Google My Business for Virtual Business


Overview

It’s possible to have a Google Maps listing without publicly sharing your address. This is great for service area businesses, especially those that may be operated out of a personal residence.


Instructions for setting up Google Profile without address

  1. Go to Google Business Profile

  2. The next screen that is asking for your business name. Type in your business name how you would like it to appear on your Google Maps listing.

  3. After your name is in you will need to select an appropriate Business Type for your business. 

 

4. After your name is in you will need to select an appropriate Business Category for your business listing. Start to type what most accurately describes your business.
5. After you have an accurate category added select next.
6. Enter a service area on the next screen.  You can add more than 1 area such as city names or areas.


  7. Enter the contact details on the next screen.

  8. The next screen is where the details for Google Maps will be placed.


9. Important: If you don't serve customers at your business address, do not enter an address under the "Info" tab in Business Profile Manager. Leave the "business location" field blank. See details on Support.google.com

To use a service area, your business must be one of the following business types:

Service-area business: A business that visits or delivers to customers directly, but doesn’t serve customers at their business address. For example, businesses like cleaning services or plumbers. Service-area businesses can only create one profile for the metropolitan area that they serve.

Toggle off - Show business address to customers in the Business Information section.



Hybrid business: A business that serves customers at their business address, but also directly visits or delivers to customers. If your business doesn’t have permanent on-site signage, it's not eligible as a storefront and should be listed as a service-area business. For example, a dine-in restaurant that also delivers food. 

Hybrid businesses can show their storefront address, set their hours for when they're staffed at that address, and designate a service area. 

For Physical Addresses: Enter your address and details for Google to verify. You may not add a P.O. Box. This must be a physical location. The options available depend on your business information. Most likely, Google will want to send you a postcard to the address you provided. It takes approximately 1 business week to arrive. Click Verify and request the postcard. You’ll need to log into Google Business Profile when you receive this postcard to enter in a code that the postcard contains. This provides Google with proof your business information is accurate and that you are permitted to manage this listing.

10. Verify your business. If you aren’t ready to verify, there is an option to “Verify Later”. Your listing will not show until you are verified however. Be sure to complete this.

11. Add your business hours. Toggle on or off any days you are open or closed. Enter the time you are open and a closing time. There is also an option to show you’re open 24 hours


 12. Choose if you want to add messaging.

13. Enter a detailed description about your business.  There is a 750 character limit so include relevant information.

14. Add photos of your business.  If you are not a brick and mortar store, you can add images of other services/products you offer.
15. Google will usually offer a free advertising credit. You can choose to take this or skip it for now.



16. When you have entered all the details, Google will begin the verification process.  Once verified, your listing will show. 

  • Click Menu Menu and then Business Profile settings and then Managers.

  • At the top left, click Add Invite new users.

  • Enter a name or email address.

  • Under "Access," choose Owner or Manager.

  • Click Invite. 

  • Kick back for a well-deserved break. You’ve done well!