Creative way to secure local addresses for Google Places?

[rhutchings]

For those of us that operate business in other areas that we technically dont have an "address" in... are there any creative ideas/ways anyone has run across in securing a physical address that you can use for local listing?

I have already tried the virtual office type of companies, and their inventory is limited to major metropolitan areas.

[donnye]

I know of a company that likely worked out a deal with a chain of rent to own furniture stores and were able to get Google Places listings with their own unique local phone numbers at each physical address across the state of Texas. I notice now they do not have the places listings they once had? Maybe they did not hide their physical address as they should have since customers purchase online rather than come into store and Google shut all their places listings down. Not real sure. Also a lot of their local domains they bought do not seem to come up number 1, 2, 3 spots anymore. They appear on page 2 - 5 on Google although their main domain ranks for things well still.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Ryan,

I think maybe you're right in that I'm not understanding the scenario you are describing (i.e., I don't know what your business does). The thing is, if you sell some type of a package to a bunch of real estate offices (just as an example) that doesn't mean you get to say you are located there. Now, if you were actually putting staff at the real estate offices and were getting a dedicated suite number and phone number within the office building for said staff, that would be akin to medical practices with multiple doctors in them. I'm not sure this if this is what you are describing, though. I'm not sure how much detail you are able to provide. More would be helpful.

[rhutchings]

Miriam-

I think you are assuming that I want to game the system, which is not the case.  There are plenty of scenarios where securing a local address in a partnership with someone would be a great idea.  i liked your post by the way, but in my case it actually strengthens the purpose:

I will have a local listing that does not accept customers at the location- hide the address and partner with a trusted source in areas that I do service.  This is a perfectly legit plan, but need help executing.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Guys,

I can't recommend attempting to secure addresses where you aren't physically located. Honesty is the best policy with this...if Google thinks something is fishy, their hammer is swift in falling and unforgiving. Also, be sure to take note on this new policy change if you are dealing with go-to-client-type business models:

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/why-you-may-need-to-hide-your-google-places-address-asap

Rather than spending effort/time/money on getting addresses, my advice would be to hire a copywriter to start gunning for secondary organic rankings for all of your service locations. It's not only allowed, but it can really work.

[Syed1]

Thmbs up'd. Love the idea! Not super easy to execute but could be very well it.

[SEOExecutive20]

Please do! You can PM me here on SEOMOZ.

[rhutchings]

Agree on the value.  I am probably going to hire/outsource someone to just focus on this task for me over the next few months.... well worth the money.

I will think about the franchise.  The only slight issue I have there is that I am looking at a lot of small town places, so that may be hard.  But worth a shot for sure.

One other idea I came up with that would work well for others (not myself because of competition) is real estate offices.  Most franchises has locations in town, and the realtors run their own offices.

Will let you know what I find out on both ends.

[SEOExecutive20]

I have never tried it, but I've also been pondering on the best method for this same subject.  I'm not saying it would be easy but think about it.

You only have to cut one deal, with one major company that has a multitude of locations and your set.

Shoot! It could end up being worth it even if you hired a professional sales team to close that deal for you with the head honcho.

Many companies know the value an SEO company can bring to there business.

[rhutchings]

Thanks for the idea.  have you done this before? The only worry i have with larger chains/franchises is that they would have to "run it up the flagpole" and i would get lost in the red tape.   Has this worked for you though?  I like the idea.

[SEOExecutive20]

Piggyback on a franchise that has many locations by offering them some type of package deal of your services as an exchange.