Can I get my Home-Based Business Address Listed on Google Maps?

Google Maps is a fantastic resource for businesses to appear for local searches, and is one of the most important channels for local businesses to generate new leads.

Google is working hard to improve the ability for users to find local businesses, and the map listing is a key part of this.

Your Google maps listing is managed through Google My Business – Google’s tool to manage your business description, address and reviews.

However, if your business is based from home, you will not be able to list your address on your profile, and may even find yourGoogle My Business profile has been suspended.

Below we have summarised some common queries around Google Maps and My Business when it comes to using your address:

Google have changed their guidelines on this recently.

Previously you used to be able to add your residential address on Google Maps, to better appear for local searches.

You simply selected ‘I serve customers at this address’ and – after confirming your address by being sent a confirmation code in the mail – it would show your home address on Google Maps/My Business.

However, the rules have now changed and now you are only able to show a commercial address on your Google Business listing.

This is because, according to Google “If your business doesn’t have permanent on-site signage, it’s not eligible as a shopfront and should be listed as a service area business.”

This is potentially a big issue for businesses that rely on local searches but may be based from home such as plumbers, builders, accountants, freelancers (including freelance SEOs!) and many, many more.

1. Get Listed as a ‘Service-Area Business’

The first is – after setting up/logging in to Google My Business – to select ‘I do not serve customers at my business address’ in the setup phase.

Or, if you have already added your address, you will need to remove you address completely in the Info section of your Google My Business profile listing.

This will lead to your business location being listed as ‘No location; deliveries and home services only’.

Despite not being able to list your address directly, you are able to select a service area on your profile, to help you show for searches in this area.

You are allowed up to 20 service areas on your business, which can be as large or narrow as you require.

This can actually be of benefit for businesses that are not too reliant on local traffic as the service areas can cover much larger swathes of the country – or even international regions – and the business will still be eligible to show on Maps and in the knowledge pack in the SERPs.

However, if you are a business that needs a prominent address on Google, you may want to opt for our other solution….

2. Hire Another Premises for a Business Address

If your business is heavily reliant on local searches, and a service area listing does not look prominent enought for your business, it may be possible to hire a local commercial property space or virtual office to be able to list this.

Google is quite strict with this and listing can easily be suspended or removed if their guidelines aren’t followed.

The Google guidelines state that virtual offices are not allowed unless staffed during the business hours. This means that PO box addresses are not allowed.

The best options for renting a low-cost commercial address are:

• A shared office space such as a co-working or hot-desking space that offer a business address service. These types of offices often have ‘virtual office’ options where you just hire the address and a managed mailbox/phoneline

• A local accountant’s address. Ask your accountant if their office can be listed as your business address – they will probably charge for this.

• The best (but also most expensive) option is to rent your own business premises such as a dedicated office space.

Utilising one of these options will mean you can still have an address listed on Google Maps/My Business and appear more prominently for local searches.