I need some help with my addresses, please.

[Coppell]

I've only ever had a mailing address for my business, but I now have a new physical address which I use to meet clients at, and it's in a different city.  There's no mailing address at the physical location though, so I'm keeping my mailing address at the post office where's it always been.

What should I do about changing my address? Should I change it, or leave it alone? I could add it easily to my website, as a physical address and a separate mailing address. But what about my Google Maps listing, social sites, and citations?

I rank at the top for my keywords in my original city, so I don't really want to lose that. Would it be a good idea to add a location/landing page to my website for the new city, to help me rank there?

Hope that made some sense - thanks in advance.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Coppell,

Thanks so much for asking about this. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you formerly built a Google My Business listing for a mailbox, that was actually a violation of Google's guidelines which state:

PO Boxes or postboxes located at remote locations are not acceptable.

So, if you've achieved local pack rankings based on this ineligible mailbox address, I'm afraid these would be viewed as unearned and could be removed as spam. You haven't specified whether you are talking about ranking well organically or locally, but if it's the latter, then this is definitely a concern.

Now, as you mention, you do have a real, physical office where you are meeting customers face-to-face. Can you please provide a bit more information about why it has no mailing address? Are you saying your city doesn't deliver mail to you there? Something else? Where does mail get delivered to businesses located at this new location?

[Coppell]

Hello,

The new office space is shared with another friend of mine. I will not be changing the mailing address, because of convenience reasons.

I am ranking organically and locally. I had no idea I wasn't allowed to have a mailbox as my address. How was I able to do this if it's a violation?

Should I change the address? Even if it's working well -no issues with spam so far. Would I lose my reviews? I really don't want that to happen.

Thank for your help.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Coppell,

Google puts the burden on business owners to become aware of and read Google's guidelines. They won't stop you from creating most listings that violate the guidelines, but these listings can then be taken down for violations if a) Google catches them, or, b) a consumer or competitor reports them.

The only time you should create a Google My Business listings is if it is guideline-compliant. Otherwise, you are putting effort into something that's a liability to your brand and reputation, instead of being an asset.

So, unfortunately, you were unaware of Google's guidelines in this and have built rankings and reviews around an ineligible address. Regarding the new address, I had asked some questions. You mention it has no postal delivery. Why is that? Is it on a brand new street? How do business owners occupying your street receive mail? Also, you mention you are sharing this office with a friend. Are they in the same business category as you?