Service Areas

How you configure your location type affects where and how you appear in search results.

Business Types

Storefront Business

Customers come to your location:

• Retail stores
• Restaurants
• Medical offices
• Banks

Configuration: Display your address publicly

Service-Area Business (SAB)

You travel to customers:

• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Mobile pet grooming
• House cleaning

Configuration: Hide address, define service areas

Hybrid Business

Both—customers visit AND you travel:

• Pizza restaurant with delivery
• Florist with delivery service
• Auto shop with towing

Configuration: Display address AND define service areas

Service-Area Business Setup

When to Use SAB

• You don't serve customers at your business address
• Your address is a home office
• You travel to customer locations

Setting Service Areas

You can define service areas by:

Cities/Towns:

• Add specific cities you serve
• Most precise option
• Recommended for most SABs

Postal Codes:

• Add specific ZIP codes
• Good for defined delivery zones

Regions:

• Counties or larger areas
• Use sparingly—can be too broad

Service Area Limits

• Maximum 20 service areas
• Should represent areas you actually serve
• Areas should be within reasonable travel distance

Address Visibility

For SABs:

• Your address is hidden from customers
• You still need a real address for verification
• No P.O. boxes or virtual offices allowed

Storefront Setup

When to Use Storefront

• Customers visit your physical location
• You have signage and a public address
• Walk-ins are welcome

Address Requirements

• Must be a real, physical address
• Must have visible signage
• Must be staffed during listed hours
• No virtual offices or coworking spaces (unless you have dedicated space)

Hybrid Business Setup

When to Use Hybrid

• Customers visit AND you provide services at their location
• Restaurant with dine-in AND delivery
• Store with in-store shopping AND home installation

Configuration

1. Display your address publicly
2. Also define service areas
3. Both are shown on your profile

Common Configuration Mistakes

Using Home Address for SAB

• Technically allowed
• Address is hidden, so privacy maintained
• But still needed for verification

Setting Service Areas Too Large

• Don't claim to serve areas 3+ hours away
• Google may limit visibility if areas seem unrealistic
• Customers may leave bad reviews if you can't actually serve them

Incorrect Business Type Selection

• Claiming SAB when you have a storefront (to avoid address issues)
• This violates guidelines and risks suspension

How Service Areas Affect Rankings

For SABs

• Rank based on service area, not physical location
• Proximity to searcher still matters within service area
• More specific service areas may help targeting

For Storefronts

• Proximity to searcher is key
• Service areas don't override location-based ranking

For Hybrids

• Location matters for "near me" searches
• Service areas extend reach for delivery/service searches

Changing Business Type

You can switch between types:

1. Go to GBP dashboard
2. Edit profile
3. Change "Location" settings

Note: Switching may require re-verification.

Multi-Location Service Areas

For businesses with multiple locations:

• Each location should have its own profile
• Service areas can overlap slightly
• Don't create fake locations to cover more area

Key Takeaways

1. Choose the right business type (storefront, SAB, hybrid)
2. SABs hide address but still need real location for verification
3. Service areas should be realistic and achievable
4. Don't game the system with fake addresses or unrealistic service areas
5. Service area configuration affects where you appear in search