Guide
Why isn't my business showing on Google?
Usually one of three things. Google has no verified Business Profile for you, it does not think you match what people are searching for, or businesses closer to the person searching look better known than yours.
Google says local results come down mainly to relevance, distance and prominence. You cannot move your business, but you can work on the other two. Google's own explanation.
First, a quick test
Search Google for your exact business name.
- If your business appears with a panel showing your details, Google knows you exist. Your problem is ranking for searches like "plumber near me", so start at reason 2.
- If nothing appears, Google has no public profile for you, or it is unverified or suspended. Start at reason 1.
The reasons, in the order we would check them
1. You do not have a verified Business Profile
The map results and the business panel come from Google Business Profiles, and Google says verifying your business makes it more likely to show up. A website on its own will not put you on the map.
What to do: Go to Google Business Profile, search for your business, then claim it or create it and follow the verification steps. Google only lists businesses that meet customers in person, at your premises or theirs. If you work from home, you can hide your address and list the areas you cover instead.
2. Your profile is incomplete or out of date
Google says businesses with complete and accurate details are more likely to show in local results, and that inaccurate details can stop a profile appearing for relevant searches.
What to do: Check the category says exactly what you do (Plumber, not Contractor), then your hours, phone number, website, service areas, and a description in plain words. Add real photos of your work.
3. The person searching is too far away
Distance is how far each business is from the person searching, and it is the one thing you cannot change. The business on their street will usually beat you for their search, and you will beat them on yours. That is normal, not a fault.
What to do: Set your service areas honestly. If you cover several towns, say so clearly on your website, and only give a town its own page when you have something real to say about working there.
4. Other businesses have more reviews
Prominence is how well known a business is. Google says it includes how many reviews you have, and that more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking.
47% will not consider a business with fewer than 20 reviews. BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey
What to do: Ask every customer, the same way, on the day the job finishes. Never offer anything in return: Google does not allow it, and asking only the happy customers is against its rules too.
Free: make a review QR code, a card to print and a message to send
5. Your details do not match across the web
If your website, your profile and directory listings disagree about your business name, address or phone number, it is harder for Google, and for customers, to be sure they are all the same business.
What to do: Pick one version of each and use it everywhere, down to how the street name is written.
6. Your website is not backing you up
Google counts how many websites link to your business as part of prominence, and your own site is where customers check you out before they call. A site that is slow on a phone, hides the phone number, never says where you work, or tells Google to stay away works against everything else.
That last one is more common than it sounds. A single WordPress setting, "Discourage search engines", tells Google to ignore the whole site, and it is easy to leave switched on after a site is built.
What to do: Run the free check at the bottom of this page. It runs 38 checks on your site and explains each problem it finds in plain English.
7. The profile is new, suspended or duplicated
Google does not publish how long a new profile takes to appear, so there is no point waiting on a number somebody quotes you. Look at the profile in your Business Profile dashboard instead: a suspended profile says so there, and a second copy of your business splits your reviews between two listings.
What to do: Fix whatever the dashboard reports, and ask Google to merge or remove a duplicate. Extra keywords stuffed into the business name, and virtual office addresses, are common reasons for suspension.
Questions people ask
Can I pay Google to put my business higher on Maps?
No. Google says there is no way to request or pay for a better local ranking. You can pay for adverts, which are marked as sponsored, but that does not change where your profile ranks.
How long does it take to appear on Google?
Google does not publish a timescale. Verification comes first, and new profiles and websites take a while to be picked up. If it has been a while with nothing, check the profile’s status in your Business Profile dashboard rather than waiting.
Why do I appear when I search my name, but not for my trade?
Because Google knows you exist, but for a search like "plumber near me" it picks the businesses that best match the search, are closest to the person searching and are best known. That is a ranking problem, so work through reasons 2 to 6 above.
Do I need a website to show on Google Maps?
No. A Business Profile can appear without one. But Google counts links from other websites towards how well known you are, and a website gives customers somewhere to check you out before they call.
Check your website free
38 checks, no signup, and the results appear on screen.
Where this comes from: Google Business Profile Help, tips to improve your local ranking, and its tips to get more reviews.