning service, your Google My Business profile can list your home address, but customers searching will not see the full address, only your service area. Meanwhile, on your website, you might simply say, “Serving customers in Springfield, IL 62704,” without providing your street location.

Common Mistakes

• Displaying your full home address on your website: This can lead to confusion and unanticipated visits from customers.
• Not setting your business as a service area business: This could expose your home address publicly on Google My Business listings.
• Using inconsistent location information between GMB and your website: This may harm trust and create confusion for potential customers.

FAQs

Can customers see my full home address on Google My Business?

No, if you designate your business as a service area business, your full home address is not displayed to the public.

Should I ever put my home address on my website?

No, it’s best to only mention the city, state, and zip code to avoid unwanted visits to your home.

What if I want customers to visit in person?

If you want customers to visit, you should consider using a separate commercial address rather than your home address.

Key Takeaways

• Using a home address for Google My Business is allowed when your business is a service area business.
• Google keeps your full home address hidden from customers in such cases.
• Do not publish your full home address on your website—only the city, state, and zip code should be shared.
• This approach keeps your privacy intact while providing customers with necessary location information.