UPDATING YOUR ADDRESS AFTER A MOVE
Updating your business address after a move is a top priority. The same holds true if you recently just got a brick and mortar, or opened a new office location! First, it is critical that customers have accurate information when trying to contact your business. Secondly, NAP consistency is a top factor in local searching ranking results. NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone. If you’ve recently moved a business address, it’s time to get to work!
PRIORITIZE AND CONQUER
If you’ve recently moved to a new location, there are a few priority items that should be tended to ASAP. Update any paper contracts, digital contracts and email signatures. Anywhere that your address appears in print or digital documents should get updated. It may also be necessary to send out an email to customers and vendors if you receive payments via mail. They will need to update the address those payments are issued and mailed into. You’ll have to update credit cards and other accounts as well.
UPDATING YOUR BUSINESS ADDRESS ONLINE
Start by updating your address on your website. Then update the obvious online sites, focusing on the priority ones that customers use to find and contact your business most frequently.
- Google Business
- Bing Places
- BBB
- Social media
- Yelp / Mapquest
These sites should all be a priority. These updates can be done as soon as you can physically receive mail at the new location in some scenarios. If you’re a service-based business that doesn’t have customers visit an office or store, do the updates asap. If you DO have customers come to your location, wait until you’re ready for business. The address updates can take time to reflect, so it’s important to check back often until the updates are live.
Don’t be surprised if Google Business and Bing Places require a new postcard verification (or two). Your old address may show, despite post card verifying, and you may need to do a 2nd post card. With Bing Places, the App can sometimes streamline the process.
TACKLE THE REST
Search! Search across the web using your old address and your business phone number. Any listing that comes up in search results has to be documented and updated. Create a list or spreadsheet to document the website and the update date. It’s important to circle back and verify that the update has taken effect and is showing live. Keep track of any logins and passwords as well. The goal is to update any and all listings to accurately reflect your current business address.
If you are planning a move it is important to plan to update the address across the web as soon as you can physically receive mail at the new location. If you need support for address updates, contact us today!
