Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is one of the most powerful search engine marketing tools for getting found online, especially for local businesses. It’s often the first thing potential customers see when they search for your business name, services, or even “near me” keywords.
Here’s the problem: most businesses set up their profile once and never touch it again, or they unintentionally make mistakes that hurt their visibility, credibility, and leads.
If you’re wondering why your business isn’t showing up in local search results,or why competitors seem to outrank you, you might be making one (or more) of these common Google Business Profile mistakes.
Let’s fix that together.
1. Your Profile Isn’t Fully Completed
A half-finished profile tells Google and your customers that your business isn’t active or trustworthy.
Common missing pieces include:
- Business hours
- Contact information
- Relevant website & social media links
- A defined service area
- Business description
- Descriptions of products or services
- Authentic photos of your business
- Key attributes (like “Women-owned” or “Wheelchair accessible”)
✅ How to fix it: Fill out every section Google gives you. The more complete your profile is, the more likely Google is to show it in relevant searches.
2. You Picked the Wrong Business Categories
Your category selection is one of the biggest ranking factors for local SEO. A lot of businesses choose a category that’s too broad or not accurate just because it “sounds right.”
For example:
- Choosing “Consultant” instead of “Marketing Agency”
- Choosing “Contractor” instead of “Roofing Contractor”
- Choosing “Restaurant” instead of “Mexican Restaurant”
✅ How to fix it: Choose the most specific primary category possible, then add additional categories that match your services.
3. Your Business Name Includes Extra Keywords
Adding keywords to your business name like:
“Smith Plumbing | Best Emergency Plumber in Dallas” might feel like a clever SEO hack, but it’s actually against Google’s guidelines.
This can lead to:
- Suspensions
- Ranking drops
- Profile edits by Google or users
✅ How to fix it: Use your real-world business name exactly as it appears on your storefront, website, and legal documents.
4. Your Hours Are Wrong (Or Outdated)
Customers hate showing up to a closed business and Google notices when people bounce or report incorrect info.
Wrong hours can lead to:
- Lost trust
- Fewer calls
- Negative reviews
✅ How to fix it: Update your regular hours AND add special hours for holidays, events, or seasonal changes.
5. You Aren’t Posting Updates
Google Business Profile posts are like mini social updates that can improve engagement and keep your profile active. Most businesses never post, which is a missed opportunity to promote:
- Special offers
- New services
- Seasonal promotions
- Blog content
- Events
✅ How to fix it: Post at least 1x per week, even if it’s simple.
6. You’re Ignoring Reviews (Or Not Responding)
Reviews are a major trust factor and they can influence your rankings too.
Not responding makes it look like:
- You don’t care
- You’re not paying attention
- You’re not professional
✅ How to fix it: Respond to every review (yes, even the negative ones). Keep it short, professional, and helpful.
7. Your Photos Are Low Quality (Or You Have None)
Google Business Profiles with strong visuals tend to get more clicks, calls, and direction requests. If your profile photos are blurry, outdated or missing entirely, people may skip over you for a competitor.
The photos on your business profile should consist of:
- Exterior + interior shots
- Your team
- Your work/results
- Products
- Before-and-after images
✅ How to fix it: Upload fresh, high-quality photos monthly.
8. Your Services Aren’t Listed Clearly
Many businesses forget to add services, or they add vague ones that don’t match what people search.
For example:
- “General services”
- “Quality work”
- “Customer support”
While they might help in the sense of closing a sale, these don’t help Google understand what you do, which hurts your profile’s visibility.
✅ How to fix it: Add service names that match real search terms.
9. Your Business Info Doesn’t Match Everywhere Else
Google wants consistency. If your name, address, or phone number doesn’t match across the web, it can hurt your rankings. This is called NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone).
Common mismatches:
- Old phone numbers on directories
- Different abbreviations (Ste vs Suite)
Old addresses still showing online
✅ How to fix it: Audit your listings and update them everywhere.
Quick Checklist: Is Your Google Business Profile Helping or Hurting You?
Here’s a fast way to check if your profile is optimized:
✅ Fully completed profile
✅ Correct primary category
✅ Accurate hours + holiday hours
✅ Weekly posts
✅ Consistent business info across the web
✅ New photos uploaded regularly
✅ Reviews responded to
✅ Services and products added
✅ Website link goes to the best page
✅ No keyword stuffing in business name
Ready to Improve Your Online Visibility?
If your Google Business Profile isn’t bringing in calls and customers, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Want to know your brand’s biggest challenges with AI search visibility? Check out Katava+ today! Katava+ is the only AI marketing strategy tool built with 20 years of marketing expertise. You will gain immediate insights on your brand’s marketing performance with a personalized action plan on how to overcome your biggest marketing challenges.
📍 Let’s optimize your profile and get you found.
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