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Apr '22

6 Helpful Tips for Sending A Review Request Via SMS in 2023

Sending a Review Request Via SMS (Blog Cover)

Sending a review request via SMS can be challenging for business owners. How do you find the review link on Google, Facebook, or Yelp? How do you send it to your customers? Can you automate this process? These are common questions, and DataPins provides the answers.

Below, DataPins provides several helpful tips for sending a review request through text messaging.

Sending a review request through text messaging is shown to increase review frequency and help build an online reputation. Still, you have to understand how to achieve this at scale in 2023.

Table of Contents

Tip #1: Include A Link

The first thing you should do is make it easy for your customers to write a review of your business. One of the easiest ways to request a review is to include a short link to your Google review page.

It’s straightforward to get a Google review link; once you do, you can include it in your SMS review requests.

Most people fail to submit a review because the process is too long or too complicated. However, when you send a link that leads right to your review page, you will get much more reviews for your business.

Be sure to include the link in your text message requests. Bonus tip: you can also use this link in your marketing emails.

Tip #2: Keep It Concise

One of the reasons sending a review request via SMS is so effective is that the whole process is quick. When people open a text message, they aren’t expecting to read an essay, so keep your message brief and to the point.

Let the customer know that you value their business and input. Again, a link will help you truncate the message to just the important stuff.

A customer will immediately delete or ignore a text message if the body appears too long. Therefore, keep your message well under 160 characters for the best response.

Tip #3: Personalize your Message

We understand that running a business is extremely time-consuming. However, you should try to take the time to personalize your SMS review requests. Why? Because personalized messages get opened up a lot more than generic ones.

It’s true of emails, and it’s also true of text messages. But unfortunately, most consumers will simply ignore a text message as spam if the message does not seem personalized.

But what do we mean by personalized? For starters, you can use the customer’s name in the first few words of the text message. You can also reference the specific product or service the customer paid for.

Consumers appreciate it when they feel a message has been tailored for them and not just spurted out by some spammy marketing campaign. It may be time-consuming, but you will find that you get a much better response rate when you personalize your text message review requests.

Tip #4: Consider Timing

Timing is also crucial when sending a review request via SMS. Some customers need time to process the service before they can have an opinion of it. An immediate request is fitting for some businesses, but others may need to wait a day or two.

For instance, if you are a painting contractor, you won’t want to ask a customer for a review as soon as you leave the job site. Instead, you will want to let them live with their new paint for a few days to form an opinion.

On the other hand, if you run an HVAC company that provides emergency repairs, you will want to ask your customers for a review while their newly distributed cold air keeps them comfortable inside their homes.

Every business is different, so you must carefully consider the best time for sending a review request via SMS.

Tip #5: Avoid Incentives

One of the biggest mistakes that businesses make is incentivizing reviews. People will eventually catch on when you have bribed your customers to leave a review because such coerced reviews tend to be disingenuous.

You want your reviews to be as detailed and honest as possible, so don’t offer discounts or freebies when you request your reviews. Furthermore, incentives violate most platforms’ guidelines and can get your account banned.

Instead, simply let the customer know how much their review means to your business. Again, you’ll find that most consumers will be more than willing to submit a review of your business if you simply ask them.

Tip #6: Include CTA’s

Last but not least, you should include a Call to Action (CTA) in your text message request. Don’t assume that including a link will be enough to get your point across. A compelling call to action will make things clear for your customer.

A simple phrase like “leave us a review here,” “Find us on Google reviews,” or “Let us know how we’re doing” can really drive response rates and get more reviews for your business.

How To Get More Reviews

According to social proof statistics, 79% of consumers said they trust online reviews as much as personal references. But the importance of online reviews of your business doesn’t end at lead generation. They are essential tools for digital marketing as well.

Since so many consumers seek out online reviews, they have become one of search engines’ most important ranking factors. You need reviews of your business to gain leads and convert customers as well.

