Google treats businesses that go to their customers differently from businesses customers visit. The short version: if you don't serve customers at your address, hide it and list the areas you actually serve. Here's how to tell which kind of business you are and what to fill in.
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Figure out which type of business you are
Google separates storefronts, service-area businesses, and hybrids, and the setup is different for each.
A service-area business visits or delivers to customers but doesn't serve them at its own address, like a cleaning service or a plumber. A hybrid does both. Google also says a business without permanent on-site signage isn't eligible as a storefront. If you're unsure, ask one question: do customers come to you, or do you go to them?
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Hide your address if customers don't come to it
Google's instruction is direct: if you don't serve customers at your business address, remove it and list your service area instead.
You'll still need an address Google can find to verify the business, but it doesn't have to show publicly. If you work from home, keeping your home address off Google Maps is a nice side benefit.
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List the areas you actually serve
Service areas should be the places your customers really come from, not every city you'd theoretically drive to.
Name the cities or neighborhoods where you do most of your work. A tight, accurate list is more believable to a customer than a sprawling one, and it keeps your profile honest about where you'll show up.
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Know when a storefront is required
Some businesses can't be listed as service-area businesses at all.
Google says businesses with age-restricted products or services, like alcohol, cannabis, or weapons, need a storefront. That's worth knowing if you sell alcohol and are thinking about delivery or catering as a separate listing.
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Fill in everything else completely
Without a street address showing, the rest of your profile has to explain who you are and what you do.
Pick the most specific category that fits, write a plain description of what you do and where, list your services, add real photos of your work, and keep your hours accurate. Google says complete, detailed information helps it match your profile to relevant searches.
Not sure your profile is set up the right way?
The Google Business Profile audit checks your business type, address settings, service areas, and the rest of your listing against Google's guidelines, so you know it's set up correctly.
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