Hey there, small business owner! If you’re running a local shop, restaurant, or service-based business, you’ve probably heard about Google My Business (GMB). It’s that nifty free tool from Google that helps your business show up when someone searches for “coffee shop near me” or “plumber in [your city].” Sounds simple, right? But here’s the thing: a lot of businesses are leaving money on the table by making avoidable mistakes with their GMB profiles. Don’t worry, though—your friends at Evara are here to spill the tea on the five most common GMB slip-ups and how we swoop in to save the day.

Mistake #1: Leaving Your GMB Profile Half-Baked

Picture this: you’re craving a pizza, so you Google “pizza near me.” You see a listing for a local joint, but when you click, the profile has no photos, no hours, and a generic description that could apply to any pizzeria. Do you trust it? Probably not. A lot of businesses set up their GMB profile and then… forget about it. It’s like baking a cake but forgetting the frosting—it’s just not complete!

Why It’s a Problem: An incomplete GMB profile screams “unprofessional” to potential customers. Google also prioritizes fully optimized profiles in search results. If you’re missing key details like your business hours, services, or photos, you’re less likely to show up in the coveted “local pack” (those top three results with the map).

How Evara Fixes It: At Evara, we treat your GMB profile like it’s our own business. We dive in and make sure every section is filled out—business description, categories, attributes, you name it. We’ll add high-quality photos of your storefront, products, or team to make your listing pop. We even double-check that your hours are accurate, including special holiday hours, so customers don’t show up when you’re closed. One of our clients, a local bakery, saw a 30% increase in foot traffic after we spruced up their profile with mouthwatering photos and detailed service info. Trust us, a complete profile is your ticket to standing out.

Mistake #2: Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) Data

Okay, let’s talk about NAP—Name, Address, Phone number. It sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many businesses have different versions of their NAP across the web. Maybe your GMB says “123 Main St.” but your website says “123 Main Street.” Or your phone number has an old area code on Yelp. This inconsistency is like telling Google, “Hey, I’m not sure who I am!”

Why It’s a Problem: Google loves consistency. When your NAP details don’t match across platforms, it confuses Google’s algorithm, which can tank your local search rankings. Worse, it frustrates customers who might call a wrong number or show up at an old address.

How Evara Fixes It: We’re like detectives when it comes to NAP. Evara audits your business info across GMB, your website, social media, and directories like Yelp or Yellow Pages. We make sure everything matches down to the last comma. For one of our clients, a family-owned gym, we found three different addresses floating around online. After cleaning things up, their GMB ranking jumped, and they started getting more calls from new members. We’ll keep your NAP tight and tidy so Google (and your customers) can find you without a hitch.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Customer Reviews

Reviews are the lifeblood of your GMB profile, but some businesses treat them like an afterthought. Either they don’t respond to reviews at all, or they only reply to the bad ones with a defensive “You’re wrong!” vibe. I get it—dealing with reviews can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re busy running a business.

Why It’s a Problem: Reviews aren’t just for customers; they’re a huge ranking factor for Google. Businesses with more (and recent) reviews tend to rank higher. Plus, how you respond to reviews shows potential customers whether you care. Ignoring a glowing 5-star review is a missed opportunity to build trust, and mishandling a negative one can turn off prospects.

How Evara Fixes It: Evara has your back with a review management strategy that’s all about authenticity. We help you craft personalized, professional responses to every review—yes, even the not-so-great ones. For a local coffee shop we worked with, we set up a system to encourage happy customers to leave reviews and coached the owner on responding thoughtfully. Within three months, their review count doubled, and their GMB profile climbed to the top of local searches. We’ll also show you how to politely ask for reviews without being pushy, turning your customers into your biggest cheerleaders.

Mistake #4: Forgetting to Post on GMB

Did you know you can post updates on GMB, just like on social media? A lot of businesses don’t realize this or think it’s not worth the effort. But skipping GMB posts is like ignoring a free billboard in the middle of Google’s search results.

Why It’s a Problem: GMB posts (like promotions, events, or new product announcements) keep your profile fresh and engaging. Google rewards active profiles, and posts can drive clicks and conversions. Without them, you’re missing out on a chance to connect with customers who are already searching for you.

How Evara Fixes It: Evara turns your GMB into a storytelling machine. We create eye-catching posts that highlight your latest offers, events, or news—think “Buy One, Get One Free” deals or “Join Our Grand Opening!” We helped a retail client post weekly specials on GMB, which led to a 20% uptick in website clicks. We’ll work with you to plan a content calendar that keeps your profile buzzing without adding to your to-do list.

Mistake #5: Choosing the Wrong GMB Categories

When you set up your GMB profile, you pick a primary category (like “Restaurant” or “Plumber”) and maybe a few secondary ones. Sounds simple, but picking the wrong categories—or not updating them as your business evolves—can hurt your visibility.

Why It’s a Problem: Categories tell Google what your business is all about. If you’re a bakery listed as a generic “Food Service,” you’re not going to show up when someone searches for “bakery near me.” It’s like wearing the wrong nametag at a networking event.

How Evara Fixes It: We dig deep to find the most relevant and specific categories for your business. For a client who ran a pet grooming salon, we switched their primary category from “Pet Store” to “Pet Groomer,” and their local rankings soared. Evara also keeps an eye on new category options Google rolls out, so your profile stays ahead of the curve. We make sure your business is labeled right, so the right customers find you.

Let Evara Take Your GMB to the Next Level

Running a business is hard enough without worrying about Google My Business pitfalls. That’s where Evara comes in. We’re passionate about helping local businesses like yours shine online, and we know GMB inside and out. Whether it’s polishing your profile, fixing NAP issues, managing reviews, posting updates, or nailing the perfect categories, we’ve got the tools and know-how to make your business stand out in local searches.

Ready to stop making these GMB mistakes and start seeing results? Reach out to Evara today, and let’s get your Google My Business profile working as hard as you do. Your customers (and Google) will thank you!