GMB issues for international train company

[coolhandluc]

Hi There

I work for an international train company which operates in multiple locations across several European countries.
I have been asked to claim our Google my business profiles for each location so we can manage reviews, images etc..

The problem i have is that our physical location (ticket desk, check in area etc..) in each country is in a train station (obviously).  We share the same address and postcode with the train stations ( i have personally phone them to make sure that was the case)

My question is, can i claim our business in GMB using the same details as the train stations?
If i can, it is literally  impossible for me to verify each profile through the use of coupon as I can't travel to each destination. I heard i could do bulk verification if we own more that 10 properties but I am not quite sure how to do all of it

Any help on both these questions would be greatly appreciated

[MiriamEllis]

My great pleasure, Neil. Best of luck to you!

[coolhandluc]

Thank you so much Miriam. I really appreciate you taking the time.

Very helpful indeed

Neil

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Neil,

I'm so sorry for the delayed reply. For some reason, I didn't receive a notification that you'd responded. So sorry about that!

Okay, so there are some guidelines you need to refer to here. It does sound like your business may qualify as a department of the train station. Google's guidelines on this state:

Public-facing departments that operate as distinct entities should have their own page. The exact name of each department must be different from that of the main business and that of other departments. Typically such departments have a separate customer entrance and should each have distinct categories. Their hours may sometimes differ from those of the main business.

• Acceptable (as distinct listings):
  • "Spring Gardens Optical Centre"
  • "Cafe Nero"
  • "Manchester General Hospital Department of Dermatology"
• Not acceptable (as distinct listings):
  • The Apple products section of PC World
  • The hot food bar inside Meadowhall

For each department, the category that is the most representative of that department must be different from that of the main business and that of other departments.

• The main business "Barclays" has the category "Bank" whereas the department "Barclays Advisors" has the category "Financial Consultant"
• The main business "Southend Toyota" has the category "Toyota Dealer" whereas "Southend Toyota Service & Parts" has the category "Auto Repair Shop" (plus the category "Auto Parts Shop")
• The main business "GetGo" has the category "Convenience Store" (plus the category "Sandwich Shop") whereas the department "GetGo Fuel" has the category "Petrol Station", and the department "WetGo" has the category "Car Wash"

So, from reading the guidelines, and given that you have a distinct name, the above should clarify your eligibility for a GMB listing for each of your branches.

However, regarding your phone number, that does concern me a bit. Google states:

• Provide a phone number that connects to your individual business location as directly as possible, and provide one website that represents your individual business location.

  • Use a local phone number instead of central, call centre helpline number whenever possible.
  • The phone number must be under the direct control of the business.

To be totally safe, you should have a unique phone number for each branch that is being answered at each branch. Any other route can lead to NAP confusion, ranking issues and other problems. So, before you start listing your branches, I would recommend resolving the phone number issue.

I hope this helps, and please let me know if you have any further questions!

[coolhandluc]

Thanks for taking the time myriam.

I have responded to the questions below

• 1. Is the name of your business different than the name of a given train station. Yes

  2. Do you have your own phone number at each train station, or are calls to you being routed through an answering service/desk belonging to each train station? Calls are rerouted via a call centre

  3. Would you consider your business a "department" of a train station? Yes

[MiriamEllis]

Thanks, Neil! And thanks for being understanding (we just don't have many trains where I live in the US and I've never consulted with a business in your industry). Just a few more questions:

1. Is the name of your business different than the name of a given train station.

2. Do you have your own phone number at each train station, or are calls to you being routed through an answering service/desk belonging to each train station?

3. Would you consider your business a "department" of a train station?

Please, let me know. I want to be sure I advise you to the best of my ability.

[coolhandluc]

Hi Miriam

We run train services between several countries. We sell/exchange tickets at the stations from our our ticket desk facilities which also include VIP lounges, departure lounges etc.. So it's all brick and mortar stuff. It's pretty much the same as an airlines within an airport.

[MiriamEllis]

Hey Neil!

Not very familiar with train-oriented business models. What does your company actually do, vs. what the ticket desk of the train station does?