Does this tactic fall into the Local SEO best practice?

[Ideas-Money-Art]

Hi Mozzers,

I have a client who serves the entire San Francisco bay area but has only one physical location.

He  asked me if he should get different addresses by renting out offices in different cities so he could use that for a better localization of his business.

Thanks for letting me know!

[SoleGraphics]

The money spent on rent can be applied to build a killer site that has content catered to the areas he really focuses on. So create pages for specific cities and have some job details specific to that city. The business details aren't in the question so its hard to say but I'm guessing if there isn't a need to open a new office your client is just trying to get local  'seven pack" rankings which require a physical place and a local number.

Hope that helps.

[Tony-Dimmock]

Hi Taysir,

Simple answer - no. Google's T&C's stipulate that locations must be "physical" and not non-populated rented offices..

Strong local search indicators to Google include proof of physical locations, via NAP (name, address, postcode) citations.

There's nothing stopping them "owning" the SF bay area with a single site, district-focus pages and a single G+ Business Account with dozens of positive reviews and back-ed up citations.

Be very careful with clients who are greedy and want to game the system. if you're not careful, they'll do it anyway behind your back and cause you no-end of grief when their activities come back and bite them (and you) in the backside!

My advice is to be very firm and direct about what Google class as contravening their guidelines.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Taysir,

If they are staffed, physical offices, yes. If they are not, then, no. You'll need to focus on Local SEO for his physical location and organic SEO for his service cities where he isn't physically located.

[Tony-Dimmock]

Good point Miriam, I'd assumed the offices were "post code only" and non-staffed. I guess the potential huge cost of renting out multiple offices to achieve his aim made me veer towards the scenario I'd assumed

[MiriamEllis]

You are likely right, Tony. Just need to be sure!

[katandmouse]

Unfortunately, Taysir, it's not best practice but it works and a lot are doing it much to the chagrin of business owners who play by the rules and the SEOs who support them. As others stated here, organic SEO on local pages is what's needed. Perhaps if you post what kind of business it is, others here may give suggestions on how to optimize those.

[AndyKuiper]

You have answers from two different people saying very much the same thing; I'll add my name to the list: ---> your instincts were right on this one, just do what is recommended from the two responders above, and your client will thank you later

*As for your client, Just because some of the 'others' are doing it, doesn't mean it's the right, or practical thing to do. Your patience and good practices will pay off with Local Search, in time

Andy

[Ideas-Money-Art]

Thank you Guys for all of your responses!