Local SEO - Ranking a Service Based Business in Local Map Pack

homeriscool

homeriscool

Elite Member
Jr. VIP
Joined
Jun 24, 2013
Messages
2,433
Reaction score
3,667
Hi all, I just started working on a new service based business and Google is not allowing me to add a physical address to my GMB listing (because theres no physical store)

So whats the deal here?

Will this business show up on the local maps?

Is it worth doing all the usaual local seo stuff such as citations etc?

Here's what it says in the address section of the GMB -

1695642930189.png
 
Advertise on BHW
homeriscool said:
Hi all, I just started working on a new service based business and Google is not allowing me to add a physical address to my GMB listing (because theres no physical store)

So whats the deal here?

Will this business show up on the local maps?

Is it worth doing all the usaual local seo stuff such as citations etc?

Here's what it says in the address section of the GMB -

View attachment 287023
Click to expand...

If you didn't select that you have a store, you may be shit out of luck. I haven't ever selected the no store option so I don't know how it can be reversed on their new UI.
 
It can be easily reversed what is the niche of the business ?
 
SOCOM said:
If you didn't select that you have a store, you may be shit out of luck. I haven't ever selected the no store option so I don't know how it can be reversed on their new UI.
Click to expand...

I've sorted it

I deleted the GMB and created a new one. Then the video verification asked for a video.

(I've found a way to get past it)

New GMB is set up and now I'm working on ranking it.
 
homeriscool said:
I've sorted it

I deleted the GMB and created a new one. Then the video verification asked for a video.

(I've found a way to get past it)

New GMB is set up and now I'm working on ranking it.
Click to expand...

You bypassed the video verification and they didn't suspend it? Was it an easy niche?
 
You'll show up as a service area business (SAB). It's extremely difficult to rank a SAB against businesses with a physical location.

It's still valuable to build citations and other local seo practices because you still want google to understand the business has a geographic relevance for organic search. Someday you might be able to get the SAB to attach to an address. Having a history of citations will help that happen.
 
homeriscool said:
Hi all, I just started working on a new service based business and Google is not allowing me to add a physical address to my GMB listing (because theres no physical store)

So whats the deal here?

Will this business show up on the local maps?

Is it worth doing all the usaual local seo stuff such as citations etc?

Here's what it says in the address section of the GMB -

View attachment 287023
Click to expand...
If your service-based business lacks a physical store, Google My Business (GMB) won't display a physical address on maps. However, you can still optimize for local SEO by focusing on online presence, reviews, citations, and accurate business information to improve visibility and attract customers.
 
homeriscool said:
I've sorted it

I deleted the GMB and created a new one. Then the video verification asked for a video.

(I've found a way to get past it)

New GMB is set up and now I'm working on ranking it.
Click to expand...
Hello, I would love to know how you got past the GMB video verification. I am driving myself crazy trying to figure it out.
 
The people who are against service-based businesses just don't know how to rank an SAB listing, so full of assumptions.

My initial listing was a service-area business and I've outranked a tonne of competition in a highly competitive niche. That year, we still closed a tonne of customers until we converted it into a physical address. There is absolutely no reason why you cannot outrank a physical location if you are proactive with your SEO and know what you are doing in terms of increasing local rankings.

The biggest advantage of a service area business:

You don't have to worry about having to finesse your way out of video verification.

And you can still get the same results as a physical address. There are companies doing millions with SAB listings...
 
Hi Mate,

Can you please help me? I have been trying for 2,5 years to rank my SAB business in Local organic, but have zero success. I can only rank first using the keyword besides the business name in the map, but at organic, I'm at position 20 and have gotten like 6 high DR links pointing to the main service page. Perhaps Mr G is ignoring my links because I am pointing them directly to a commercial intent, service page?
 
Lucho777 said:
Hi Mate,

Can you please help me? I have been trying for 2,5 years to rank my SAB business in Local organic, but have zero success. I can only rank first using the keyword besides the business name in the map, but at organic, I'm at position 20 and have gotten like 6 high DR links pointing to the main service page. Perhaps Mr G is ignoring my links because I am pointing them directly to a commercial intent, service page?
Click to expand...
I have been working on my own SAB. I have found the local citations perform very little movement. They provide some but not as big as they once were.

-Backlinks are good at ranking local keyword-specific pages.

-Real reviews from real people given at a moderate rate give massive jumps from low rankings to the top 10.

-Customer interaction with your GMB. I am currently in the process of building services pages and linking the services to the section on the GMB profile.

I am currently experimenting with a BHW service that provides real people CTR but only on a global scale, nothing GEO. Just started a few days ago. Google Analytics and GSC are recording results with it. GMB will take a while to start showing anything with it.
 
homeriscool said:
I've sorted it

I deleted the GMB and created a new one. Then the video verification asked for a video.

(I've found a way to get past it)

New GMB is set up and now I'm working on ranking it.
Click to expand...
can u share the method to bypass, service based company
 
Grio said:
I have been working on my own SAB. I have found the local citations perform very little movement. They provide some but not as big as they once were.

-Backlinks are good at ranking local keyword-specific pages.

-Real reviews from real people given at a moderate rate give massive jumps from low rankings to the top 10.

-Customer interaction with your GMB. I am currently in the process of building services pages and linking the services to the section on the GMB profile.

I am currently experimenting with a BHW service that provides real people CTR but only on a global scale, nothing GEO. Just started a few days ago. Google Analytics and GSC are recording results with it. GMB will take a while to start showing anything with it.
Click to expand...
Thank you,

On the organic side, do you point the links directly to the service pages for example "plumber Liverpool" or do you point the links to a blog post and from the blob post internally link to the service page?

I am fine ranking the GBP, but I haven't been able is to rank on the organic side.
 
I am going to put directly to the service
Lucho777 said:
Thank you,

On the organic side, do you point the links directly to the service pages for example "plumber Liverpool" or do you point the links to a blog post and from the blob post internally link to the service page?

I am fine ranking the GBP, but I haven't been able is to rank on the organic side.
Click to expand...
Just pointed directly to the service pages.

My blog I'm just doing AI auto blogging off RSS feeds one for local news and one for niche news. If I wanted a landing page for SEO or w.e. I'd build backlinks and either write it myself or higher someone.

Reviews I always give a link via text after a job or in a final email.
 
For service-based businesses without a physical storefront, Google allows you to set a service area based on the cities or ZIP codes you serve. This way, you can still appear in local searches without an address. Absolutely still do the usual local SEO work.
 
Advertise on BHW
You must log in or register to reply here.
Sign up now!

Main Menu

Home Main Forum List Black Hat SEO White Hat SEO BHW Newbie Guide Blogging Black Hat Tools Social Media Downloads

Marketplace

Account Selling Content / Copywriting EBooks / Methods Hosting Misc Proxies For Sale SEO - Link building SEO - Packages Social Media Social Media - Panels Web Design More

Making Money

Affiliate Programs Hire a Freelancer IM Journeys Making Money Pay Per Click Site Flipping Want to Buy

BlackHat World

Dispute Resolution Forum Suggestions & Feedback Introductions Lounge
Back
Top