Local SEO- Multiple businesses at one address

[watkinsheating]

Rand was talking about the importance of address format being exactly the same across all citations in last week's WBF http://www.seomoz.org/blog/local-seo-checklist-for-new-sites-whiteboard-friday. But what about business name?

I have two unrelated businesses at the same address and am in the process of updating/adding citations for each. Will duplicate citations (identical addy, different business name) harm my Places ranking? Any suggestions?

David

[RobertFisher]

David,

Not sure what types of businesses they are, but there is a work around. We see this a lot with professional practices where they have a physicians office and spa or physical therapy, etc. So, you need to be able to have separate suite numbers. If you own the building it does not present a problem; if you don't you need to clear it with your landlord. You can even have ste. 101-A if need be (101 and 101-A, but I like using similar: 101 and 103).

Also, you need a different phone number for each business. Sometimes, entrepreneurs have multiple businesses answered at the same number and this will not work. If you set it up with separate suite number at same physical address and a different phone number you should be fine. If the businesses are very similar, I would suggest going all out on showing the dissimilarities when you fill out your Places info.