What Type of Business Should I Select When Setting Up My Google My Business Profile?

Short Answer: When setting up your Google My Business profile, you should choose both ‘Local Store’ and ‘Service Business’ as your business types because Google gives preference to businesses that have a physical location rather than those that operate solely as mobile service businesses.

Full Explanation

Choosing the right business type on your Google My Business profile is essential for optimizing your online presence. Google tends to prioritize businesses that maintain a physical storefront or address over those that operate entirely through mobile or remote services.

Selecting both ‘Local Store’ and ‘Service Business’ allows you to communicate that your business not only offers services but also has a tangible location customers can visit or contact. This dual classification increases your visibility in search results and can improve customer trust by confirming you have an established place of business.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Identify your business model: Understand whether you provide services only or if you also have a physical location customers can visit.
Select business types: When prompted by Google My Business, choose both ‘Local Store’ and ‘Service Business’ if applicable.
Verify your physical location: Ensure that your address is accurate and verified to help Google recognize your store presence.
Complete your profile: Fill out additional details to reinforce your business’s legitimacy and offerings.

Real Examples

Although specific business examples are not provided here, the concept applies broadly to any company that has a physical storefront combined with service offerings. For example, a store that sells products and also provides onsite consultation would benefit from listing both types.

Common Mistakes

Only selecting ‘Service Business’ when your business actually has a physical location, which can limit your profile’s visibility.
Failing to properly indicate that your business has a storefront, which might cause Google to categorize your business as mobile-only.
Neglecting to verify your address, leading to incomplete or less optimized Google My Business profiles.

FAQs

Why is it important to select a physical location type?: Because Google prioritizes businesses with physical locations in search results, improving local SEO and customer trust.
Can I select more than one business type on Google My Business?: Yes, selecting both ‘Local Store’ and ‘Service Business’ is recommended if your business meets both criteria.
What happens if I only select ‘Service Business’?: Your business might be treated as a mobile or non-physical business, potentially limiting your local search visibility.

Key Takeaways

Select both ‘Local Store’ and ‘Service Business’ when setting up your Google My Business profile if your business has a physical location and offers services.
Google favors businesses with a physical presence, so including this information can enhance your profile’s search ranking.
Properly categorizing your business helps attract local customers and instills confidence in your business credibility.