Doing Local Directories for Online Stores?

[hwade]

I am working with some customers on SEO and wonder what to do about directories when they have an online store only. They do not want to list their home address (if they did would this be a good idea?). I know the big push now is for local directories so I'm wondering if anyone has tips for other types of directories to get into that aren't spammy. Or tips for doing SEO for sites that are online only? I know Rand talked a lot about the importance of being "real" with an about us page, contact us, etc. on his Future of Link Building Webinar and I'm wondering how to best make that work in this situation when they can't show themselves as real by being in local directories.

[MBayes]

We have lot's of clients with in home businesses. We either list the home address, and then in the places account request that it is not shown, or we encourage an executive office location if in fact they will use it as a place to do business. Having real contact information is not just important to Google , its important to their customers.

Our company has been using executive offices for 10 years.  They are a great cost savings, and give us a nice environment to meet clients or hold meetings. Most executive or virtually offices also give you an option of renting an individual office on a short term basis, which we have used many times.

Millions of businesses are home based. Google doesn't care if your address is residential or commercial, I think they care that it's listed.  Your client must have an address for  contact for customers that includes email, phone and address on their site.  They should also have it registered with the correct government agencies (the address )  and any valuable business associations in town, like a Better business bureau or Chamber.

[RyanKent]

I am sure there are a wide variety of virtual offices. I have never used one so I cannot speak from personal experience. According to the link I offered, the office can be used to meet clients and hold meetings. In this way, a virtual office is a big step up from a PO Box.

Let's take a tax preparer for example. Perhaps 90%+ of the business is done online. The virtual office can be used for first time client meetups and those who wish to visit in person for whatever reason.

[dignan99]

Obviously you can attempt to do whatever you want and hope for the best.  The biggest question is can you, your business, or your clients business afford to get caught doing something shady in any way, shape or form.

The biggest issue will be competing businesses ratting out the listing to the major search engines.

I would love some exact clarification on the use of a virtual office, as in my mind it would be in the same category as a PO Box as a person cannot enter the retail space/office to do business.

[RyanKent]

As with most systems, it can be good or bad depending on how it is used.

Example #1 - I decide to operate an online store from my home. I do not wish my home address to be known or used for business. I purchase a virtual office in my area, use that office address for all business dealings which include a local listing for my business.

This seems to be a completely legitimate use of a virtual office. If Google or anyone had a problem with the use of the virtual office address, I can explain my reasoning and offer proof of my home address. I don't believe anyone would have a problem with this idea.

Example #2 - My business is in Texas but I desire a better listing in Los Angeles so I purchase a Beverly Hills virtual office and use that address to gain a local listing in the LA area. I promote my location in local directories and advertise myself as a local business.

Clearly this is a deceptive practice.

Can search engines discover what you are doing? Of course. They have access to what business addresses are being used for this purpose. They may or many not actively investigate this issue, but surely they have the ability to if they felt it was necessary.

[dignan99]

I've never looked into or considered a virtual office scenario, but it sounds extremely plausible.  It isn't much different than a UPS address, but the benefit is the virtual office company knows the USE of address.  That way there is some protection to being "caught."  Caught is obviously relative depending on how you view the TOS of a search engine or local directory.

[RyanKent]

One way to go is the virtual office.

There are businesses which provide general office services. You can pay a small monthly fee and use their address with a modifier such as Suite 110. Many will offer a full range of services including mail forwarding, local phone number, receptionist to answer calls, meeting rooms on request, etc.

As dignan suggested, I wouldn't recommend trying to use this method to fake a presence where the company did not have one. It is quite useful if, as you suggested, an online retailer does not wish to give out their home address.

An example of one such service: http://manhattanvirtualoffice.com/index.html

[dignan99]

I don't see anyway around having a retail space/address when marketing to a local area.  Having an online business with no retail space is what divides local from national/international.

While there are ways of tricking the directories and/or search engines, by having a P.O. Box, or UPS address, or even choosing the address of a currently empty space, I do not believe this is a smart way of becoming a popular local business with a good reputation.

Best of luck.