How to Switch from Physical Location to Service Area Business

Switching from showing a physical location to becoming a Service Area Business (SAB) is a common need for businesses that don't serve customers at their location. However, making this change incorrectly can trigger suspension.

When Should You Be an SAB?

First, determine if you should be a Service Area Business:

You SHOULD be an SAB if:

• You travel to customers' locations to provide services
• You don't serve customers at your business address
• You operate from home but serve a surrounding area
• You're a contractor, plumber, electrician, cleaning service, etc.

You should NOT be an SAB if:

• Customers come to your location for services
• You have a storefront or office where customers visit
• You're a restaurant, retail store, or other customer-facing location
• You have a hybrid model with both in-office and travel services

If you have a hybrid model where some customers come to you and others you visit, you should keep your physical location visible and list your service areas as well.

How to Make the Switch

The process is straightforward but must be done correctly:

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Log into Google Business Profile

   • Go to your Business Profile dashboard
   • Select the location you want to convert

2. Edit Your Business Information

   • Click on "Info" in the left sidebar
   • Find the "Add service area" option
   • Add all the cities, zip codes, or regions you serve

3. Hide Your Address

   • In the address section, look for "Clear address" or "I deliver goods and services to my customers"
   • Select this option to hide your street address
   • Your city and state will still be visible

4. Update Your Business Description

   • Modify your description to reflect that you're a service area business
   • Mention that you travel to customers
   • Specify your service area clearly

5. Update Your Website

   • Make sure your website also indicates you're a service area business
   • Remove any language suggesting customers should visit your location
   • Add service area information to your contact page

What Happens After the Switch

Immediate Effects:

• Your street address will no longer show publicly
• Your city and state remain visible
• Your service area will be displayed
• You'll still appear in local searches for your service areas

Ranking Impact:

• You may see temporary fluctuations in rankings
• Long-term rankings often improve because Google understands your business model better
• You'll be eligible for searches in all your service area locations

Common Mistakes When Converting

Not Adding Service Areas First: If you hide your address without first adding service areas, Google may suspend your profile for having insufficient location information.

Keeping Physical Location Features: Remove any photos or descriptions that suggest customers should visit your location. Photos of waiting rooms, retail displays, or "visit us" language can cause issues.

Inconsistent Website Information: If your website still lists a physical address prominently and invites customers to visit, but your GBP shows you as an SAB, Google may flag this inconsistency.

Adding Too Large a Service Area: Google limits service areas to a 2-hour drive radius from your location. Claiming larger areas can trigger suspension.

Re-Verification May Be Required

Sometimes Google requires re-verification when you make this change:

If Asked to Verify:

• Use the postcard verification method to your actual business location
• Make sure your business name matches your official documents
• Don't make additional changes while verification is pending

Documents You May Need:

• Business license
• Utility bill or lease agreement
• Professional license (if applicable)
• Insurance certificate

Special Considerations for Different Business Types

Home-Based SABs: If you operate from home, you MUST hide your address. Showing a residential address can lead to suspension if you don't meet customers there.

Contractors and Trade Services: You should almost always be an SAB unless you have a showroom or office where customers regularly visit.

Professional Services: Lawyers, accountants, and consultants who work from home but occasionally meet clients should carefully consider whether they meet the requirements for showing an address.

What If You Need to Switch Back?

If you realize you made a mistake and need to show your physical address again:

1. Remove the service area designation
2. Make your address visible again
3. Update your business description
4. Ensure your address is clearly displayed on your website
5. Add photos showing your customer-facing location

Monitoring After the Change

After switching to SAB, monitor your profile:

Watch For:

• Verification requests from Google
• Changes in search rankings
• Customer questions about your location
• Any suspension notifications

Track These Metrics:

• Search impressions in your service areas
• Direction requests (should decrease)
• Call and message volume
• Customer reviews mentioning location

Need Help Making the Switch?

Converting to a Service Area Business is a critical change that must be done correctly. If you're unsure whether you should be an SAB or need help with the conversion process, run our free diagnostic tool to check your profile setup.

Already suspended after making this change? Learn about our reinstatement services to get your profile back online.