Ranking Penalty in Google Places for Primary Cell Phone Number?
-
Say a business runs out of a home (so, technically, the address of the business has a land line). But the business owner works outdoors all day long and so really runs his business off his cell phone.
Is it OK in Google Places to list the mobile phone as the primary contant number, and list the home phone as a secondary number?
Or will Google penalize the business's ranking in local search results for using a cell number as the main number?
-
Hi Echo1, I suggest you open a new thread for this question. This system doesn't show new activity on old questions, so people are unlikely to notice it.
-
What about having a local an a 1800 number? Would that affect the local rankings too? About 2 -3 years ago, having a 1800 number listed meant that you are a trusted business not just a flight-by-night company with its cell phone as their main number.
-
Phone numbers either landlines or mobile phones should not have a difference for the search engines in local search. As I have stated in my first response it is the use of the number consistently accross all your profiles and citations. I also believe a 800 number will be much less effective than a local number . If you use this number to forward to your other numbers that should not be an issue as long as the end users are served well while accesing this number. The last thing you want is a review that says this number is no longer working
-
I agree about the 800#; many resources advise against it as a primary number.
Ultimately, I chickened out and used the land-based line, listing the cellphone under "other numbers." He can employ his wife or use call forwarding to get calls to his cell, and give his cell to prospects upon talking with them. My understanding that a key component in local search listings is consistency, and I didn't want and confusion with online phonebooks and what have you.
Although I'm not using it in this case, I think I also might advise cellphone-heavy small businesses to establish their business with a local "virtual office" provider (an office park). You get your own land-based phone number on their switchboard, a non-PO-Box mailing address, and even an administrative assistant to answer the phone as your business, in some cases. I'm not suggesting non-local-seeming-local trickery; just getting your business out of your house and cellphone and into a land-based business environment. It can also make your business seem bigger to have someone answer the phone; and if you have a thick overseas accent (as one of my clients does) it can help combat first-impression prejudice or comprehension difficulties to start out the business replationship with a "local voice" kicking it off. Some virtual office set-ups even let you use a conference room, when necessary, for a small hourly fee.
I'm guessing, like anything else, something good like this could be used for evil in the hands of some local search people – but life is too short for all that black-hat nonsense. I'm just saying that if a local roofer lived near an office park, he might want to run his businesses out of a local virtual office setup rather than out of his attic, or while on top of his roof...and maybe the whole approach would help some local search issues (e.g., primary phone, map showing home address) to boot.
-
Using an 800 number may have a negative impact on local rankings - especially if it's the only phone number. http://www.davidmihm.com/local-search-ranking-factors.shtml#62
Cell phone number shouldn't be a problem - especially if the area code matches the address. Per Google's own Places quality guidelines:
"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 a call center number whenever possible.
Do not provide phone numbers or URLs that redirect or “refer” users to landing pages or phone numbers other than those of the actual business."(http://www.google.com/support/places/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=107528)
A business cell phone should meet that criteria.
-
With all the porting of phone numbers, I'd think it would be mixed all over the place and not a great method to punish someone. Prehaps consider getting an 800 #
-
Google or the other engines should not care if you use a cellphone or land based unit. What would have an impact in your local search results is if you use this number consistently for your profile. The NAP(name,address,phone) should be consistent on all submissions,profiles,mentions,citations etc. Another factor that could affect local rankings is the area code that your mobile number has ex. if i was targeting los angeles i would want my area code to start with 323,213,310 etc . which is representative of the area. I hope this helps you out .
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Knowledge Graph is ranking for Brand+Location keyword, but not for Brand name.
Hi, for my brand Knowledge Graph is ranking for Brand+Location keyword, but not for Brand name. Do anyone know why?
Image & Video Optimization | | danielax1 -
Is this business considered a SAB to Google?
Hi All, We have a client who designs and installs custom closets, garage systems, wall beds, home offices, etc. They have a showroom that displays all this for their potential customers to visit. I have hidden the address for this business but the client has an idea that, since they have this showroom that customers can go to, they should not be considered a SAB. My issue is with this part of Google's quality guidelines "If you don't conduct face-to-face business at your location, you must select "Yes, this business serves customers at their locations"" This client does occasionally conduct face-to-face business at the location BUT they serve the customers at their locations. Opinions and suggestions greatly appreciated!
Image & Video Optimization | | AmberRobinson0 -
Google maps displaying wrong image
Hi, I couldn't figure this out, how do i change image that shows up on the right side for maps results, do i change it in my Google places account ?(which i did and and its a first one) or in Google plus, i just cant get it? Thanks for help.
Image & Video Optimization | | Davidmez0 -
None of my images are being indexed by google.
None of my images are being indexed by google. Here is a link to one of my site images : http://www.yourlamode.com/sitemap_images.xml Its been uploaded for more then 5 days
Image & Video Optimization | | spidersite0 -
Google Places
Hi everyone, I accidentally added a google place account for a client that had already an existing account. Could you tell me if I delete the new account if it will affect the existing one? If deleting isn't good what should I do? And what are the different risks if there are? Thank you,
Image & Video Optimization | | Ideas-Money-Art0 -
Url in Google Places bulk upload
Hi, I'm preparing a bulk upload for Google Places and have a question about the url of every individual place. The website is structured this was: www.website.com/entrepreneur-X
Image & Video Optimization | | nvs.nim
www.website.com/entrepreneur-Y
... But you can reach every individual entrepreneur like this as well: www.entrepreneur-x.com
www.entrepreneur-y.com
...these URL's redirect to the pages listed above and they use the e-mail address info@entrepreneur-y.com Should I use www.website.com/entrepreneur-X or www.entrepreneur-x.com in the bulk upload? I think it's best using www.website.com/entrepreneur-x because the other url is a redirect. What do you guys think??1 -
How quick do you see google places rankings update
We have submitted allot of citations over the last 60 days for a client. A very prominent business in their city. Pretty good SEO rankings considering we just started doing SEO a couple months ago. Over the last several weeks we have fixed all listings and removed duplicates. Site is optimized properly and etc.. After how many weeks should I see a change in places rankings? Right now they are not moving up at all.
Image & Video Optimization | | waqid0 -
VSEO - Is backlinks help youtube video to rank well??
hey, I made a test & got backlinks to 2 youtube videos of mine and saw what should happening in next few days..but nothing got! I didn't get update or change in my videos even if the keywords are low competitions.. but when I read many posts & experts say that getting backlinks to your youtube video or VSEO count by google and we should doing it! the only way I've found to improve your youtube video ranking in google is to add it in blog & use video sitemap! but I'm also use video to direct affiliate link & there where I think backlinks should work to help me. I would to know from your experience is that worth to do or not or if backlinks for youtube are link ping we should do it directly when we upload video? PS: any info or idea you've it can be a very helpful solution for all! thnx
Image & Video Optimization | | akitmane0