Best Listings for Service Area Business?

[paulz999]

Hi Moz community!

I'm wondering the best places to get a local service area business listed online? I'm working with a client who installs synthetic grass around Vancouver, but could apply to any local SAB ... I found this resource from Local Visibility Systems but it's almost 5 years old at this point ...

http://www.localvisibilitysystem.com/2012/08/13/can-you-rank-well-in-local-google-without-revealing-your-street-address-anywhere/

I started setting up an Apple Maps Connect account but it doesn't seem like they support the concept. Is there a way to hide an address in Apple Maps Connect? Is it worth submitting at all?

Does anyone have a comprehensive list of modern directories that matter for local SEO that support SABs?

Thanks very much everyone! - Paul

[MiriamEllis]

My pleasure, Paul! Thanks for asking a good question

[paulz999]

Thanks Miriam, much appreciated!

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Paul!

Phil actually did a piece one year later as a follow-up to that first one you've linked to. I want to be sure you've seen:

https://www.localsearchforum.com/local-business-citations/6050-private-citations-hide-your-address-service-area-businesses.html

I do not know of a more recent list of directories that support hidden addresses. Regarding your question about Apple Maps Connect, the answer to that was not easy to find, so I actually reached out to Phil (given his expertise in this particular area) and he let me know that, no, unfortunately, hidden addresses are not supported by that platform.

Phil's two lists should still be largely accurate. Hope this helps.

[DonnaDuncan]

Interesting. I guess any service-based business has that issue. In your case, some people might actually want to see the product and "show up at his door". I think if he's okay giving out his address the only thing you can do is make it clear on his website that there is no showroom, no product on display at the business address and/or offer publicly accessible places where anyone could go and see it (if possible).

Maybe others will have different suggestions.

[paulz999]

Thanks Donna! To clarify, my client is happy to give a mailing address to the directory, but runs the business out of his house and doesn't serve customers there, so the key is to make the distinction so customers don't show up at his door.

[julie-getonthemap]

It's harder to rank on the map without an address, but I see people all the time who are. I would look at different search phrases on the various sites like Yelp, Apple Maps, etc. and see if you can find examples of businesses without an address.  What kind of citations do they have.

Especially with local search, you frequently have to do the research yourself. Different cities and industries don't have the same power citations. You have to find the ones that are right for you.

[DonnaDuncan]

Are you asking if there is a more up-to-date list of directories that don't require a physical mailing address? If yes, I'm not aware of one. It's probably not worth investing a lot of time researching either. If you or client doesn't want his or her mailing address listed, then your best bet is to focus on organic and/or PPC unless they're a niche player with very little competition.