Guide · Local SEO
How do I show up on Google Maps without a storefront?
By Yerik Linares, Kenai Solutions · Kissimmee, FL ·
Create a Google Business Profile as a service-area business: remove your address from the profile, add the cities or ZIP codes you serve (up to 20, within about 2 hours of driving from your base), and verify it. Then complete every field, add real photos of your work and ask every customer for a review.
Which type of business are you?
| Type | Who it is for | Address on Google |
|---|---|---|
| Storefront | Customers come to you at a place with permanent signage | Shown |
| Service-area | You go to the customer (contractors, cleaners, handymen, mobile services) | Hidden |
| Hybrid | Customers come to you and you also go to them | Shown, plus a service area |
Can I be on Google Maps if I work from home?
Yes. Google says that if your business has no permanent signage at a location, it is not eligible as a storefront and should be listed as a service-area business. You get one profile for your whole area.
What areas can I add?
Cities, postal codes or other defined areas. Google allows up to 20, and the whole area should stay within about 2 hours of driving from where you are based. Since June 2025 you cannot add entire states or countries.
What helps a service-area business rank?
What should I avoid?
Step by step
- 1Go to business.google.com and create the profile with your exact business name.
- 2When asked if customers can visit you, answer no, so the address stays hidden.
- 3Add the cities or ZIP codes you serve, up to 20.
- 4Choose your main category (for example, Handyman or Website designer) and add your services.
- 5Verify the profile. Google offers several methods; for businesses without a storefront, a video call is common.
- 6Add photos of real work, your hours, and a link to your website.
- 7Send the review link to your last customers and to each new one.