Should HVAC Companies Use a Virtual Location?

HVAC companies should NOT use a virtual address. There’s no upside to risking your Google My Business suspension since it will account for at least 60% of your web traffic. Instead, you can list your address as a SAB (which will hide it publicly), or if you choose, you can publicly list your office address without designating it as a SAB. 

Attempting to expand your local SEO reach is something every HVAC company should try, but virtual offices are not allowed for Google My Business listings. Of course, not every GMB listing with a virtual address gets banned, but you are putting your company at risk should you move forward.

Google Guidelines on Virtual Offices

Google’s official statements on the matter are perplexing since they state that virtual offices are not allowed unless staffed during business hours. But how can a virtual office be staffed? Evidence shows that listings who’ve previously attempted to list a virtual office as their address are getting banned by Google.

A service area businesses should not use a virtual office for verification unless it is staffed by the business in question during listed hours. It looks like you've already noted these guidelines, but you can view them here as well: https://t.co/zSeTlHClVD. Thanks! – Ally

— Google Business Profile (@GoogleMyBiz) February 3, 2020

Why Do HVAC Companies Use Virtual Offices?

There are two primary reasons why an HVAC contractor or company would invest in a virtual office address. First, if the contractor currently lists their home address as their business location. This setup has several disadvantages, most notably the lack of status associated with a home business address. 

Second, HVAC companies looking to expand their business to new areas often cannot afford a physical office space overhead. Virtual offices allow companies to expand their service area without ever renting physical property. In addition, it’s much easier to attract clients from a community where your address resides and can help you earn more trust by proximity. 

HOA / Zoning Immunity

Some cities and homeowners associations have legislation prohibiting certain homes from being used as business addresses. Such restrictions are problematic for startup contractors who are based out of their homes. Investing in a virtual address eliminates problems like these.

In addition, because virtual offices are located in areas that are not restricted, they can be used as the listing for your HVAC company while allowing you to continue using your home as your business base.

Professional Presentation

Marketing is more about perception than reality. A consumer subconscious prefers professional-looking businesses and is far more likely to trust them based on that quality alone. A professional business address inspires that trust, unlike a home address that does not.

For example, a consumer looking for HVAC services in their area is more likely to consult with a professionally addressed service than one who is perceived to be working out of their home. Doing great work is most important, but you must first generate leads.

Service Area Expansion

The #1 reason why companies of all kinds invest in a virtual address is to expand their business. You may be based in a particular city or zip code but see tremendous opportunity in a neighboring location. If you know your company has the resources to meet those demands, establishing a 2nd address can stimulate lead generation.

In addition, consumers in this external area are far more likely to trust a company within their location, zip code, etc. Just make sure you have the equipment and human resources to accommodate an expanded service area.

Virtual Office Alternative for HVAC Companies

Google prohibits listing a virtual address for HVAC SAB companies. Still, most HVAC contractors service multiple cities, towns, and zip codes within the general radius of their primary location. So how can your company expand its service area without violating Google’s guidelines?

DataPins

DataPins, which is a local SEO software for HVAC companies, inserts geo-coordinates from each job you complete. DataPins automatically publishes pins with schema markup to validate both a service and a service area.

Each time your company completes a job, the software pulls geo-coordinates from the location and publishes them directly on your website. Pins appear on a corresponding page; for example, a furnace repair in Atlanta shows up on the furnace repair page and the Atlanta page, respectively.

City Pages

HVAC companies can publish individual city pages for each of their service areas. For example, if you are based in Dallas, you can create service pages for Plano, Mesquite, and Frisco, along with every other town you work in. DataPins can enhance city pages by automatically adding new and unique content when you complete jobs in the respective locations.

Physical Offices

If your primary goal is to show up on Google Maps in a high-population area, you must purchase physical office space and verify it through Google My Business. Sometimes moving your business location is a smart strategy for SEO. You must weigh the pros and cons of moving your business to a new location.