Is this business considered a SAB to Google?
-
Hi All,
We have a client who designs and installs custom closets, garage systems, wall beds, home offices, etc. They have a showroom that displays all this for their potential customers to visit.
I have hidden the address for this business but the client has an idea that, since they have this showroom that customers can go to, they should not be considered a SAB.
My issue is with this part of Google's quality guidelines
"If you don't conduct face-to-face business at your location, you must select "Yes, this business serves customers at their locations""
This client does occasionally conduct face-to-face business at the location BUT they serve the customers at their locations.
Opinions and suggestions greatly appreciated!
-
You are very welcome, Amber. I think you've made the right decision!
-
Hi Miriam,
Appreciate your feedback on this. Your reasoning is exactly why I chose to hide the address in the first place but, after the client questioned my decision more than once, I started to wonder if I was almost being too strict.
That response was the reassurance I needed to keep it hidden. Well, that AND avoiding a potentially endless dialogue with Google!
Thanks!
-
Hi Amber,
This is one of those grey area businesses. I can understand why you'd want feedback on this, for sure. I think the answer lies in this statement from you,
This client does occasionally conduct face-to-face business at the location
(emphasis mine)
Given that the bulk of the business model is go-to-client, your client will be safer hiding their address. Now, should they choose not to do so, and should a penalty occur down the road, they could potentially argue with Google staff that the business has a showroom and good reason to have their address shown and you might be able to win on that, but, if you'd prefer to play it safer, then hiding the address is definitely the easiest route for this client.
So, this isn't a totally clear scenario. You could choose to go either way with this client, realizing that one route may lead to a penalty that would then require a potentially endless dialogue with Google, whereas the other route will likely be problem-free. In my opinion, different Local SEOs I know might handle this situation in different ways, so you'll have to make a gut-feeling decision on what you, as the Local SEO on this project, feel is the smartest route for your particular client, weighing all potential outcomes of the 2 choices.
-
If your client serves his customers at their locations it is a SAB. No-brainer is you ask me.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
How do I improve positioning in Google Images?
Looking around in Webmaster tools today and I noticed we have hundreds of thousands of impressions in Google Images, but a very low CTR. I understand normal SEO, but what about increasing rank in Google Images? It is hard to get links straight to an image, and we already use proper alt tags. Any other ideas?
Image & Video Optimization | | EcommerceSite0 -
Google Places Bulk Uploader
Hi we have 15 stores we want to transfer over to our main google places account. We can only claim them with google places bulk uploader. So from what i have read, i have to add each store to the spreadsheet then request bulk upload. Since these google places listings already exist, will the listings i create (via the spreadsheet) simply merge with the old ones? Or could there be a chance of the creation of duplicate listings (how can you avoid this). And is it necessary to add latitude and longitude points (because you don't have to add them)? The goal is to add the old listings into a our Google Places account, and can only use the bulk uploader. Thanks,
Image & Video Optimization | | Mattcarter08
George0 -
Business listings - scope and time commitment
Hi guys It is my understanding that for a successful local search campaign, you need accurate listings in, Axiom, Localeze and Infogroup (as well as Google, Bing and Yahoo of course). My company has 70 locations. Does anyone have any idea what the time commitment would be of this? And is it free to add these listings to these three places (went to their sites but still confused). Trying to determine if this is within my team's bandwidth and/or whether it's better to go through a reasonably-priced, trusted local listings service. Thanks!
Image & Video Optimization | | SSFCU0 -
Trying to Merge Google + Local and Google Business Page _ How to?
Hi I have been reading so many posts about merging Google Plus + (Places) accounts and the new Google + Business Pages. I am working with a business who has a verified account in both. How ( and in fact should we try and merge). The old Places page has a review the newly create Business Page does not but is better optimized. Any help would be gratefully received as my head is spinning/ PS based in New Zealand
Image & Video Optimization | | AllieMc0 -
What to do if your categories are missing from Google Places/Plus page?
A client's Google Places/Plus page used to show four or five categories. Now, Google only shows one category. When I go inside their edit page, all of the categories are still listed. Is this a temporary occurrence? Does anyone have a similar experience or advice on this?None of the competitors seem to have the same issue. Ever since the Google plus integration, it's been impossible to see any changes updated.
Image & Video Optimization | | micasalucasa0 -
New Google Personal Results
Hi, I spotted a new Google Personal Results link in Google today. It doesnt seem to be giving me results from people within my circles, more related to the industry i'm in. Screen grabs here: http://seo-me.com/google-personal-results/ Anyone know much about where these results are pulled from? Or what the relationship is?
Image & Video Optimization | | seoteam-1262910 -
How far away does your Google Local Listing Show up - and how to improve.
How does google decide if a listing from one city shows up in another? When I do a search for a lawyer in my city my competition from another town shows up - but I don't show up when I search their town. Only 3 listings show up for both searches - so it's not necessarily a rank thing. Any ideas on improving the distance your listings show up for? Thanks!
Image & Video Optimization | | musillawfirm0 -
Google Places & Maps
Hi I'm preparing a confernce in France to explain Google Places & Maps to an audience interested in promoting local businesses but mainly hotels and other tourism related. As you know, searches such as Hotel + City are giving a lot of visibility to Google Places results. Being in the top results is as important if not more important than organic ranking. I'm going to be looking into the new presentation of Google Places results in the SERPs and maybe underlining a difference in results between Places and Maps which I've just recently spotted. Can anyone recommend some good ressources online to explain the changes that came about with Google Places and ranking factors I should be talking about ? If you have a pet theory on what triggers the different presentation of Places results in the main SERPS or what factors make one local business rank better than another in Google Places then please discuss below too 😉 Ah ! Almost forgot, any feedback on Google Boost use also interesting for us ; although it isn't in France yet Thanks Neil
Image & Video Optimization | | NeilInFrance0