What to do when your business looks invisible on Google

By Gaurav belani

You know that when you do your business Google and … nothing, you feel drowning? Not on the first page. Not on another. Perhaps not even the third. Meanwhile, your competitors are there, front and center.

This is disappointing. Especially when you Know You are doing good work and just want people to find you.

Good news? This is fine. You are not invisible, Google does not yet have enough signs to trust you. Let’s change it.

Why you are not showing (yet)

Google does not hate your business. This is not just enough about you. Think like a customer around the city: “Hey, do you know a good plumber in the area?” If someone is not talking about you, or if the information is everywhere, you are not getting recommended.

Here are some things that can catch you back:

• Your business name or information is different in directors
• You have not received very little or any online review
• Your website clearly does not say where you are or what you do
• Your competitors are only giving Google more to work

You do not need to be right, just more consistent and complete than you.

Start from your Google Business Profile

This is your foundation. If it is missing, incomplete, or old, whatever you do will not matter much. Your Google Business Profile is one that results in the map when people find “near me”.

Make sure:

• Your business name, address and phone numbers are accurate
• Your hours are correct (especially on holidays)
• You upload some real pictures
• You are actively collected and responding to reviews
• You have selected the correct categories for your business

It takes less than an hour to update it. This is one of the fastest ways to promote your visibility.

Check your online listing (they can get a mess)

You will be surprised how many businesses around the web have 3 or 4 different addresses. Or maybe a site says you are closed on Sunday, while the other says you are open. Such an incompatible search confuses engines and customers.

Search a quick Google for your business and skim the top results. Anywhere your information is wrong and fix it. See like things:

• bark
• yellow Pages
• Binga place
• Apple map
• Local directory for your industry

Tip: Always copy and paste your business name, address and phone number, every time, even small differences.

Your website may be sending mixed signals

Sometimes the issue is not visibility, it is clarity. Your website needs to help both Google And Real people understand what you do and where you do it.

ask yourself:

• Is it clear what you offer and who you serve?
• Do you naturally mention your location on the entire site?
• Does it work well on mobile?
• Is it fast to load?

You do not need to convert it into a huge SEO project. Just make sure that it is clean, simple and relevant. And if you want help, there are professionals who are experts of local SEO services that can solve it without your site disturbances.

Review more than what you think

Here’s the matter: Review is much higher than promoting your ego. They help rely on Google, and they help new customers feel convinced by giving you a shot.

Start asking happy customers to leave a quick review. Uproot it. Send them a small message like:

“Thanks again for choosing us, would you like to leave a quick Google review? Here’s the link!

Make it easy. Do not expect everyone to do this, but even some concrete reviews can create a big difference.

And yes, you should answer them, even strange.

Write a little local ingredients (it’s not fancy)

If blogging seems heavy, don’t worry, you do not need to be a writer. You just need to say some useful things about your service and your local area.

Some easy ideas:

• A “before and after you had a nearby suburb”
• Seasonal tips for homeowners in your area
• General questions you hear from local customers

Such material tells Google, “Hey, this business is real and relevant to the people of this region.”

It does not need to be polished. It only needs to be honest and useful.

Be a little active on social media

It is optional, but helpful. An active Facebook or Instagram page can strengthen that you are a valid, current business. Post once or twice a week. It could have been:

• A recent job
• A rear view photo
• A quick tip
• Shout a customer

Even a little activity shows life. This helps potential customers to trust you, and when they trust you, they click. It sends a positive signal back to Google.

One last thing: don’t fall for “immediate results”

There is one here Very Blog posts and youtube promise rapid results in videos. Most of them are either nonsense or old. The truth is that showing in the search leads to some continuity and care, but it works.

So do not chase the gimmick. Do the basics well:

• Fix your listing
• Keep your Google profile fresh
• Ask for review
• Add useful information to your site

You won’t see miracles overnight, but in a few weeks or months, you can simply go to yourself and see what you are expecting: Your business, there on page one.

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