Can I Use a Virtual Office for Google My Business?

Posted on 24/09/2024

A Google My Business listing can improve your company’s search visibility, support an SEO strategy, and increase consumer trust, which is why you shouldn’t overlook it.

However, if you are running a business remotely and don’t have a physical office space or working space, you might wonder if you are eligible for a business profile.

Also, you might be asking yourself if you can use a virtual office for Google My Business. Keep reading to find out more.

What is a Virtual Office?

A virtual office will provide your company with a physical mailing address, which could be in a prestigious location that will impress customers/clients, investors, and associates.

Also, many virtual offices can provide various services, such as call patching, fax-to-email, phone answering, hot desking, and meeting and conference room hire.

As a result, it allows a business owner to slash their operational overheads while boosting their company’s professionalism and productivity levels each day.

In addition to using it as a business address, some virtual offices can be used as a registered office address to receive statutory mail from Companies House, HMRC, and other governing bodies for a separate fee.

Can I Add a Virtual Office to a Google My Business Account?

You can use a virtual office on a Google My Business account if it adheres to specific requirements, such as having clear signage.

As stated on Google, “Business can’t list a “virtual” office unless that office is staffed during business hours.”

As long as a virtual office has someone at the physical location during business hours, you could add the address to your Google My Business account.

Why Use a Virtual Office Over a Home Address?

Image matters in business. To prove you run a legitimate, successful business, avoid using your home address and use a virtual office on a Google My Business listing.

A prestigious address will impress a client, supplier, or investor when looking up your business location in the search engine, which could improve your business’s reputation and financial future.

You can choose from impressive virtual offices in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Liverpool, and more. 

For instance, one of the virtual offices in Mayfair will improve trust in your business and might encourage customers to visit your website or pick up the phone to give you a call.

Plus, you won’t need to worry about people turning up at your home at any hour of the day, allowing you to sleep peacefully in your bed each night.

Also, you can use the address to establish a stronger presence in a specific city or country, as it could help you target consumers in a specific location.

Can Google Penalise Me for Using a Virtual Office?

If you adhere to Google My Business’s strict rules, such as choosing an address with clear signage and that is staffed during business hours, you are unlikely to be penalised for using a virtual office on your account.

However, if you violate its strict guidelines, Google could become skeptical of your chosen address, which may result in the search engine suspending the listing. 

As a result, you may need to provide proof that your business will follow its guidelines to the letter, such as submitting photos, videos, documents, or all of the above.

Can I List My Business Without an Address?

If you run a remote or service-based business, you might be happy to learn you don’t need to display an address on your Google My Business listing.

Instead, you can add an address to your account but hide it, ensuring it doesn’t appear to customers when they look up your brand online.

However, Google will require an address, and a virtual office might be a great option. It will allow you to provide an address and you can hide it, ensuring people never show up to the physical office.

A virtual office can provide your business with many perks beyond a business address, too. For example, you could benefit from phone answering, fax to email, mail handling, and call patching services.

Plus, you can hire a meeting, conference, or video conference room for an extra fee, allowing you to meet with employees or clients in a professional setting when needed.

What are the Benefits of a Google My Business Listing?

A Google My Business listing will provide your company with many benefits. In addition to being free, the listing will have priority on the first page of local search, helping to boost your business’s visibility in the search engine.

Also, it can establish instant trust in customers, as they can view helpful and correct information about your business, which could convince them to buy your products and services.

Not to mention, it can support your business’s SEO strategy, which can improve your brand awareness, web traffic, and online engagement.

What Documents Will I Need for a Virtual Office Address?

By law, you must pass a verification process of yourself and your business before you can use a virtual office business address, its facilities, and services.

You must provide us with your:

·         Contact information

·         Photo ID

·         Proof of residency

·         Proof of trading address

·         Proof of forwarding address

·         Certificate of Incorporation

Only the director(s) of the business or an individual with significant control of it can access our virtual office services. If the person paying for the services differs, they will need to provide additional documentation.

Conclusion

A Google My Business listing can improve your business’s trust, credibility, and online visibility, so it makes sense you will want to secure a listing sooner rather than later.

Yet, you might be reluctant to display your home address, fearing it could impact your image, professionalism, or personal safety.

If so, you can use a virtual office on a Google My Business listing as long as it adheres to the search engine’s strict rules, such as clear signage and staffed during business hours.

If you have any questions about our virtual offices, please don’t hesitate to call our friendly team on 0207 692 0608.

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