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Google Places "Service Area" experience?

by jr1228
15 replies
Does anyone have experience with the "Service Area" aspect of Google Places?

Client's home base is in a suburb, but will mainly be serving customers in a nearby city (about ten miles away). There is high search volume for the business type in the city, so I would like to rank him in Google Places for the city. Will this work with a suburb address? My thought is to say the client only serves customers in the city. Luckily the first page Google Places competition isn't too heavy, so the listing I do for him will definitely be the best-optimized.
#experience #google #places #service area
  • Profile picture of the author sconlinemarketing
    I would see if he has a family member in the city that wouldn't mind having their address as a secondary business address, and using that as an additional listing to target that area.
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    • Profile picture of the author TE2
      Set the service area using the zip code(s) for the area(s) to be serviced...

      Regards,

      John
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      • Profile picture of the author GCooper
        Originally Posted by TE2 View Post

        Set the service area using the zip code(s) for the area(s) to be serviced...

        Regards,

        John
        Are there issues with citations when using "service areas"?

        -G
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        • Profile picture of the author jr1228
          Originally Posted by GCooper View Post

          Are there issues with citations when using "service areas"?

          -G
          I hadn't even thought about that aspect. Hmmm.

          localdominator- Unfortunately his home address is outside of the map that currently displays, which is a big reason I was concerned in the first place. I was hoping Areas Served would fix that, but I am not sure.
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          • Profile picture of the author caryduke
            For ranking purposes, the service area is still an issue.
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            • Profile picture of the author jr1228
              Well, wouldn't you know that the results just changed (I am seeing crazy changes across the board -- lots of 7-packs turn into 4-packs; I even saw a 7-pack turn into a 2-pack!) and now his suburb is included in the first page results. Fantastic!
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              • Profile picture of the author ferriswannabe
                Originally Posted by jr1228 View Post

                Well, wouldn't you know that the results just changed (I am seeing crazy changes across the board -- lots of 7-packs turn into 4-packs; I even saw a 7-pack turn into a 2-pack!) and now his suburb is included in the first page results. Fantastic!
                I would stick with getting a secondary address in the target area, what your seeing right now is algo testing by G, be patient and see happens in the next couple of days.

                Most likely, the previous google places results will look very similar to what they were a couple days ago.

                Good Luck
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                • Profile picture of the author jr1228
                  Originally Posted by ferriswannabe View Post

                  I would stick with getting a secondary address in the target area, what your seeing right now is algo testing by G, be patient and see happens in the next couple of days.

                  Most likely, the previous google places results will look very similar to what they were a couple days ago.

                  Good Luck
                  Yep, back to normal this morning. Bummer! Still working on getting a secondary address...
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              • Profile picture of the author TE2
                Originally Posted by jr1228 View Post

                Well, wouldn't you know that the results just changed (I am seeing crazy changes across the board -- lots of 7-packs turn into 4-packs; I even saw a 7-pack turn into a 2-pack!) and now his suburb is included in the first page results. Fantastic!
                Did you make any changes to the listing or did it just happen on its own?

                Also, I have only seen positive benefits by defining the service area.

                John
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                • Profile picture of the author Charile
                  First time i am listening about Service area,I think ,it's a good way to promote keyword.
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  • Profile picture of the author localdominator
    A good rule of thumb you can use is when you search for the keyword + area look at the map. If his business is located within the bounds of the map he probably will not need a second listing in the targeted area. If he is outside of that map I would suggest getting a more local address for him/her.
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  • Profile picture of the author traceface
    I think for the most positive results, with staying power, the extra address is the answer. We've been seeing lots of google maps turned upside down, too, and one thing that has helped us keep our clients where they want to be (and where we want them to be) is with the additional addresses.
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  • Profile picture of the author johnhoefer
    Traceface, where do you get the additional addresses? Home addresses of the employees? I found renting virtual mailing addresses to expensive at $99/mo. I guess you only need to do it for the first month or so to get your post card in the mail. Still looking for an easy and inexpensive way to do this.
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    • Profile picture of the author TE2
      A strong word of caution:

      Google wants real businesses located at real addresses.
      Using anything else puts listing(s) at risk.


      Also be aware that there is a "Report Problem" link on every verified place page that ANYONE can click to report problems with a listing.

      Why give google or your competitors ammo?


      Playing by Big G's rules lets me and my customers sleep well at night.

      Regards,

      John

      ps - To find the link, click on the "Edit this place" link in the upper right of any verified listing.
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      • Profile picture of the author johnhoefer
        This is exactly why I haven't done it. Every day that goes by is another day that my listing will get caught. I wouldn't do it with my family's insurance agency or a customer, I would try it out on a new company I am forming. But you are right, putting someone else's business at risk is not a safe thing to do.

        Originally Posted by TE2 View Post

        A strong word of caution:

        Google wants real businesses located at real addresses.
        Using anything else puts listing(s) at risk.


        Also be aware that there is a "Report Problem" link on every verified place page that ANYONE can click to report problems with a listing.

        Why give google or your competitors ammo?


        Playing by Big G's rules lets me and my customers sleep well at night.

        Regards,

        John

        ps - To find the link, click on the "Edit this place" link in the upper right of any verified listing.
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