How To Create a Service Area Business Listing on Google My Business
Learn how to set up and optimize your Service Area Business on Google My Business. Follow this step-by-step guide to boost visibility, attract local customers, and grow your business online.
How to Set Up a Service Area Business on Google Business Profile
If your business doesn’t have a physical storefront but offers services in specific areas, creating a Service Area Business (SAB) profile on Google Business Profile is crucial. It ensures potential customers in your service area can find and connect with you. Here's a simple guide to help you set up your profile and make it shine.
Service Area Business on Google Business Profile Walkthrough
Here’s a step by step breakdown with screenshots of how to create a Service Area Business on Google Business Profile:
Step 1: Business Name
Use your official business name as it appears on all your branding and legal documents. Don’t try to stuff it with keywords; Google might penalize you for that.
Moreover, try to match your GBP business name with your legal business name as far as possible. You can leave out the “LLC” and other legal name extensions. For example “John’s Construction LLC” would be “John’s Construction Services” etc.
Here, we’re creating a landscaping service so we choose the business name as “DB Landscaping Services”
Step 2: Choose Your Business Category
Pick the category that best describes what your business does. This helps Google match your business with the right customers searching for services like yours.
Do note that business categories on Google Business Profile consist of a primary category followed by additional categories. You should choose a primary category that is deeply connected with the services you offer and additional categories as secondary services.
Here since we’re creating a landscaping service, we can choose the primary category as “Landscaper” and additional categories as “Gardener”, “Lawn care service” etc.
However, do note that it is better to choose a niche category that is very directly related to your service. As an example, notice how this business has chosen “Landscape design” as their category because their business services are more directly related to Landscape designing (Notice how the business name is “Water and Earth Landscape Design”)
Step 3: Location
If your business doesn’t have a physical storefront, choose “No” when asked if your business has a location customers can visit. This allows you to set up your business as a Service Area Business (SAB), meaning you’ll define the areas where you offer services rather than a single address.
An important note here - If you do have a “Hybrid” business where you have a physical address but you also service customers in other areas, you can choose “Yes” here and also list the Service Area(s) in the next step.
Step 4: Define Your Service Area(s)
Enter the locations where your business offers services. Google lets you list up to 20 different service areas, so focus on the regions where most of your customers are located. This step is crucial for helping customers in those areas find you.
It is important to note that according to Google - “The boundaries of your overall area should not extend farther than about 2 hours of driving time from where your business is based.”
Step 5: Add Your Contact Information
Make sure to enter your business phone number and website URL. These are vital details that allow customers to get in touch with you. Double-check for accuracy—having correct contact info ensures customers can reach you easily.
We suggest you have a local phone number rather than a toll-free number as this will
We recommend that you have both a
Step 6: Choose your services
Choosing your services is the next step, and you can choose multiple services that pertain to your business.
For example, for a landscaping business you can choose “Gardening services”, “Landscape Design”, “Landscape Management”, and more. The more services you add the better, however be sure to add only those services that you offer.
Step 7: Add Business Description
The next step is to add a business description. This is where you can tell potential customers who you are, what you do, and what sets your business apart. A compelling business description helps Google understand your business better and improves your chances of showing up in relevant searches.
Here’s how to write a strong business description:
Who You Are
Start by introducing your business. Keep it concise but make sure to clearly state what your business does.
Your Services or Products
Describe the main services or products you offer. Focus on what your customers are looking for and highlight any unique or specialized offerings that set you apart from competitors.
Your Location and Service Area
Mention the areas you serve, especially if you’re a Service Area Business. This will reinforce your local presence to both customers and Google.
Tips for an Effective Business Description
Keep It Clear and Concise: You have a 750-character limit, but only the first 250 characters show up in search results. Make sure to lead with the most important information.
Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate keywords that customers might search for, but make sure they flow naturally. Avoid keyword stuffing.
Be Customer-Centric: Write with your target audience in mind. Use a tone that reflects your business’s personality, and address the needs of your potential customers.
Stay Updated: If your services change or you expand to new areas, make sure to update your business description accordingly.
