How to use Google business profile for a service area business

Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business or GMB) is an invaluable tool to help local businesses grow. A startup or small business can create a Google My Business listing to improve its online visibility. By appearing in local search results and on Google Maps, you streamline the process of attracting new customers. 

In addition, a business owner can collect feedback from customer reviews and star ratings after setting up a Google Business Profile. Any entrepreneur, whether they operate a service business or retail store, can benefit from having a GMB listing.

 

What’s a service area business?

While traditional businesses may provide services or retail products at a physical location or storefront, a service area business directly provides deliveries or services for the customers. Some examples of service area businesses include HVAC contractors, locksmiths, plumbers and landscapers who must go on-site to serve their clientele. 

Before deciding to do business with a company, potential customers should be aware of the company’s service area, which is the geographic location—often a zone or metropolitan area—where the business sells its products or services.

When creating a Google My Business listing, a service area business can set up only one profile for the metro in which they operate or provide services.

How to set up Google my business for a service area business

A service area business may not sell its products or services from a physical address, but it can still benefit from managing a profile on Google My Business. A GMB account improves search engine optimization (SEO), specifically local SEO, so potential customers can find relevant companies through a Google search.

Plus, owners can update business hours and key company details like their phone number or business category. The process of creating a Google My Business listing involves three simple steps:

Step 1: Claim your business on Google

Navigate to Google Business Profile, then click on “Manage Now.” A search box should appear, prompting you to enter your business name. If your company does not already have a Google My Business account, you should see an option to add a listing.

Step 2: Verify your business

Google aims to confirm the rightful business owner of a GMB listing to prevent fraudulent updates to a business profile. Though the verification process may sometimes take place through email, a phone call, or SMS, Google requires many local businesses to verify their listing via traditional snail mail.

In the latter case, Google mails you a postcard with a unique verification code, usually within 14 days. After you enter the code onto your Google My Business setup page, then verification is complete.

Step 3: Review your business information

After verifying your listing, review your company details and contact information for accuracy. This includes your business address and phone number. These updates can take a few weeks to show up in Google’s search engine and Google Maps. 

How to manage a service area listing

Google My Business features an easy-to-use dashboard so a business owner can easily change or update information relative to their company, such as a business location or physical address. There is even a dedicated section on Google My Business for service area information.

How do I add, remove or edit a service area in Google My Business?

Step 1: Open your Google Business Profile

Click on your profile Account Circle, located in the top right, then open “Your Business Profile.”

Step 2: Navigate to “Location and areas”

Choose “Edit Profile,” then go to “Business Information” to find “Location and areas.”

Step 3: Select “Edit”

Under “Location and areas,” next to “Service area,” click on Edit, which includes a pencil icon.

Step 4: Choose or remove service areas

From here, you can either delete service areas outside the scope of your business, choose from suggested service areas or input a new service area.

Step 5: Click on “Save”

Save your changes to update your Google My Business listing. It may take a few days for your edits to publish to Google Maps and other Google products, including its search engine.

How many service areas can you add to Google My Business?

A service area business may serve more than one particular metro or zone. On your GMB listing, you can add up to 20 service areas determined by the zip codes, cities, or other areas in which you do business. 

Guide to optimize Google my business for a service area business

To increase their chances of appearing in a Google search, small business owners providing a local service will want to optimize their listing on Google My Business. From collecting positive reviews from customers to choosing relevant categories containing keywords, a service area business can improve its digital marketing strategy and local SEO to reach new clientele. 

Step 1: Choose the best primary and secondary categories

Let potential customers know exactly what your service area business offers by choosing descriptive categories. A primary category is specific, describing your business in its entirety. 

For example, if you are a landscaper, your primary category should describe precisely what you do, so you may choose from “Landscape Lighting Designer,” “Rock Landscaping Contractor” or another option.

If your niche isn’t available as a primary category, it may help to default to a general option like “Landscape Designer.” Your secondary category or categories can be broader than your primary, such as “Landscaper.” At this time, it is not possible to add new categories.

Step 2: Add images or videos to your listing

Pictures or videos can serve as a portfolio or simply show the types of services and products you are selling or have sold. These visuals give prospective clients an idea of what you offer as a service area business. 

A landscaping business owner, for example, may upload images of landscaping designs they have created for past customers.

Step 3: Use local customer reviews to gain more online visibility

Not only can Google reviews help customers find your business when they conduct a local search, but the feedback allows you to provide an exceptional customer experience. 

One of the perks of managing your Google My Business profile is the ability to respond to customer reviews. You can thank happy customers for their patronage and respond to negative reviews to resolve any issues. In addition, online reviews help with local SEO so your business can rank higher in a Google search.

Step 4: Create local business links to simplify the conversion process

On a Google My Business listing, add a link to your company’s website so searchers can seamlessly browse your services and products or schedule an appointment.

Use social media marketing to cultivate a community

Engage with your customer base and expand your online presence by creating and managing accounts on different social media platforms. 

Small businesses and larger enterprises take advantage of popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Yelp, LinkedIn and Twitter to build their community, spread brand awareness and post about new products and services, as well as promotions and special sales.

Market your business with Broadly

Streamline how you manage your company’s customer experience and online reputation with Broadly’s review management software. Monitor and respond to online reviews from different listings and platforms, including your Google My Business profile, using a single intuitive tool.