Many business owners end up asking themselves, “Why isn’t my business showing up on Google Maps?” It’s frustrating when you know that you have a good business, but customers aren’t able to find your business when they search on Google Maps.
Luckily, getting your business to rank on Google Maps requires just a little bit of attention, intention, and commitment.
1. Your Google Business Profile Isn’t Claimed
If your business isn’t showing up on Google Maps, the very first thing to check is that it is actually listed on Google Maps. Contrary to popular belief, Google doesn’t auto-populate businesses in the area. You, as the business owner, need to claim your Google Business Profile.
If you haven’t done so, the reason that nobody is able to find your business is there’s nothing to find.
Click here to find the full steps for claiming your Google Business Profile.
It’s a fairly simple process, but it may take a few days for Google to approve your request. Once your business profile is approved, you can go on to the next steps.
2. Your Business Information Is Incomplete
Google Maps showcases businesses with complete and accurate information above businesses with incomplete or potentially incorrect information. That means that if your business has a missing website link, a link to a dead page, no store hours, or no address or service area, your business is going to be shown below every single other business that does have that information.
Once your Google Business Profile is created, go through and fill out as much information as you possibly can. The more information you can provide, the better.
3. Your Business Looks Inactive
When was the last time that your business posted an update, uploaded photos, or put a special on Google Maps? If the answer is never, then that just may be why your business is not ranking on Google Maps.
Google says in the business account setup that businesses that upload photos have 2x greater visits than businesses with no photos.
If your business isn’t being found, take the time to make a post on Google. Make a new one every couple of weeks. Take the time to upload new business photos at least every month. All of these interactions let Google know that you have a thriving business, and they will direct more users to you.
4. You Don’t Respond to Google Reviews
If you have reviews under your business profile that are going unanswered, you’re hurting your business. Businesses that respond to reviews, good and bad, receive more views than businesses that do not.
Additionally, you can leave comments in your replies that will let Google have a better understanding of what your business does. For example, a mechanic that replies to a review with, “Thank you for the great review! We love the opportunity to fix up your car anytime. Make sure to swing by the next time you need an oil change!” lets Google know that their business is a good one to show when somebody searches “oil change near me.”
If there are any reviews on your business page that are unanswered, think through the best way to reply to them, and then get to typing!
5. Your Competitors Have More Reviews and a Higher Average Rating Than You
The final reason that your business isn’t showing up on Google Maps is that your competitors have more reviews and a higher average rating than your business.
Businesses with a lot of very high ratings are going to be placed above businesses with fewer reviews and lower ratings. That’s a trust signal that Google uses to push the best businesses forward.
If you’re having trouble getting reviews, keep a lookout for our comprehensive guide for getting more Google reviews.
Need a Second Opinion on Your Google Business Profile?
If you want a free audit on your Google Business Profile’s health, take our Google Business Profile Health Check. It takes less than a minute to fill out, and it will give you some great insight into what to do next to help your business get in front of your customers.
