Google & Maps
Why Your Business Isn't Showing Up on Google Maps
Lake Kincaid, Reven Marketing · · 6 min read
You search for what you do in your town. Your competitors show up on the map. You don't. Here are the most common reasons, and what to do about each one.
1. You don't have a Google Business Profile, or it isn't verified
Without a verified profile, you basically don't exist on Maps. Create one at business.google.com and complete verification. Google may ask for a short video showing your business, your signage or your work vehicle.
2. Your profile is incomplete
A half-finished profile loses to a complete one. Fill in everything:
- The right primary category (this is huge) and a few secondary ones
- Services with short descriptions
- Hours, including holiday hours
- Service areas if you go to customers
- Photos of real work, your team and your vehicles
- A clear business description
3. Your info doesn't match across the internet
If your phone number on Yelp is different from Google, or your old address still shows on Facebook, Google trusts your business less. Make your name, address, phone and hours match everywhere.
4. You have fewer reviews than the businesses around you
Reviews are one of the biggest ranking factors on Maps. If competitors have 80 reviews and you have 6, you have to close the gap with a steady review system.
5. Your profile looks inactive
Google favors businesses that are clearly open and active. Post updates and photos regularly, answer questions, and reply to reviews.
6. You're searching from the wrong spot
Maps results depend heavily on where the searcher is. You may rank well near your shop and not across town. Your service area, local website pages and reviews from customers in those areas help you show up in more places.
7. Your website isn't helping
Google looks at your website too. A fast, phone-friendly site with a page for each service and each area you serve, with every page indexed, gives Google a lot more to work with.
