Google My Business (GMB) is an essential tool for local businesses to gain visibility and connect with potential customers. However, many business owners face challenges when using the platform. Whether it’s technical glitches, visibility problems, or verification issues, navigating Google My Business can be frustrating at times. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common issues business owners face and how to resolve them.

1. Business Listing Not Appearing on Google Search or Maps

One of the most common problems is when your business listing isn’t showing up on Google search results or Google Maps, despite being verified. This can occur due to several reasons:

• Incomplete Information: Ensure that your GMB profile is fully filled out. Google values completeness and accuracy, so make sure all sections, including business hours, address, contact details, and categories, are complete.
• Verification Issues: If you haven’t completed the verification process, your business won’t show up. Make sure to verify your listing by following the steps in your GMB account, such as receiving a postcard or opting for phone or email verification.

2. Wrong Business Information Displayed

If Google is displaying incorrect information about your business, such as an old phone number or wrong business hours, it can confuse potential customers. Here’s what you can do:

• Edit Your Listing: Log in to your GMB account and click on “Info.” From there, you can update business details like your phone number, address, and hours of operation.
• Check for Duplicate Listings: Sometimes duplicate listings are created, causing discrepancies in the information shown. To fix this, claim and delete any duplicates that are not in use.

3. Customer Reviews Not Showing Up

Customer reviews play a significant role in your business’s reputation and online visibility. However, reviews sometimes fail to appear, which can be frustrating. Here’s what to do:

• Check Google’s Review Policy: Google filters reviews that violate their policies. Ensure that your reviews don’t contain prohibited content (e.g., spam or offensive language).
• Encourage Reviews: Send reminders to your satisfied customers to leave reviews on your Google profile. Make sure to do this ethically by following Google’s guidelines for soliciting reviews.

4. Photos Not Uploading or Displaying Properly

High-quality photos are a crucial part of your GMB listing, helping customers get a better understanding of your products or services. If your photos aren’t uploading or displaying properly, follow these tips:

• Check File Size and Format: Google has specific size and format requirements for photos. Ensure your images are in JPG or PNG format and are no larger than 5MB.
• Use Google’s Photo Guidelines: Ensure the images you upload meet Google’s standards. Avoid using stock photos or irrelevant images, as they may be rejected.

5. Google My Business Listing Suspended

Sometimes, businesses may find their Google My Business listing suspended, which can be a significant setback. Suspensions usually happen due to violations of Google’s policies or mistakes during the verification process.

• Review Google’s Guidelines: Make sure you’re following all of Google’s business listing guidelines. Check for any violations, such as having an incomplete or inaccurate listing.
• Appeal the Suspension: If your listing was suspended in error, you can file an appeal directly through your GMB account. Provide all the requested information and follow up with Google support if necessary.

6. Changing Business Category or Name

You may want to change your business category or name to better reflect your services, but doing so can lead to issues with your listing. Here’s how to manage it:

• Avoid Frequent Changes: Google frowns upon frequent edits to your business name or category. Make sure any changes are genuine and necessary.
• Check for Category Availability: Not all business categories are available in all locations. Be sure to check Google’s category options before making changes.

Conclusion

Google My Business is a powerful tool for increasing your online presence, but it comes with its own set of challenges. By understanding the common issues and following the steps to resolve them, you can ensure that your GMB profile works effectively for your business. Always keep your business information up-to-date, engage with reviews, and follow Google’s guidelines to avoid potential issues in the future.

If you continue to experience difficulties with your Google My Business profile, don’t hesitate to reach out to Google support for further assistance.