How To Automate SMS Review Requests

DataPins allows businesses to automate SMS review requests using the app. Customers will receive a review request with a link in their SMS inbox. In addition, DataPins will enable companies to connect reviews with pins, providing further social proof of a job well done.

Apr '22

25 Social Proof Statistics for 2024 (with/Marketing Examples)

Homeowners researching local plumbers, roofers, or other service providers are naturally drawn to those with many positive reviews and recommendations from other internet users.

This stems from a psychological phenomenon first coined in 1984 as social proof.

When I invested millions into developing my software tool, DataPins, my goal was to equip local contractors with the resources to generate and demonstrate social proof as part of their marketing campaigns.

I can say today that I’ve succeeded in that goal. Still, only a small percentage of contractors understand social proof and how it translates to marketing a local business.

With this in mind, I’ve compiled 25 social proof statistics that impact marketing in 2024.

Table of Contents

Social Proof Statistics

1) 72% of consumers will only purchase after reading a favorable review.

Source: Search Engine Watch

2) 93% of consumers complete a purchase after researching a service or product via mobile.

Source: Think With Google

3) On-site reviews or testimonials increase conversions by 34%.

Source: ImpactBND

4) 89% of consumers say they will likely use a business that responds to all reviews.

Source: BrightLocal

5) 57% of consumers will only use services with a minimum 4-star aggregate review rating.

Source: Hubspot

6) Nearly 87% of purchase decisions start with online research.

Source: ConversionXL

7) A typical consumer reads ten online reviews before purchasing.

Source: Hubspot

8) 200+ Schema pins increase impressions for a typical contractor website by 169.2%

Source: DataPins

9) Consistent social proof can increase revenue by 62% per customer.

Source: BigCommerce

10) 85% of consumers distrust reviews older than three months.

Source: BrightLocal

11) After reading its reviews, half of all consumers navigate to a company’s website.

Source: Hubspot

12) Consumers will spend 31% more on businesses with favorable reviews.

Source: Invesp

13) Customers trust reviews 12x more than descriptions or sales copy.

Source: Econsultancy

14) 66% of consumers say they are more likely to purchase after viewing a video testimonial.

Source: Wyzowl

15) Articles with relevant images receive 94% views.

Source: SproutWorth

16) Photos can increase content recollection by 65%.

Source: MGD Advertising

17) Nearly 50% of consumers find website trust badges reassuring regarding trust and security.

Source: Yieldify

18) Website images with human beings can increase conversion rates by 48%.

Source: VWO

19) 97% of consumers in the B2B space consider testimonials or peer recommendations the most reliable content type.

Source: Demand Gen Report via This Moment

20) Testimonials produce an 89% content effectiveness rating, the highest of any content marketing tactic.

Source: Social Fresh

21) 5-star aggregate review ratings for GMB listings increased CTR by 28%.

Source: Bright Local

22) A roofing company that installed DataPins on their website increased organic traffic by 660% and top 20 keywords by 118%.

Source: DataPins

23) A water heater repair company receives an average of 1,100 monthly clicks from Google organic search alone with DataPins.

Source: DataPins

24) Websites with multiple pages of pins averaged 80.9% more monthly Google clicks than websites with only a single pins page.

Source: DataPins

25) DataPins users that utilize automated review requests increase frequency by over 94%.

Source: DataPins

Social Proof Examples

Various things fall under social proof in a digital marketing context. The key is credibility and verification, whether it’s a customer review, an award badge, or a geotagged photo of your company providing services. DataPins focuses on social proof that users can verify with a single look.

Social Proof Marketing Examples (Infographic)

Customer Reviews

Most websites have a testimonials or reviews section. However, the feedback only qualifies as social proof if it comes from a verifiable source. For example, a screenshot of a customer review is not social proof because the web admin can manipulate the photo to serve an agenda.

Consider using a plugin like DataPins, which inserts a reviews slider onto your website. The slider plugin pulls Google and Facebook reviews via API so that users can see genuine reviews from top platforms and click them.

