Happy Sunday Folks.

Whether you have a brick and mortar store or a services industry business, your location can be important. In fact, it can be the most important decision a business owner makes.  We all know this, right?

Online business can be perceived as different because it is virtual property. International business, national and/or local considerations go out the window and many websites/blogs don’t bother with the physical location(s) of the biz or the people involved.

So the question is this — If your business is online only, do you need to have the city/state/province listed on the contact page or anywhere on the website/blog?

If YES – Why do you think it is important?

If NO – What would the location project that would be unacceptable?

Finally – Do you have your biz’ (actual) physical location on your website and/or blog? 

@supereb I do not have a physical location; however I would at minimum list “Washington DC Metro” on my website. It is also what I use on LinkedIn (vs. my actual town of Herndon VA). Being near a major metro area is definitely helpful  

HI @annfurnivall
 

Many moons ago I worked for folks all over the place and not just in the U.S., but times change.  Now, many business owners have been burned by hiring people they cannot shake hands with other than virtually.

Now, a lot of my business is local and has been for the last 5 years or so. I do still have quite a few long distance folks who come to me, but the big deals seem go be all local. It really does make a difference for potential clients, especially if you have never published a book, or been on TV or had any sort of notoriety.  

I also like being able to have meetings face to face with clients.  You get a real feel of personality, character, and biz acumen which helps determine how you will work together.

I held my OH!pinion until you folks had a chance to chime in but I believe that ‘local’ business associations have been around for a lot longer than Google and the web.  I’m sure you agree.  

Just like  the swallows coming home to Capistrano, people now know they can get locally what used to be only available at a distance – knowledgeable people and services for whom the web has been a long time playground.

Eileen  

HI @stevecurran   

This is my very first consideration when visiting a new website – what is the location of the biz and/or persons involved, just as you stated you always want to know.

Giving that information, right up front, either with text or an image can dispel any worries to a visitor, whether they are in the U.S. or not. It shows you are real, your company is real and that you want people to know this so they can be sure you are not some fly-by-night or scheme/fraudulent business. 

If I cannot find a location for a website that offers good or services, I move along to someplace else.  About the only thing that can keep me there are a lot of great testimonials but if I don’t find a location, I am still skeptical.

So, as this is an important factor to me, I assume it is important to other folks too, when they are looking for services/goods. 

Eileen 

Hi @stevecurran 

It’s also a real boost to local SEO.  Even if you are in all the local directories, that location can have a big impact if handled correctly.

Eileen