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Google business places

by DexterGallagher
11 replies
Hi,

Just wondered if anyone can tell me how I can go about verifying a site that does not have a physical location in the state they wish to rank for. I understand that UPS offer a mailing service and can redirect the post code. Any other ideas?
#business #google #places
  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    I don't mean to be a boy scout...but it there is no physical address then you shouldn't have a Google Business Page. You can create a Google Brand Page for your client but trying to trick Google into thinking you have a Brick and Mortar address, isn't the way to go.

    Haven't you heard IMRE (Internet Marketers Ruin Everything)


    Originally Posted by DexterGallagher View Post

    Hi,

    Just wondered if anyone can tell me how I can go about verifying a site that does not have a physical location in the state they wish to rank for. I understand that UPS offer a mailing service and can redirect the post code. Any other ideas?
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    • Profile picture of the author DexterGallagher
      So instead of being a smart ass, you can't answer the question...move on!

      Some kind person (Ian you know who you are), told me - close this thread before another buffoon comments.

      Originally Posted by sdentrepreneur View Post

      I don't mean to be a boy scout...but it there is no physical address then you shouldn't have a Google Business Page. You can create a Google Brand Page for your client but trying to trick Google into thinking you have a Brick and Mortar address, isn't the way to go.

      Haven't you heard IMRE (Internet Marketers Ruin Everything)
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      • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
        My friend, I was giving my honest opinion. If you are hell bent on getting a Google Business Page in a city that you don't have a location. You will have to find someone that will be able to accept a Google postcard in the mail. They will NOT approve a P.O. Box. Luckily, they will accept a phone call from a cell phone now. It used to have to be a land line in the business.

        My only other suggestion, would be to find a Co-Working Place that also accepts mail. That way, you have the Brick and Mortar address. You will have to pay for them to accept your mail for a few months until you get the Google postcard.

        Coworking Spaces Directory

        James


        Originally Posted by DexterGallagher View Post

        So instead of being a smart ass, you can't answer the question...move on!

        Some kind person (Ian you know who you are), told me - close this thread before another buffoon comments.
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      • Profile picture of the author rseigel
        Originally Posted by DexterGallagher View Post

        So instead of being a smart ass, you can't answer the question...move on!

        Some kind person (Ian you know who you are), told me - close this thread before another buffoon comments.
        You're asking how to get around Google's intent of keeping Google LOCAL actually LOCAL?

        Then you lash out at someone who tries to tell you that it's a bad idea?

        Seriously?

        Does your client know you're putting them at risk of Google banning them completely?

        I pity your "clients". They're paying for someone that doesn't have a clue what he's doing.
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        Cheers,

        Ron

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      • Profile picture of the author IGrind2Unwind
        Originally Posted by DexterGallagher View Post

        So instead of being a smart ass, you can't answer the question...move on!

        Some kind person (Ian you know who you are), told me - close this thread before another buffoon comments.
        I don't think he was being a smartass by any means, Google LOCAL is LOCAL for a reason. Either you get a virtual office or find someone willing to share their business address with you, or you go about it in the way that he described as a brand.
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  • Profile picture of the author IMGoodies
    Get a virtual office.

    Opus and the like offer a physical addy, phone, mail forwarding, call forwarding and receptionist for a decent price.

    They will call once you get your verification codes.. handy when building citations etc..

    Gluck.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by DexterGallagher View Post

      So instead of being a smart ass, you can't answer the question...move on!

      Some kind person (Ian you know who you are), told me - close this thread before another buffoon comments.
      Uh, I don't think he was being a smart ass at all.

      He did give an answer.

      Don't be taking up google places pages if you don't have a physical address in the area.

      https://support.google.com/business/.../3038177?hl=en
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      "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

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  • Profile picture of the author DexterGallagher
    I was giben the answer I needed 11 Nov - virtual office.
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    • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
      James and others are right. It's major violation to have a listing in a city you are not physically located in and can get your client suspended.

      Nope virtual office is not the answer either. Google is onto virtual offices too. They are not allowed. Neither are PO boxes even the ones that look like physical addresses. Google can detect all those places (due to all the spammers before you that have raised red flags for those locations). And if by chance does not catch it, don't you think one of the local legit businesses would report someone that's an outsider breaking the rules and trying to pretend they have an office there?

      AND I feel it's morally wrong, because it takes up a spot that should belong to a business that pays rent in that city, hires local employees, is trying to support a family in that city and has maybe worked for years to legitimately build up their rankings.

      AND again you can get your client suspended. And I'm talking totally suspended - every listing. If they do have a valid listing in a city they are really located in, that viable listing they are really counting on, could be suspended as well.

      AND last but not least, since you are being rude to people trying to help you PLUS are trying to spam local, I will say this...

      If you don't know the things we've tried to explain above, then you likely don't know how complicated local is and won't be able to get them to rank. (If they don't rank what's the point?) Even IF you were a Local SEO pro, you still would probably not be able to get them to rank ahead of legit businesses that have been working on their local footprint for years, are members of the local chamber, etc. Google looks at hundreds of signals to determine who's real, who's established, which businesses are popular in that city.
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      Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
      ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
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      • Profile picture of the author Advanpro
        Don't use a VO Google will kill your listing. Go to yell.com or similar look for low level businesses such as high street printers ( could be any business really) to make some extra cash some of these business rent out postal addresses. Use one of those it works a treat !

        Or pay someone to use their address
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        • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
          Alright guys.... lets be honest here...

          Yes, we all know it isn't something that is within the guidelines. No, Google is not going to ban you entirely if you get caught. Linda is right they can suspend all the listings but if you're going to dip into the darker side of local SEO, you can't have all your listings in the same account, you can't have the same phone numbers and you shouldn't be using the same business names either.

          The fact of the matter is that when you take on a client, you're expected to get results. Whether those results come in for 3 months or 3 years, that is your job. It is also your job to be honest with the client about that up front. Is it morally wrong? I'm not sure Google's algorithm cares about morals that much, I'm sure there are businesses on page 2 or 3 that are more deserving of the rankings in many situations and search terms.

          When I think about ranking a client outside of their city, I don't think about what Google says is okay and not okay, I think about relevance(which IS what they actually want). How can I make the client not only industry relevant, but location relevant? Sometimes, a virtual office is the answer, other times it is not. It depends on how often the virtual office has been used. Sometimes it would be better to just find a mule in the city and pay them $25 for receiving the damn postcard.

          I've had Google reps on the phone doing manual verifications for me of a virtual office, along with a PO box as long as the address wasn't displayed.

          There are a lot of options available.

          When someone becomes a client, their competition is your competition. You need to put food on their table, because they're putting food on yours.

          That's the reality of it.

          Kudos to James for the co-working space suggestion. One I didn't think of, and might actually work.
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