Co-working and shared offices have existed for more than a decade now, and are increasingly favored by lean startups as a cost-effective way to operate. Big corporations are also increasingly moving toward the cost-saving paradigm of virtual offices and remote working positions.Because this is still a somewhat new business location paradigm, it’s not always clear to people how it fits into the Google My Business directory. They want to know if their co-working office qualifies to be listed on Google my Business.
Because this is still a somewhat new business location paradigm, it’s not always clear to people how it fits into the Google My Business directory. They want to know if their co-working office qualifies to be listed on Google my Business.
Virtual Offices vs. Co-Working Offices
A virtual office is a business service that provides a physical mailing address without a physical presence of the business owner or its employees. The address is usually not a Post Office Box, but a way of communicating with the business through a shared receptionist, voicemail, or call center.
Virtual offices do not qualify to have a Google My Business listing. Unlike a virtual office, a co-working space is a “brick and mortar” location where clients can meet company reps during business hours. These spaces offer small and growing businesses a way to establish a real-world presence at a minimum of cost while allowing networking with other small businesses and professionals who share the space.
Co-working offices are eligible under Google’s requirements to be listed on the Google My Business directory.
Requirements for Co-Working Offices
While co-working offices can be listed on Google My Business, they must meet certain specific requirements that Google has outlined:
Physical Occupancy: The office has to be a “brick and mortar” location where the business maintains a physical presence during certain regular operating hours, a place where customers or vendors can show up and interact with the business in person.
A Dedicated Phone Line: On your Google My Business listing for a co-working office-based business you must list a dedicated number that is answered with your business’s name, not a number that rings up a shared receptionist.
A Mailing Address: You have to be able to receive mail at your co-working office space. Google uses a post card sent by mail to verify your office and that you are who you are actually the business owner wanting to list the business.
Only One Listing Per Business: If your business has multiple sites, Google will not list it for each and every one of them, so you’ll have to choose one to list on Google My Business. Google prefers that you choose whichever one you consider your main location.
Only ONE Listing Per Business: If your business provides multiple goods and services, Google does not allow you to add a different listing to its directory for each product line or separate service. You must keep all your products and services under one umbrella listing.
Accurate Office Hours: You must set specific hours of operation during which you are open for business when you list your company on Google My Business, and your business must be open during the hours that you provide customers on this directory.
