How to Set Up Google Business Profile Without a Physical Address

Table of Content

What's Google Business Profile (GBP)?
Benefits of GBP for Online-Only Businesses
How to Set Up GBP Without an Address
Bonus Tip: Manage Google and All Socials in One App

No storefront? No problem! Whether you’re running an online-only business or offering services remotely, you can still make an impact on Google. Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free tool that puts your business on the map - literally - by displaying it on Google Search and Maps.

Can I have a Google Business Profile without an address? Absolutely YES!

A common question we get is, "Can I have a Google Business Profile without a physical location or address?". The answer is absolutely yes!

A Google Business Profile not only enhances your online credibility, but it also makes it easier for potential customers to discover your business. Additionally, it offers several benefits, such as linking your social media accounts, publishing free posts (or "updates," as Google calls them), and much more.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to set up a Google Business Profile - even if you don’t have a physical location.

1. What's Google Business Profile (GBP)?

Google Business Profile of Rising Dragon Tattoos

Google Business Profile is a free tool that allows businesses to manage how they appear on Google Search and Google Maps. It lets you provide essential business information like your business name, contact details, services, photos, and reviews. This profile can help potential customers find and contact you quickly when they search for your business or related keywords.

GBP is a free tool that allows businesses to manage how they appear on Google Search and Google Maps

Even if you don’t have a physical storefront, you can still use GBP to represent your business online. By setting up your Google profile, your business will appear in search results, allowing customers to see your services, contact info, and recent updates.

Who can use GBP? Online-only businesses that provide services or sell products can create a Google Business Profile. If you offer digital services, e-commerce, or consultations, a GBP is a valuable tool to improve your online presence.

Who might not use GBP? Google Business Profile might not be suitable for businesses without direct customer interaction (like blogs, affiliate sites, or purely informational websites). Google generally requires a connection to customers, either physically or via service delivery.

2. Benefits of GBP for Online-Only Businesses

Fiona Mills on Google

Above is Fiona, a photographer from the Bognor Regis area in the UK. While she doesn’t have a physical storefront, she still benefits greatly from her Google Business Profile. Although GBP is often linked with physical storefronts, it offers numerous benefits for online-only businesses as well.

Here are some key advantages:

Boost Online Credibility: Having a Google Business Profile gives your business credibility in the eyes of potential customers. It provides an official presence on the world’s most popular search engine. With a complete and verified GBP, customers are more likely to trust you, especially when they can see real reviews and ratings.
Increase Visibility: Your Google Business Profile allows your business to appear in local search results and on Google Maps - even without a physical location. By selecting a service area (like a city or region), your business can still rank for relevant searches, helping customers find you when searching for services or products you offer.
Connect Your Social Media: A unique advantage of GBP is that it allows you to link your social media profiles directly to your listing. When you update your social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.), those updates are shown automatically and for free on your Google Business Profile. This seamless integration helps you keep your customers engaged across platforms without extra effort.
Customer Reviews and Engagement: One of the key benefits of a GBP is the ability for customers to leave reviews and feedback. These reviews can have a significant impact on your online reputation. Positive reviews help build trust, and responding to them shows that you value your customers’ experiences. Remember, you can also use these reviews in other marketing channels - like social media, your website, and newsletters - to further boost your credibility.
Free updates: Regularly publishing updates to your Google profile, such as events, offers, bookings, online orders, product news, blogs, etc., builds trust and shows your audience that your business is active and well-managed. Use these updates to boost sales and engagement for free!

3. How to Set Up GBP Without an Address

Now that you know the benefits of having a GBP, let's walk through the steps to set up your profile, even if you don’t have a physical address to show.

Don't have a GBP or haven't claimed yours yet? No problem! You can easily create or claim it for free here.

Here's how to set up your GBP (steps may vary by browser, app, or device):

Go to GBP Manager: Start by logging into your Google account and navigating to Google Business Profile and clicking on "Edit now."
Enter Your Business Information: Enter your business name and choose a relevant business category (e.g., Online Consultant, E-commerce Store, etc.).
Choose "No" to Physical Location: Google will ask if you want to add a location. Select "No" (this tells Google you don’t have a physical storefront). Then, you’ll be prompted to specify the areas you serve (your service area).
Enter Your Service Area: You can enter the cities, regions, or countries you serve. For example, you might choose your local city, state, or nationwide.
Add Contact Information: Provide a contact number and website URL. If you don’t have a business phone, you can use your personal phone number, or even use an online contact tool.
Mailing Address for Verification: Even though your address won’t appear on the public profile, Google might require a mailing address for verification purposes. Google will send a verification postcard to this address. Don’t worry - the address won’t be shown publicly.
Verify Your Business: Next, you'll need to verify your profile. Google will send you a verification code. Enter the code to verify your business.
Complete Your Profile: Add extra details like your business hours, a short business description, and photos. These details will show up in your profile, making it more engaging for potential customers.
Double-Check Address Privacy: Make sure the address you provided is hidden from your public profile. You can double-check this by going to your profile settings and ensuring that the “Show address to customers” option is turned off.
Keep Your Profile Updated: Now, make sure to keep your profile current, as an outdated profile can harm your credibility. Don’t worry - there are handy tools (for free!) that can help automate this, which we’ll cover next!

4. Bonus Tip: Manage Google and All Socials in One App

Hookle Social Media Assistant

Once your Google Business Profile is live, you can start reaping the benefits we discussed earlier. Be sure to keep it updated - add or update pictures at least once a year, and ensure all other information is current. Also, publish updates regularly. A good rule of thumb is to do this consistently, whether on a weekly or monthly basis. The key is to be systematic.

This might sound like a lot of work, but managing it doesn’t have to be a hassle! With a social media management app like Hookle, you can easily manage your Google Business Profile and publish posts/updates along with all your social media accounts - all in one place.

With Hookle, you can easily manage your GBP and all your social media accounts - all in one place

With Hookle, you can auto-create and schedule posts for platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more - saving you time while keeping your branding consistent across channels.

This all-in-one solution ensures you never miss a beat when engaging with customers, whether through Google or social media. Plus, it makes updating your Google listing and social media profiles seamless!

Don’t just take our word for it - try it yourself. Download Hookle for free today to simplify managing your Google Business Profile and social media accounts!