Which "business type" is most appropriate for MozLocal?

[partnerscreative]

We are trying to select our "business type" for MozLocal. It's not clear what the implication is by choosing one over the other: brick and mortar or service area?

Does anyone understand the criteria to choose one over the other, and when and how is this used by local listings?

Thanks.

[Rachel_J]

Hi David,

I was wondering if you can help me with a similar dilemma. I am technically a service area business, but we do have a location in each city/area that we service (to house the equipment and vehicles).

I would like to use Moz Local and do the right thing on Google, do I list myself as a SAB or a chain? I would rather be listed as a chain since it seems easier on many accounts but I don't want to "game" the system in anyway.

[DonnaDuncan]

The difference has primarily to do with whether customers come to you or not.

Brick and Mortar business has a physical location that prospects and customers visit to do business. Examples include restaurants, shops, garages, doctors, lawyers, and movie theaters. A service area business does not. Examples include businesses that operate from home addresses, and online and mobile businesses like plumbers and electricians. If your business serves customers at their locations, you should list it as a service area business.

[DavidLee]

Primarily the tool is intended for Brick & Mortar business types as we will distribute the full NAP to our data partners. Service area businesses are supported, however not all of our partners will hide the street address, which is required to be displayed in order to submit through Moz Local. If you are only managing service are businesses, you may want to manage them manually if you want to keep the address private.

Hope this helps!