Many people are confused about whether home-based businesses can have a Google Business Profile. Yes, they can, but there are a few rules:

1. You have to serve customers in person - either let them come to your location or travel to their location. Online-only businesses are not eligible for a GBP.

2. You MUST add your business address when verifying (even if you plan to hide it).

During the creation of the Google Business Profile, Google will ask you, “Do you want to add a location customers can visit, like a store or office?” If you don’t serve customers at your location and don’t want them showing up at your door, choose “No”, and Google will not show your address on your Profile.

Note: You cannot use a P.O. box or a virtual office. 

3. You can run multiple businesses out of your home, but they have to have different categories (e.g. a dog groomer and a plumber).

You WILL have trouble verifying two businesses in the same category from the same home address.

Also, each business you operate should have its own phone number and website.

4. Don’t create multiple Profiles for a single home business to represent its different services.

For example, if you run an HVAC company, do not create one GBP for your heating services and another for your air conditioning services. You wouldn’t want to have to get reviews for two different Profiles anyway.

5. If you want your address publicly displayed on your listing, you MUST have signage. For example, a business sign on your lawn or your door.

If you don’t have a sign and don’t want your address displayed, you can still video verify by offering other proofs of legitimacy:

- street signs near your house
- address number at your entrance
- video of you unlocking the door and entering your home
- business cards, marketing materials, etc.
- video of your workspace showing you accessing your booking system, the company’s website, social media profiles, etc.