7 Google Business Profile Mistakes That Are Costing You Customers
Lewis Cowan
The Bee Seen Company
The Most Overlooked Marketing Asset You Already Have
Your Google Business Profile is free, powerful, and - for most businesses - almost completely ignored after the initial setup. Here are the seven biggest mistakes I see again and again. If you want to understand what local SEO actually is, start there first.
1. Wrong or Incomplete Information
Double-check your hours, phone number, and address right now. If even one of these is wrong, you're sending customers away before they've even arrived.
2. No Photos (or Terrible Photos)
Profiles with photos get 42% more requests for directions. Add photos of your premises, your team, your work, and your products. Good photos build trust before anyone even contacts you.
3. Choosing the Wrong Category
Your primary category is one of the most important ranking factors in local search. If you're a plumber who's categorised as a "Home Goods Store," you're fighting an uphill battle. This ties directly into your broader local SEO service strategy.
4. Not Posting Regularly
Google Posts are essentially free advertising on your Google profile. A weekly post about your services, offers, or news keeps your profile fresh and signals to Google that you're active.
5. Ignoring Reviews
Not responding to reviews - good or bad - is a missed opportunity. Respond to every single one. Thank positive reviewers genuinely. Address negative reviews calmly and professionally. Don't just take my word for it - see what my clients say.
6. Not Asking for Reviews
Your happy customers aren't going to leave a review unless you ask them. Create a simple process for requesting reviews - a follow-up email, a QR code at your premises, or a link on your receipts.
7. Using a Keyword-Stuffed Business Name
Adding keywords to your business name (e.g., "Bob's Plumbing | Best Plumber Glasgow") violates Google's guidelines and can get your profile suspended. Your name should be your actual business name.
Need Help?
If your Google Business Profile isn't performing the way you need it to, I offer a free profile audit. I'll tell you exactly what's working and what needs fixing.