Did anyone notice that you can specify a service area in your Google Places Listing? Google Maps began rolling out this feature in late March with little publicity. This is quite a feature for businesses that want to publicize the different locations they serve; a great feature for businesses that will come to a home or for businesses that are actually based out of a home. Service areas listings give access to areas on the map where you may not have a physical address. For example, your business address may be in Tempe, Arizona, but in reality you can service any location within the Phoenix metro area.
Anyone can change their business service area by logging into their Google Places account and editing your business listing. Look for the section labeled “Service Areas and Location Settings”. Below we are using an example from a WebShare client that sells custom doors and windows in the Orange County area. As you can see, you can choose between specifying a radial distance from your location or simply listing the locations you want to show that you serve. If you have multiple business locations, be sure to edit all of them.
Distance from one location view:
List of areas served view:
Below you can see an example of what a listing will look like in Google Maps. This client has four showroom locations but obviously they install door and windows anywhere within Orange County. Now customers can clearly see what areas Renaissance services if they are shopping for a door and window contractor.
Dave Reichenbacher
DR directs program management and operations at WebShare. He also is one of our Seminars for Success instructors and has an affinity toward local search marketing. You can find out more about Dave here.
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This is a GREAT feature! I would love to be able to be more specific about the areas of Sheffield my hypnotherapy practice covers but it seems that this feature has not made it to the UK yet. Do you have any idea when Google plans to roll it out?
Richard,
Thanks for reading. The service area feature IS available to UK businesses. There are numerous businesses in the UK utilizing it now as you can see by search for other business’s Google Places listings. You should be able to enable it for your business by editing your listing in your Google Places account. You will need to select “Yes, this business serves customers at their locations” for the map to appear. Hope that helps!