Google Business Profile service area setup: SAB vs hybrid, postcode examples and video verification featured image
Marketing & Sales

Google Business Profile service area setup: SAB vs hybrid, postcode examples and video verification

TrainAR Team 27 days ago 6 min read

Category: Marketing & Sales • Niche: Local SEO, Google Business Profile, service area business, verification

UK tradesperson setting up Google Business Profile service areas by postcode

Contents

Quick answer

  • If customers do not visit your address, set up as a Service‑Area Business (SAB). Hide the address and add up to 20 service areas by cities or postcodes. Use realistic coverage you can actually reach.
  • If customers can visit your premises and it is staffed with permanent signage during opening hours, you can be a Hybrid business. Show the address and also set service areas.
  • Verification often uses a short video. Be ready to show exterior signage, vehicles, tools, and documents that prove you operate and manage the business.
  • Setting service areas helps people see where you work, but it does not magically expand your ranking radius. Proximity still matters.

Useful refs: Manage service areas and SAB rules on Google’s help centre support.google.com, and SAB vs Hybrid overview support.google.com.

Who this is for

  • Plumbers, electricians, roofers, HVAC, landscapers, builders, joiners and similar UK trades who travel to customers.
  • Micro teams and small firms setting up or fixing their Google Business Profile (GBP) for local lead generation.

Related Academy reads:

What changed in 2024 and 2025

  • Google Business Profile “websites” were removed and redirect to Maps. If you used the free Google site, point your Profile to your real website. Source: Search Engine Land.
  • Chat and Call History features ended in July 2024. Export anything you need. Source: Search Engine Land.
  • Local Services Ads tie-in tightened: in EMEA, LSAs require a verified GBP with matching details. Keep your Profile accurate. Source: Search Engine Land.

SAB vs Hybrid: decide first

  • Service‑Area Business: you visit or deliver to customers and do not serve customers at your address. Example: emergency plumber.
  • Hybrid: you both serve customers at your address and also travel to them. Your address must be staffed and signed during hours.

Official guidance: Business Profile for service businesses.

Decision tree for Service‑Area Business vs Hybrid on Google Business Profile

Key rules recap:

  • If you are SAB only, hide the address.
  • Do not use P.O. boxes, virtual offices or unstaffed coworking addresses.
  • One Profile per business or staffed location. Sources: Guidelines and Manage service areas.

Step-by-step: set your service areas

  1. Open your Business Profile in Google Search or Maps. Go to Edit profile then Location then Service area. Source: Manage service areas.
  2. Add up to 20 areas by city, town or postcode districts (e.g., BS1, BS3, BS8). Avoid giant regions you cannot cover.
  3. Keep the footprint realistic. A common rule of thumb is what you can reach within about a two hour drive from base.
  4. Match your website “Areas we serve” page to your GBP areas for consistency.
  5. Save and wait up to 48 hours for changes to show.

Verification: how to pass first time

Google uses phone, email, postcard, live video or a short video upload. You will be asked to prove you operate the business and manage the Profile. Sources: Verify your business and Video verification.

What to show in a video verification:

  • Exterior signage or clear location markers where relevant.
  • Branded vehicle, tools, uniform, materials, or van stock.
  • Admin proof: business registration, insurance, invoices, or job sheets with your business name.
  • Access to Profile on your device, if asked.

Helpful walkthrough (UK creator):

Postcode examples you can copy

Example 1: Bristol‑based plumber near BS3.

  • Base: Southville, Bristol (no address shown if SAB).
  • Service areas (up to 20, pick what you truly cover): BS1, BS2, BS3, BS4, BS6, BS7, BS8, BS9, BS13, BS14, BS15, BS16, BS20, BS21, BS30, BS31, BS34, BS41.
  • Notes: drop far districts that are not profitable at peak traffic times.

Example 2: Manchester‑based roofer near M21.

  • Service areas shortlist: M1, M4, M14, M15, M16, M20, M21, M22, M23, M32, M33, M41.

Tip: you can also list towns instead of postcodes if that is clearer for customers.

Ranking reality: what service areas do and don’t do

  • Setting service areas helps searchers understand coverage, but it does not automatically expand where you rank on the map. Proximity to your base still matters, along with relevance and prominence. See analysis from local SEO experts such as Whitespark’s guidance on SAB visibility and address display, plus Google’s own documentation.
  • Keep opening hours accurate. Google confirmed that “openness” is a ranking signal. Do not list 24/7 unless you genuinely answer calls at those hours. Source: Search Engine Journal.

Common mistakes that cause suspensions

  • Showing a residential or coworking address that is not staffed with permanent signage.
  • Using P.O. boxes or virtual offices.
  • Creating multiple SAB profiles to cover the same metro area.
  • Inconsistent business name, category, phone or site between GBP and your website.
  • Spammy categories or service lists that do not match what you actually do.

Rules: Guidelines for representing your business and Manage service areas.

Pro tips for trades

  • Create an “Areas we serve” page on your website. List the same towns/postcodes as your GBP service areas, plus example jobs and photos.
  • Add fresh photos regularly, especially before and after shots. Include job captions and location context where appropriate. Avoid any customer personal data in images.
  • Link your lead sources: if you run Local Services Ads, ensure your GBP details match exactly. See our LSA guides linked above.
  • Speed to lead: set up an instant text back for missed calls to recover enquiries while you are on the tools. See our missed‑call guide linked above.

Simple “Areas we serve” page outline

  • Intro: who you help and typical jobs.
  • List your towns or postcode districts.
  • Three mini case studies with photos and one‑line results.
  • Clear call to book, with phone and form.

FAQ

How do I set up a service area business on Google?

Open your Business Profile in Search or Maps, select Edit profile, go to Location, then Service area. Add up to 20 cities, towns or postcode districts and save. Source: Google Help.

Do I need to show an address?

If you do not serve customers at your location, hide the address and set service areas. If you do serve customers at your premises and it is staffed and signed during opening hours, you can show it as a Hybrid business. Source: [Google Help](https://support.googl…