Local SEO: Creating a Second home-based business?

[roachdesign]

I'm in a bit of a pickle, here's the issue:

• I have a home-based business with a physical address.
• I plan on starting another home-based business at the same physical address.
• I only have one phone (cellphone).
• I plan on operating both businesses unless one completely eclipses the other.

I can probably see your head spinning right now . . . how big of NAP issues are we looking at?

• I own my house, I could probably add a line to the new business address (like a suite # or something)
• I can afford a landline or secondary cellphone if necessary

Any thoughts, ideas, criticisms, direction, hate-mail, or solutions?

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Michael,

So glad to have you here in the Q&A Forum. Let's tackle this!

So, the main issue you're facing is the negative outcome of merged listings. A merged listing occurs when Google combines the details of two different businesses, often because they share similarities. For example, a carpet cleaner and a rug store sharing the same building might accidentally end up with the details on their Google+ Local pages getting mixed up. They might end up with crossed up phone numbers, address numbers or reviews.

While Google has become more adept in recent times at not merging listings, it still does happen and that can be a problem. Your best insurance against this would include:

1. Two distinct business types (not in the same industry)

2. Two separate local phone numbers (you've got to have this)

3. A separating address element, like a legal suite number

4. Completely different websites with NO DUPLICATION of content, address or phone number between them.

5. Completely separate sets of citations at third party sites, with no mixed up details

6. Choosing completely different business categories when creating the new Google+ Local page for the new business

If there are similarities or duplications in any of the above, yes, you are at risk for a merge that could potentially harm your original business while holding back the new company's ability to rank well. So, this is something to be entered upon with really good planning and care. Glad you asked and good luck!

[vivekrathore]

If you have just one business with different aspects to it and Google likely would see it the same way.
Having two business listings with the same address and phone number would likely result in a merger of the two listings into one. If 2 or more businesses share an address, suite address or phone number (or even if their names are too similar), Google will frequently merge the business details of the listings.

Google allows 2 or more businesses at the same address when the categories are clearly different, which you can do if the 2 businesses are of different aspects.

You can get some help here. https://support.google.com/places/answer/107528?hl=en&ref_topic=1656880

I advise to get a new phone number for your second business. This will solve the problem more easily, its cost effective and removes the whole confusion

Hope this helps

[MoosaHemani]

Miriam is a super women when it comes to Local SEO... nailed it!

[Alex-Harford]

Another reason for having separate phone numbers is to make sure there's no confusion when people search for your phone number.

[MiriamEllis]

Thanks, Moosa