Case Study: How to Successfully Create a Google My Business (GMB) Account for a Property Agent Without a Physical Address

Introduction 

For property agents who work remotely or from home, setting up a Google My Business (GMB) profile can be challenging, especially when Google requires a verifiable address for business listings. This case study explores how our client, a real estate agent successfully set up the GMB profile without a physical office address, following Google’s best practices and overcoming verification issues.

The Challenge 

A real estate agent, faced several obstacles when trying to list the business on GMB:

• Real estate agents operate from home and do not have a physical office address.
• GMB profile was not publicly listed, despite submitting a service area.
• Google did not allow you to verify via phone, email, or mail.

The Approach 

After analyzing Google’s guidelines and best practices, We followed a structured process to ensure compliance and successfully list the business:

1. Removing the Address and Setting a Service Area
   • We accessed our client Business Profile via Google Search or Maps.
   • Navigated to ‘Edit profile’ > ‘Business Information’ > ‘Location’.
   • Edited the ‘Business location’ section and turned off ‘Show business address to customers’.
   • Set the service area instead, allowing our client business to appear in relevant local searches.
2. Ensuring Compliance with Google’s Guidelines
   • Verified that the listing met Google’s policy requirements, ensuring it was categorized correctly as a service-area business.
   • Avoided using a virtual office address or PO Box, as these violate Google’s terms.
3. Verification Process
   • Since Google’s standard verification methods (phone, email, mail) were unavailable, We reached out to Google Support through their official channels.
   • Submitted additional documentation, including business registration details and an active website link, proving legitimacy as a real estate agent.
   • Engaged in a video verification call to demonstrate the service area without revealing a physical location.
4. Appealing to Google Support
   • Contacted Google Business Support to request manual intervention.
   • Provided all required documentation and explained that the business operates as a service-based entity.
   • Asked for the listing to be reinstated and publicly displayed.

The Results 

After following these steps, your GMB profile will be successfully published without displaying a physical address and you can now benefits from:

• Increased online visibility for potential clients searching for real estate services.
• A compliant listing that adheres to Google’s service-area business policies.
• Enhanced credibility and trust with prospective clients.

Key Takeaways

• Removing a home address and correctly setting a service area is crucial for real estate agents working remotely.
• Following Google’s verification process strictly helps in getting a listing approved.
• If standard verification methods fail, contacting Google Support with proper documentation can help resolve the issue.
• Ensuring compliance with Google’s guidelines prevents listing suspension or bans.

Final Thoughts 

For real estate agents facing similar challenges, following a structured approach like our client can lead to successful GMB listing approval. As demonstrated, patience, adherence to policies, and leveraging Google Support are key to overcoming verification hurdles.

If you need assistance in securing your GMB listing without risking suspension, reach out to DMB.SG for expert guidance.