📍Physical or Service Area: The Secret to Skyrocketing Local SEO!

Service Area vs. Physical Address.

Which one is better?

There are three options to choose from regarding your Google Business Profile location.

• List your physical address

• List your service area(s)

• Hybrid model: A physical address + Service Areas

Historically, Google has given more local exposure to businesses with a physical address than those in a service area. This is because proximity is one of the most important ranking factors.

If you are listed as a service area business, do not panic. It’s not over for you. Yes, service-area businesses can still rank well, and we have plenty of evidence to prove it.

Physical Address:

A listed physical address will significantly improve a business's visibility in local search results for near me searches as proximity is a major factor in rankings.

Google wants to provide the best user experience. This means they want to show reputable businesses near by.

Limited Reach Beyond Immediate Area:

When a physical address is listed, Google uses it to prioritize search results for users searching within a close geographic proximity. This means that potential customers searching for services outside of the immediate area where the business is located may not see the business listed in their search results.

Service Area Business

Local Search Ranking Improvement:

By specifying service areas, your business can improve its ranking in local search results for the areas it serves, even if it's not physically located there.

Broader Keyword Relevance:

A service area business can target location-specific keywords across multiple regions, increasing the chances of ranking for a variety of location-based searches.

Opportunity for Niche Targeting:

Businesses can optimize for specific neighborhoods or communities, which might have less competition, allowing them to dominate niche markets.

Many people think they can't populate in search results without a physical address, and this is false.

99% of the businesses we work with are service area businesses.

Let's take a look at a service area business in Colorado we work with:

As an SAB, he is ranked #1 across the entire state of Colorado for his primary search terms.

Hybrid Approach:

Here’s an overview of how this approach works and its benefits:

A business lists its physical address to appear in search results for "near me" searches, ensuring visibility to local customers.

The business also sets a service area, which may encompass regions beyond the immediate vicinity of the physical address, targeting potential customers in those broader areas.

Benefits:

Increased Visibility:

Appearing in local search results both for immediate local customers and for those in the broader service area.

Greater SEO Advantage:

Leverages local SEO benefits of a physical address for “near me” searches while also targeting a larger audience with the service areas.

Flexibility in Customer Engagement:

Offers multiple ways for customers to engage with the business, whether they are looking for a local store front or need services delivered to their location.

Competitive Edge:

Show up in a variety of local searches to stand out against businesses that list only an address or a service area.

Ok Andy, thanks for the info, but which is best?

The right local SEO strategy blends visibility and accessibility. It's about placing your business firmly on the map where it matters most to your customers. The best way to do this is most often with a hybrid approach, as it gives you the best of both worlds.

ATTENTION REQUIRED: WARNING

Do not use the address of a residential property. This is very important to ensure you don't run into verification and suspension issues with Google.

Google only allows businesses without a storefront or that serve customers at their locations to create a Business Profile without a specific address.

A physical address on a Google Business Profile refers to the actual, real-world address where a business is located. This must be a physical storefront with permanent signage where customers interact with your business.

If you have a business with a legitimate office location (and signage to prove it’s your business), you should list your business address on your Google Business Profile.

Ready to dominate your local market?