Award Badges

If you receive an award, the platform should provide a custom badge that you can upload to your website’s homepage using its HTML. In addition, the nominator should send you a transparent image file, usually in SVG format. Ask your web developer to insert the image onto your site.

Awards can come from various sources. However, the best social proof comes from reputable institutions within your industry or region. For example, a roofing company in Denver, CO, should showcase awards from roofing-related institutions or regional and local organizations.

GeoTagged Photos (Pins)

The SEO industry disagrees on the value of geotagged photos as a ranking factor. Our research found that geotagged photos of themselves provide marginal SEO value, if any. However, DataPins software combines geotagged photos with mini-maps, schema markup, and geo-coordinates.

We call this consolidated data a pin. The good news is that the software tool collects and inserts this data into one pin for each job you perform. The software does all the work; you only need the DataPins plugin. Pins increase local SEO rankings and boost conversion rates significantly.

Applying Social Proof to Your Marketing Campaign

You can benefit from the statistics above by demonstrating social proof on your business website. My software, DataPins, is available to contractors throughout the United States and has proven to generate favorable results for its users. You can contact me directly to discuss how DataPins impacts social proof.

Feb '22

#1 Google Maps SEO Guide (w/Ranking Factors + Local Tool)

Google Maps SEO can be confusing for local businesses since it’s based on a separate algorithm from Google’s organic search results. The Google Maps algorithm uses three primary ranking factors: proximity, relevance, and prominence. In the following guide, DataPins will outline Google Maps ranking factors and showcase a Local SEO tool that can increase your rankings, impressions, and click-through rate.

Table of Contents

Google Maps Search Engine Optimization Basics

You must take care of some basic things before you even have a chance to rank on Google Maps. For example, you must claim and verify your Google Business Profile so that Google acknowledges your business as legitimate and allows you to manage a live business listing on their platform. Let’s take a look at the Google Maps SEO basics below:

Google Business Profile

To rank on Google Maps, you need a Google Business Profile. You may know GBP by its former name (Google My Business). Setting up a Google Business Profile is easy and free if you have an actual office address.

You can verify your GBP through a postcard that Google mails to your listed address. Once verified, you can begin to optimize your listing to improve its ranking on Google Maps.

Google Business Profile optimization is a direct ranking factor for Google Maps. So the first thing you have to do is register your business on Google. Already have a listing? Great! Here are some tips to optimize it:

Get more Google reviews for your business
Upload high-quality images relevant to your business
Expand your listed service areas
Update contact information, location listing, and business hours
Describe your business in detail
Links to your company website

Google Reviews

The most tangible currency for Google Maps SEO is Google Reviews. You can generate Google Reviews using automated software like DataPins, which requests reviews from customers via text and email.

But, of course, you can also acquire reviews the old-fashion way by asking your customers in person. As a local business owner, you can train your technicians to request a review after completing their job.

The best strategy is to ask people in person and send automated requests. Applying both techniques simultaneously increases your chances of feedback by 147%. Here are some tips to generate reviews:

Use DataPins to send automated review requests
Ask customers in-person
Train technicians to ask customers after completing jobs
Add your Google Review link to your email signature
Add your Google Review link to your website’s header

Google Maps Ranking Factors

We mentioned the three Google Maps ranking factors: proximity, relevance, and prominence. Of course, within these three factors are sub-factors that require a more in-depth understanding of Local SEO mechanics. Nevertheless, focusing on these three primary ranking factors is the fastest way to improve search visibility on Google Maps in 2022.

Proximity

The proximity factor considers the distance between the searcher and your listed (or hidden) business address. As a local business, you can’t do much to influence proximity unless you’re willing to move your location specifically for SEO purposes.

In such cases, target the middle of a high-population city. Remember, Google Maps is literally an interactive map to accurately approximate your businesses’ distance to their online searchers. People in San Jose, CA, will see results within the corresponding map radius.

Relevance

The relevance factor considers your business’s relevance to the user’s search. For example, if you are a pool cleaner in Seattle, WA, the name of your company, domain name, and business type all influence relevance.

