Google My Business removes addresses from some service-area businesses. This is a big step to improving Google My Business for service-area pet businesses like pet sitters and dog walkers. You are no longer able to set your business service area radius. If your Google My Business is setup with a service radius, you will need to login to your account and specify your service area by region, town, city, or zip code.
Google has made other changes that will effect service-area businesses. It seems like the address field is now optional but it isn’t clear if you need to add an address to get the verification postcard. You are now able to update or edit your address and services area in different fields which helps clean up backend of Google My Business.
Some service-area businesses no longer have their address showing in their local 3-pack listing. This seems to be happening even when the company didn’t choose to hide their address publicly.
Don’t Forget to Add Your Services
Google My Business has made many other changes over the last few months. Go back once a month to make sure you are up-to-date! By adding your services to GMB, you are helping Google understand your business. This paired with service-area updates will help you climb into the local 3-pack, especially if your competitors aren’t staying updated!
Don’t Neglect Google My Business
If you want potential customers to be able to find you in Google Search, you can not ignore Google My Business. Add a Google My Business check-up to your monthly to-do list so you don’t fall behind. Not sure if your listing in 100% complete? check it out here.
Google is Ever Evolving!
It seems with the end of Google Plus comes significant updates to Google My Business. Stay on top of your Google My Business listing and make the necessary updates to your service area settings if you use radius. If you can make these changes before your competitors realize it, it could really help move ahead.
Now we sit back and eagerly await more changes and updates!
Erika Godwin is the President of Barketing Solutions and the Co-Founder and CMO of ProPet Software, an industry-leading kennel management software. Erika has over 8 years of experience with WordPress and graduated from Elmira College in 2009 with a BS, Business Administration- Marketing and Management.
