Plumbers, roofers, cleaners and mobile mechanics do not serve customers at their own address. Google calls these service-area businesses, and it has specific rules for them.
Storefront, service area or both
- Storefront: customers come to you. Show your address.
- Service area: you go to customers. Hide your address and list the areas you cover.
- Hybrid: customers visit and you also travel. Show the address and add service areas.
Hide a home address
If you run the business from home and customers do not visit, your address should be hidden. Showing it breaks the guidelines and is not something most owners want public anyway.
Choose service areas carefully
You can list cities, counties or postcodes. List the places you really serve within a reasonable drive. Adding a whole state does not make you rank across it.
What still affects your ranking
Even with a hidden address, Google knows where you are based, and distance still counts. You will usually rank best near your base and less well further away.
How to reach further
- Create a useful page on your website for each city you serve.
- Collect reviews that mention those cities.
- Post photos and updates from jobs in those areas.
- Consider ads for the outer parts of your territory.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using a virtual office or PO box as an address.
- Creating a separate profile for every city without a real location there.
- Listing more areas than you can serve.
These can lead to a suspension. One accurate, well-maintained profile is worth more than several risky ones.