In this example, a company named Joe’s Pool Cleaning Services with a domain name joespoolcleaning.com and a business type of pool cleaning service will meet every relevant factor that Google considers.

Prominence

Google reviews most directly impact the prominence ranking factor. However, other factors also contribute to a business’s prominence. For example, Google considers offline factors like brand recognition.

In addition to offline (real-world) factors, Google also looks at your reputation from across the web. For example, do a lot of people search for your brand name in general? Is your website visited regularly? These all contribute.

Google Maps SEO Tips for 2022

It’s easy to explain the three primary Google Maps ranking factors and ignore the subtle nuances that impact them. However, at DataPins, we believe in going the extra mile. Since most businesses already know about the three ranking factors, it’s important to dive deeper into the sub-factors that can increase your position in the Google Map 3-Pack for relevant local searches. Check out some Google Maps SEO tips below:

Target Local Intent

Local intent searches are among the most important driving forces behind Google Maps SEO. So what are local intent searches? A local intent search is any search engine query specifying a specific geographic location.

For example, “bakery in Barstow,” “mechanic on St. Cloud,” or “computer repair near me.”

You have probably searched with local intent. Local intent means looking for a business, service, or anything in a specific area. So why is local intent so important? It’s crucial because people doing searches with local intent are usually ready to purchase.

They know what they want and are ready to find it and pay for it. It’s also important because 46% of queries entered into the Google search engine have local intent. That’s nearly half of the billions of people using Google every day.

Build Google Maps Backlinks

Building links to your company website or Google Business Profile can improve ranking. In general, you should start with local business directories. Maybe a local chamber of commerce, union, or professional network would be willing to link to your business’s site on theirs.

You can also register on the Better Business Bureau and on social media sites like Facebook. You can also network with businesses that complement yours but don’t compete with them. For example, reach out to other companies like real estate agencies, renovation contractors, and property management companies if you own a window washing company.

Ask if you can provide a guest post that provides value to their readers while inserting a link back to your website. Another option is sponsoring local community events, sports teams, and other regional endeavors.

Generate Consistent Reviews

We noted Google Reviews as an essential element of SEO for Google Maps. However, getting one or two reviews is not enough. The highest-ranking profiles generate a consistent stream of customer reviews.

The more reviews you have, the better. They don’t all have to be golden, either. Don’t worry about a few bad reviews if you maintain an aggregate rating between 4.2 and 4.5 stars.

Anything higher seems suspicious, and anything lower makes your business look bad. The important thing is volume, so make sure you often ask for reviews, not just on Google but elsewhere.

The #1 Google Maps SEO Tool

Various factors contribute to Google Maps SEO, but one tool simultaneously solves all of your problems. DataPins is a Google Maps SEO tool that provides an all-in-one solution for small businesses across the country.

DataPins serves as both a Local SEO tool and a Reputation Management platform. For Local SEO, DataPins produces schema pins each time a technician completes a job and tags it with the DataPins web app.

Each tagged job is automatically published on your corresponding website page, whether location or service. As a result, pins validate your service areas and services to Google.

After connecting your website to your Google Business Profile, you distribute these validations to your GBP and improve your rankings. Furthermore, you can connect reviews to pins for more social proof.

Learn more about DataPins today to improve Local SEO on Google Maps.

Oct '21

The (2024) Guide to Multi-Location Website Design (w/Insights)

Multi Location Website Design Blog Cover With Post Title

Multi-location website design presents various hurdles that require unique solutions. Businesses with multiple office locations often face extraneous challenges with their website, SEO, and digital marketing campaigns.

As a result, DataPins produced a guide to help you maximize your efforts.

Key Takeaway

Brand consistency and content uniqueness are the foundational principles of a successful multi-location website in 2024.

As a business owner, you already know that scaling comes with serious challenges.

Not least of these challenges is coming up with an excellent multi-location website design. In the following guide, DataPins arms you with vital information to create a fantastic multiple-location website.

