How do we setup renting space without hurting our local seo?

[KempRugeLawGroup]

Currently, one of our offices has two businesses in it that our owned by the same person. The law firm and the title company. They both use the same address, but they both rank locally for this area. I'm worried that having another company rent space here that is not affiliated with the owner AND is using the same address will hurt us. What are our options here?

The best thing I can think to do is have them add a suite number or something to their listing, but I'm not sure exactly how to do that. Do I need to get the post office is to verify that? Will google and the rest just overturn it, if it's not in their records? Anyone know how best to proceed with this?

Thanks,

Ruben

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Ruben,

That's a good thing to learn! Yes, I've run into different requirements over the years in different states. Interesting to know how it works in Florida. Good luck:)

[KempRugeLawGroup]

Hi Miriam,

Thanks as always! You were on the right track. The two businesses that we own are completely separate (law firm and a title company). I eventually found out how to add officially add suites to our office building, so we should be good for now. Oddly enough, in Florida (or at least, in this county) it's not done through the post office (which is why I was so puzzled). You have to go through the "Geographical Information Services" department to get the forms...no, I never heard of it either.

Happy Friday and, once again, thanks for the response!

• Ruben

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Ruben!

I want to be sure I'm understanding the scenario here. You already own 2 companies which are occupying the same address. You are now considering renting out an office to a 3rd business that belongs to someone else. Right? If I've misunderstood, please clarify.

If I'm on the right track, I'm actually concerned about the scenario of the 2 businesses sharing an address to begin with. I'm assuming that they at least have separate phone numbers and separate websites with unique content. Hopefully that will prevent Google from confusing/merging the two businesses in future, but it is something I'd always be monitoring, just in case. Normally, it's considered a better practice to get a separate suite number for different businesses in the same building. How you do this is likely dictated by how things work in your state, but, yes, getting an official suite number from the USPS would be the most correct and solid way to do this so that each business can receive its own mail and customers are properly directed. So, in renting out an office to the 3rd business, this would be my advice as well (separate website, separate phone, separate suite).

Could yet another business at this address draw Google's attention to the situation in some negative way? It's possible. The 2 businesses sharing the address make me a bit nervous, frankly, but as you say, they are ranking just fine, so perhaps there will be no negative consequences at all. There is always an element of unpredictability when it comes to Google's behavior in regards to local businesses. They hammer down on some things that are kind of puzzling while letting overt spam go in other searches. So, no guarantees. Good luck!

[sachin-sv]

Hey, you may get your answer here- https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/business/Az--JGbPOME

jim.jaggers has clarify some really confusing queries

[nopsts]

Maybe you need to build another microsite or something like that, then create a new google + page and point it to that microsite, then you can go?