Google Business 101: The 3 Main Types Of Businesses
2022 Update: Google My Business is now known as the Google Business Profile. With the name change comes some value-added upgrades. Be sure to subscribe to Bigger Better Biz on YouTube to learn how you can improve your chances of showing up on Google Search and Maps.
Can your business be found online?
Before getting started on Google Business it is important to know what kind of business you have. This may seem obvious but it is an important distinction and will dictate what kind of tools you get to create your listing. This doesn’t mean whether you are an Italian restaurant or a shoe store, this means what main overall operational category does your business fit inside.
Right now Google Business supports three different types of businesses: storefront businesses, service-area businesses and hybrid businesses. But wait, what does that all mean?! Which one is my business? It’s actually quite simple (and you can always change it later).
Allow me to break it down for you…
Storefront Businesses
Storefronts are the most common type of business. These businesses exist with a physical location where business is conducted. To qualify as a storefront business you have to have a physical location that is staffed during business hours where business is conducted exclusively. Examples of this kind of business include retail stores, supermarkets, gyms, salons, restaurants and gas stations. Basically any kind of physical shop where you purchase an item or service on-site and then leave is a storefront business.
As a storefront business the most important things you want to rank for are relevance and location. Since your business is very dependent on customers being in physical proximity to it you want to make sure the customers you are reaching are nearby.
Service-Area Businesses
Service-area businesses are any kind of business that does not conduct business in one physical location but instead services, you guessed it - a service area.. This can include plumbers, contractors, marketing consultants, delivery-only restaurants and more.
These businesses may have a home office but many are run out of people’s homes. If you don’t want someone showing up at your home this is the kind of situation in which you will want to hide your physical address in Google Business. Instead of showing up in your specific location your business will show up in the selected service area. You can choose up to 20 services areas per Google My Business profile. Selecting the locations where you can provide services is important if you want to attract customers in that area.
Hybrid Businesses
The final kind of business is a hybrid of the previous two. These businesses exist and operate in a physical location as well as provide services to a specified area. An example of this is a business that sells outdoor furniture and structures in a store but also provides design and installation services at customer’s homes. Another example is a restaurant that has in-house dining but also provides delivery.
If you have a hybrid business you will want to have both your address and service area specified on your Google Business Profile, this way you show up when people are doing location searches or looking for services in the area. If you provide delivery you should also note that on your profile as well! You want to make sure that it is clear you offer both kinds of services so people can know that it’s okay to call or drop in for an appointment.
Final Thoughts
Figuring out what kind of business is crucial in setting up an effective Google Business Profile. Each selection comes with it’s own features that can help you promote your business and get it found online. But don’t fret if you don’t know! These features can always be changed later if you change the nature of your business or realize you selected the wrong type.