You have to keep in mind certain aspects of your business to design an excellent multi-location website. You also have to keep your business goals at the forefront of your mind.

So read along as we break down some of the most essential principles for multi-location website design.

Components of Multi-Location Web Design

When developing a multi-location website, it is critical to maintain a hyper-local approach. Several tenants of local SEO apply more significantly to multi-location businesses.

Using these strategies virtually guarantees more tremendous success than otherwise possible.

Multi-Location Statistic Inographic Showing 50% of SMBs Have Multiple Locations

Location Pages

You need a location page for each city you service and each of your office addresses. Frequently, these two things overlap, and you can put your corresponding office address on the appropriate city page.

Still, you may also service nearby cities where you don’t have an office. In these cases, you still need to publish location pages to get business from those consumers.

For example, if your office is in Orlando, FL, you can create an individual city page for Altamonte Springs, FL, and assign pins to the location.

Be careful when publishing hundreds of city pages with similar content, as it may trigger an algorithmic filter that dilutes your website’s overall rankings.

Instead, the best strategy is to make each page as unique as possible.

DataPins

You might wonder how to diversify your location pages to satisfy search engines and their users. The answer is DataPins: a local SEO tool for contractors.

DataPins allows contractors to drop pins at each job they perform and automatically publish them to the corresponding location page. The tool also sends review requests through email and text messages.

You’ll find that DataPins automates unique content by making sure only location-specific content appears on the appropriate pages.

The tool serves as a curator of user-generated content, social proof, and reputation.

Google Business Profile

While your Google Business Profile listing is separate from your website, they are connected to your online marketing strategy. The highest-ranking business listings have a complete website with content for each location.

Each office address should have its own Google Business Profile listing, which you can verify via postcard. You should connect your main website to each one of your listings in the GBP website tab.

Include images of offices, information on which areas you service, operation hours, and services offered.

It is also essential to keep this information accurate and updated. NAP (Name, Address, and Phone Number) information must remain consistent between your multi-location website and your Google Business Profile.

Having inaccurate or inconsistent NAP info hurts your rankings. Also, Google prefers to display recently updated content when it’s available, so update your Google My Business listing often.

Multi-Location Website Principles

Aside from hyper-local strategies, your website must follow general best practices to increase conversions and appeal to visitors.

As you know, SEO is influenced by the user behavior on your website. Make an extra effort to present an ideal user experience to your target consumers.

Brand Consistency

Multi-location website design requires a strong brand. Focus on consistent logos, color schemes, and slogans for every page on your website, even different location pages.

The customer wants to feel that some effort went into the page about their location, like the homepage. In other words, copying and pasting text and images from one location page to another is never a good idea.

Instead, the content should be personalized but still brand-consistent.

One way to achieve this personalization is by including background images of local landmarks. You can also have a personalized quote from the regional office manager or a message to the specific community in question.

Navigation

A good multi-location website design makes it easy for consumers to navigate the area pages quickly and easily.

However, consider that not all of your visitors will be directed to the specific area page. Instead, organic traffic will land on your home page or a blog post.

For this reason, developing an overview page is a good idea. Think of an overview page like a transit hub where multiple people can get to where they need to go via a central location.

Therefore, your overview page should have clear and prominent tabs for each area you serve.

Consider embedding a map that displays all of your service locations. Include an option to click on each one and be directed to the corresponding page.

URLs

With your different location pages, you have a unique and golden opportunity to make the user experience smooth for your visitors and to optimize for local SEO. Each location-specific page should have unique URLs containing the name of the city they correspond to.

Make the URL format as consistent as possible, too. This will make it easier for search engines to index your pages accurately on relevant searches.

For instance, a remodeling contractor in Miami and Key West should have clean URLs like “/key-west” at the end instead of “/contractor-key-west.”

Content

Content for each of your location pages must be relevant and accurate. For example, one of your locations in Pagosa Springs may be running a promotion that your other locations aren’t.

So you have to ensure that the promotional content is only present on the relevant area page.

