Google Places - Local Biz Listing
-
I have an online only website (no brick and mortar storefront). I heard somewhere that if I create a Google Local Places account, this is not good for online shops. Something to do with it taking the place of my website's SERP ranking. Is this true? Are there any downsides to it? I know I would need to hide the location so people don't come to my house.
-
Hi Chris,
As Andy has correctly stated, virtual businesses are not eligible for inclusion in Google's local products. In order to qualify, a business must:
1. Have a unique, physical street address (no PO boxes, virtual offices or shared addresses)
2. Have a unique, local area code phone number (not a toll free number or a shared number)
3. Have in-person transactions with its customers, either at the place of business (like a restaurant), or at the customers' locations (like a plumber).
If your company doesn't meet all 3 of these criteria, then it doesn't qualify. Thanks for asking a good question.
-
Unless there is an actual address associated with the business, then Google will remove it. It won't even get as far as being accepted I'm afraid. They also don't let you use a PO Box.
However, you could think about renting an address? Some business complexes have this facility available.
Andy
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Need strategies to transfer Google+ circles from a personal Google+ page to a business Google+ page
Hello Mozers Is there a way I can copy or capture my circles from my personal Google+ account and copy and paste or send them to my business Google+ account? Do I have to reinvite from my business account and have them add or follow me again via my business account? Any strategies for transferring over circles would be much appreciated Thanks!
Social Media | | RosemaryB0 -
Important G+ News: Google to End Forced G+ Integration, Cut Resources. What Does Everyone Think?
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/04/report-google-to-end-forced-g-integration-drastically-cut-division-resources/ Assuming this article is accurate, I am glad this happened. I spent little time focusing on G+ because I truly felt there were better things to focus my time on. It was never well received by the public and SEO's (for the most part). I did not agree with its usability nor its philosophy. Its forced integration was annoying to say the least and I believe by forcing it down our throats, it turned many of us off. I hope that G+ will no longer have any impact on ranking in SERPs. I never dedicated much time to gaining more followers and I hope that was the right decision. What does everyone think about this?
Social Media | | jampaper0 -
Google +1 Client Websites
Is it a good idea to have all of our employees +1 our clients Google Plus accounts? This will add a few more followers but want to avoid any potential issues.
Social Media | | Prager0 -
How long before we show up in Google+ 7 packs?
Some of our generic, non localized keywords (ex: "Information technology services") are triggering Google+ 7 Pack listings with local results. We are ranking on the first page for those keywords in organic. The companies listed in the 7 packs have worse link profiles, mediocre SEO fundamentals, fewer citations, and no +s or reviews. Our Google+ page has been up for a few weeks, and we added content: images, videos, a detailed profile, and articles. Our competitors have nothing but a blank site. We did our research, and we also built well-optimized pages for each of the keywords that triggers a 7 Pack. Assuming Google decides we deserve to be there, how long should it take for Google to place us in the 7 Packs? Our vertical is a little different - IT Support - the 7 packs are localized within a 40 mile radius, and the organic SERPs are a mix of regional and national (ex: IBM) players. Are the results totally geocentric? Does it pay to build legitimate backlinks to our Google+ page or link there from content on our corporate site?
Social Media | | CsmBill0 -
How do I build author rank on Google+ ?
I have a website for one of my businesses at www.trustworthycare.com that we've been building upon for many years. On that site we have a lot of content and we publish at least two blog articles each week with solid content that is relevant to members of the market that the business wants to attract as customers. I have a second website for a new business at www.ageassistance.com that is in the same market but which operates in a different manner. That second business is very new. It also publishes two articles per week. Both sites name me as the author and I have created a Google+ page for myself. The sites identify me as the author for google+ author purposes. Both businesses also have google+ pages. The weekly articles are being pushed out to the respective Google+ business pages as well as to my own Google+ page. I think I've got all the basics established for us to take advantage of google+ for SEO purposes, then. Is that correct? If so, what do we do next? What matters? Getting others to +1 my posts? On which Google+ page, mine or the businesses? Getting others to share my posts? If so, is it better to get them shared from my personal page, or from the businesses' pages? Thanks!
Social Media | | tcolling0 -
Can I use a customized Google+ icon?
I just want to ask if it is possible to use a customized Google+ icon. I am confused after I have read this "For buttons that may be rendered by the Publisher, such as the Sharing Link, the Publisher must use only the official Google-provided icon or a plain text and link combination. source: http://www.google.com/intl/en/webmasters/+1/button/policy.html Thanks in advance! 🙂
Social Media | | esiow20130 -
Google+ Local and Google Places?
Hey Everyone, I've been out of the game for a few months, and I am amazed at how much I've missed! I'm trying to wrap my head around the difference between Google+, Google+ Local, and Google Places - can anyone help? My client has a Google+ account and manages multiple businesses under Google Places. I can't seem to get google to connect the two though (the account login is the same). I know Google is still working on migrating Google Places to Google+ Local, so here's my question: How do I obtain ownership of my Google Places listings in Google+ Local? I already have ownership of the Google Places listings, but when I log into the Google+ account there is no proof of ownership. I can add the related Google+ Local locations to my "Pages" in Google+, but it lists me as a manager and not an owner. My client has been penalized by Google in the past (not my doing, but unfortunately something I now have to deal with), so I want to tread lightly as I optimize his local listings. Any assistance to help me figure this out is greatly appreciated! Also, if anyone knows of a good book on Google+ Local for business owners I would love the referral! Thanks!
Social Media | | Level2Designs0