Example Business Description:
"At ABC Plumbing, we provide expert plumbing services to homeowners and businesses across San Francisco. Whether you need emergency repairs, routine maintenance, or new installations, our team is here to help. With over 15 years of experience, we pride ourselves on fast, reliable service. Contact us today for a free quote!"
Step 8: Add Photos
Adding photos to your Google Business Profile is a powerful way to showcase your business and make a lasting first impression on potential customers. High-quality visuals can build trust, highlight your services, and show customers what they can expect when working with you.
Here’s how to effectively add photos to your profile:
Types of Photos to Include
Cover Photo
Your cover photo is the large image that appears at the top of your profile. Choose an eye-catching image that best represents your business. For service area businesses, you might use a photo that reflects the services you provide or a shot of your team in action.
Business Photos
Add a variety of photos that give potential customers a sense of your business. Here are a few examples:
Interior & Exterior: Show the inside and outside of your business premises (if applicable). If you're a service business, images of your workspace or team at work can help build credibility.
Team Photos: Highlight the people behind the business. Team or individual staff photos make your profile more personal and trustworthy.
Action Shots: Show your team providing services or customers using your products. This gives people a sense of what it’s like to work with you.
Products & Services: Upload images of the products you offer or showcase your services in action. This could be before-and-after shots, product close-ups, or photos of finished work.
Step 9: Verification Screen
You will now see that your edits will be visible once you’re verified.
Step 10: Add Business Hours
Setting accurate business hours on your Google Business Profile is essential for ensuring that potential customers know when you're available. This simple step helps build trust and prevents any confusion about your availability, especially if your hours vary throughout the week.
Steps to Make Your Service Area Business Stand Out
Now that you’ve created a GBP for your SAB (Service Area Business), here are some concrete steps you can take to make your SAB stand out:
Run a Local SEO Audit
It is also super important to run a local SEO audit so you know what fields are missing. You can use a tool like LocalPanda to run a local SEO audit. LocalPanda helps you conduct an audit for service area businesses also :)
Add Up to 20 Service Areas
Google allows you to add up to 20 service areas. Focus on areas where you operate the most and where your target customers live.
Track GeoGrid Rankings regularly
You must track the GeoGrid rankings for your new Google Business Profile regularly and for this you can use a tool like LocalPanda, which will show you the ranking (and rank changes) every week. And hey, it even works great for service-area businesses without a physical address! (just enter the location you want to track rankings for :))
Create Location Pages On Your Website
As a service-area business it is very important to create location pages on your website so you can rank for service areas. You can combine your services with the locations and create location pages accordingly. For example, “Plumbing services in <service_area_1>”, “Plumbing services in <service_area_2>” and so on
Add High-Quality Photos
Pictures help build trust and give potential customers a glimpse of your business. Include photos of your team, your workspace (if applicable), or your products. The more genuine, the better. You can post photos of you providing service at your customer’s location or your home location.
Create GBP Posts Regularly
Google allows you to create posts, so use this feature to share updates, promotions, or helpful tips. Regular posting keeps your profile fresh and engaging.
Use the Q&A Section
Google’s Q&A feature allows customers to ask you questions. Be sure to respond promptly to show that you’re engaged and attentive to customer needs.
At LocalPanda, we help you automate a lot of this work so you can get in the Map Pack easily and grow your Local SEO 10x.
Conclusion: Build Trust and Visibility with a Complete Google Business Profile
Creating a Service Area Business on Google Business Profile is more than just filling in the basics—it’s an opportunity to showcase what makes your business stand out. From setting up accurate contact details and hours to adding high-quality photos and a compelling business description, each step helps you connect with potential customers in a meaningful way.
By maintaining and regularly updating your profile, you not only stay visible but build trust with those searching for your services. Keep your profile fresh, relevant, and engaging, and you'll turn online visibility into real-world business growth.
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Dhruv “DB” Bhatia is the founder of LocalPanda (localpanda.ai) and has 12+ years of product leadership experience across SaaS and tech startups. He is a 2x Founder and loves building technology that solves user problems.