Relevant content also extends to the unique location content that you publish on each page. For example, community events, messages, images, and services should be tailored to the appropriate location page.

This will not only enhance the user experience for your website; it’s also good for SEO. Besides, no one likes finding out that a promotion they are excited about isn’t actually being offered in their area.

Final Thoughts on Multi-Location Business Websites

Multi-location business websites present challenges that complicate the digital marketing campaign process. However, with the right tools, companies can optimize their multi-location website for excellent results.

Using an experienced website designer, the DataPins tool, and a hyper-local content marketing strategy, your business website can reach all of your target customers throughout various towns and cities.

Sep '21

GPS Photo Tags for GMB vs. Schema Pins (Myth vs. Reality)

GPS Photo Tags Google My Business (Blog Cover)

Many SEO experts have examined the myth of GPS photo tags influencing Google Maps rankings. Here’s the reality: it doesn’t work. However, don’t confuse GPS photo tags with other kinds of SEO techniques, such as schema markup — which can, in fact, influence rankings.

Local businesses have been trying to gain an edge since SEO’s inception, and many myths, legends, and fairytales have come along for the ride.

Unfortunately, since Google doesn’t publicly release its algorithm, the industry has a history of guessing games, many of which lead people down a rabbit hole that wastes their time and resources.

What is Image Geo-Tagging?

Geo-tagging, also referred to as GPS photo tags, is the insertion of location information into the file data of any given image. The actual tags are the location information of the photo.

For instance, one might geotag a photo by inputting latitude, longitude, and altitude information into the EXIF data of a given image.

You can then add the geotagged photo to your Google Business Profile to feed Google more information about the picture and the physical location.

SEO Alternatives To Geo-Tagging

While geotags don’t work for SEO, as Google strips the EXIF data from the image as soon as it’s uploaded, another SEO technique influences rankings.

Using schema markup for location-specific information can influence rankings.

Tools like DataPins automate this process by applying schema markup to “pins” that appear on your website.

What are Schema Pins?

Schema pins are pieces of unique map data, in schema form, generated by the DataPins app.

Just like with GPS photo tags, the basic principle is to create unique, location-oriented content for your website – or, in the case of the emphasis of today’s post, your Google My Business page.

The difference is that Schema Pins influence rankings.

With the DataPins app, you can take a picture of the worksite, enter the location information, and have unique image and map content published to the relevant sections of your Google My Business page.

Schema pins display pins on the map where the service took place. Unfortunately, some confusion remains regarding schema pins and their relationship to geotags (none).

However, misinformation is floating around on YouTube and other forums, contributing to the bewilderment surrounding this topic.

Schema pins differ from “geo-tagging” by injecting schema markup for specific geo-coordinates.

GPS Photo Tagging Study

In one study conducted over one month, GPS photo tagging had a negligible effect on search engine rankings.

The study targeted 16 different keywords and involved 18 unique posts, each with its own geotagged image.

The study concluded that six keywords dropped in rankings (2 were actually displaced to the 51st position or lower), nine didn’t change at all, and only three improved rankings (likely unrelated).

Does Geotagging Photos Influence Ranking?

Geotagging photos does not influence ranking.

GPS photo tags for Google Business Profile aren’t effective. They don’t work at all.

Schema Pins Study

Schema Pins helped a local plumbing company reach an organic search discovery rate between 84% and 87%.

Customer reviews for the company also tripled across multiple platforms. Lastly, after a year of use, Schema Pins continually added fresh content to Molberg Plumbing LLC’s Google My Business page.

While some still insist that GPS photo tags for Google My Business can help increase online exposure, there is no doubt that Schema Pins work.

Do Schema Pins Influence Rankings?

Yes, schema pins influence search rankings by adding relevant content to a business website and increasing the frequency of customer reviews, both of which are confirmed ranking factors.

With the DataPins app, once a pin is added, a text is automatically sent to the customer with a link to a page to leave a review.

This automated review request process was shown in the same study mentioned in the previous section to be more effective than other methods for getting customer reviews.

Get Started with DataPins

DataPins is all about sustainability and scalability. It can help expand your business by increasing its digital footprint.

The app is very user-friendly and automates many critical digital marketing processes. To learn more or get started with DataPins, give us a call or shoot us a message.

May '20

SEO for Multiple Cities: The Ultimate (2024) DataPins Guide

SEO for multiple cities has always been one of the most frustrating components of an online marketing strategy. Local businesses have an office address in one zip code and have trouble ranking for nearby cities that they regularly service.

Considering the amount of work these businesses do in the nearby areas, it doesn’t seem fair.

This frustration was the impetus for creating DataPins, a Local SEO tool that helps contractors rank in multiple cities throughout their service areas.

DataPins wraps schema check-ins, geo-coordinates, original images, and captions into a “pin” that gets published to the most relevant local landing pages.

Since the inception of SEO, small businesses have consistently faced the problem of ranking for keywords in multiple cities. This is especially challenging to Service Area Businesses (SABs), which often serve a wide range of areas and communities.

Although their office address (or home office) may be located in a small suburb, they can travel 10 minutes to reach consumers in a much larger metro area. But how are these consumers going to find them?

Here’s what we know about ranking for multiple zip codes in 2024:

Google Maps Results Favor Address Proximity

Many local SEO experts have demonstrated that Google Map Pack rankings favor the local listing whenever possible. The location data is based on the verified address of your Google Business Profile.

If you are a roofer whose business listing is set in Plano, TX, you will have trouble showing up for terms like dallas roofer, or roofer near me when the searcher’s device is pinged within a Dallas zip code.

See an example below:

Plano roofing companies will have a very difficult time ranking for queries containing “Dallas.”

Organic Rankings are Based on Other Factors

Generally, local SEO city landing pages will only rank if A) they are endorsed through links from other relevant entities within that community or B) they have original content (like user-generated reviews and pins) that validate a business’s credibility within a specific geographic radius.

With DataPins’ technology, reviews and pins are added to location pages (automatically), which allows the page to rank in a city that your business has serviced but is not actually located in. See an example:

It’s easier to rank outside of your address city on traditional organic results (with city pages)

Google Business Profile Service Area Challenges

Google Business Profile is an essential tool for marketing your business. It makes it easier for people who need your services to find you. But what if you are a service area business?

Ranking outside your main zip code is notoriously difficult because Google prioritizes local searches based on which businesses have a physical address within the specified area.

And, the further you venture out from your physical address, the more competition there is. You may only have ten or so competing businesses within your own zip code, but that number balloons to dozens the further you go out.

Google is always trying to enhance its user experience, and location specification is a big part of that. That’s why it has been so difficult for service area businesses to get ranked in the areas that they serve.

The following guide examines the challenges related to Google Business Profile service area ranking. We will also discuss some ways you can overcome those challenges and be seen by more people outside the city where your business is physically located

Google Business Profile Areas Served

Google Business Profile used to have a feature that allowed businesses to set their physical location and then an “areas served” radius that surrounded that centralized location.

It was a nice and convenient feature, to be sure. But people started abusing it. Businesses were frequently exaggerating their service area radius just to show up in more searches even though they didn’t really work in those areas.

So naturally, as part of Google’s ceaseless quest to make their users happy, they struck this feature down. Now, it isn’t so easy to rank using the Google Business Profile service area feature, as many businesses have found out. But as Google shut one big door, they opened a window at the same time.

Service Area Businesses (SABs)

Service area businesses were thrilled when Google unveiled its new service area features. While it’s not as easy as expanding your area’s served radius on a map, it increases the quality of search results, which, in the end, is better for your business.

There is now a Google Business Profile wizard that helps you specify all of your unique areas served. And while it can be a bit tedious (especially if you operate in a lot of cities), it is really very simple.

There is now a “Where do you Serve Your Customers” section of the Google Business Profile setup process.

You can list as many areas by name as you want in this section. The city names you enter will then appear under the Overview section of your Google Business Profile.

Zip Code SEO Rank

Business owners operating in large cities like Los Angeles and Dallas may encounter another challenge with their Google Business Profile service area. Cities like these are massive and have multiple zip codes within their specific areas and neighborhoods.

The problem is that these smaller areas are still covered under city names like Los Angeles and Dallas. So, business owners in these types of areas haven’t been able to let their customers know that they serve their specific area until recently.

In addition to including city names, Google has made it easier for businesses in large metropolitan areas to be found by searchers. You can now enter specific zip codes for areas that may not have their own specific name.

Adding New Service Areas to GMB

Another way Google has made it easier for businesses to manage their Google Business Profile service area is by not locking them into one area after they set up their profiles.

You can go into your Google Business Profile dashboard and change the Storefront Address and Service Area sections as needed.

This is a great feature for growing businesses and frequently adding new cities to their service coverage area.

Projecting Future Google Business Profile Updates

The challenge of ranking outside one’s own zip code is just one in a series of many more. As Google endlessly finds ways to improve its service, there will surely be more changes to frustrate business owners and DIY marketers alike.

It’s important to understand these challenges as they arise so that you can find ways to overcome them.

Here at DataPins, we must stay abreast of all such changes in ranking criteria and other marketing trends. Our software was designed to address these service area challenges specifically.

Can You Have A Google Listing With No Address?

So, can you be listed on Google Business Profile with no physical address? The simple answer is no. You cannot set up and verify your Google Business Profile with no physical address given. This is because a physical address is an important part of the Google Business Profile verification process.

To verify you as a real business, Google uses the physical address you give to send out a verification number. Once you confirm this verification number with Google, your listing will be verified.

So the simple answer is no, but once you verify your address through Google, you can mark your listing as a Service Area Business (SAB), which allows you to hide the verified address from the public.

You must verify your physical location with Google, but you can then hide it from the public

You Can Still Use Google Business Profile

Using the examples mentioned earlier in this post, you may run an online business or operate your business out of your home.

Using Google Business Profile is critical for service area businesses because it lets your customers know that you operate in their area.

Yes, you do have to give some physical address for Google to verify your business, but the good thing about the verification process is that the address you give doesn’t have to be a storefront address.

In other words, you can give Google your home address if your business doesn’t have its own physical address.

But what if you don’t want to give out your home address?

Hiding your GMB Address

The process of listing your home address on Google Business Profile but keeping it invisible to the public is actually very easy:

Navigate to the dashboard of your Google Business Profile
In the top right-hand corner, click the button that reads “Manage Now.”
Provide the business name information it asks for during the prompts
Once you have filled out your business name information, you will be prompted to list an address for your business.
List your home address or the residential address you wish to use
Check the “I deliver goods and services to my customers” box
Then, check the “Hide my address (it’s not a store) box
Complete the setup process as normal

See? We told you it was easy. Now, your business can be verified, and your home address won’t be available for the public to see.

Service Areas

Now that you know how to set up your Google Business Profile listing without using a business address, it’s time to list the areas that you serve. Listing service areas on GBP is absolutely crucial for service area businesses.

When people click on your Google Business Profile, they will see whether or not you operate in their area under the overview section. In fact, 97% of people will use online resources like Google Business Profile to research local businesses.

So, you simply cannot afford to omit this step. Luckily, the process is pretty easy, if not a bit tedious.

Google My Business now allows you to enter as many individual locations as you want when you set up your listing. In the setup wizard, you will see a section titled “Where do you serve your customers?”

In the field they provide, you can type in the names of the cities that you service. You can also enter zip codes if you want/have to be really specific.

Need More Answers?

We hope you have found our post helpful. Always remember that you don’t have to be pigeonholed or hindered in any way if your business does not have a storefront address. Arm yourself with the answers and resources you need to thrive.

DataPins software is designed to improve SEO for multiple cities and help SABs rank in multiple zip codes throughout their service areas.