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Top 10 Google My Business Mistakes That Are Hurting Your Local SEO (And How to Fix Them in 2025)

devangSharma@STVPS 0

Let’s be real for a second…

If you’re a local business owner, you’ve probably claimed your Google Business Profile (previously called Google My Business), right? ✅

But here’s the catch — just setting it up isn’t enough anymore.

At EvaraMyBiz, we talk to business owners every day who feel invisible online. Their store’s amazing, their service is top-notch, but they’re not showing up on Google Maps or in local searches.

Why? Simple mistakes. Honest ones. And the worst part? Most of them don’t even realize it’s happening.

So today, let’s fix that.

Here are the top 10 Google Business Profile mistakes we see in 2025 — and exactly how to fix them before they hurt your local SEO any further.


1. ❌ Leaving Your Profile Half-Filled

You wouldn’t leave your shop’s signboard blank, right? So why leave your Google profile half-empty?

Things like business hours, your website link, or even service descriptions often get skipped — and it costs you in rankings.

How to Fix It:
Fill every single section. Write a solid business description, list all your services, and make sure your contact info is correct.

Use keywords naturally. Example:

“Expert digital branding solutions in Jaipur” or
“Local SEO strategies for small businesses”

📍 Pro Tip: Mention your city or local area. Google loves that.


2. ❌ Not Responding to Reviews

We get it — reviews can be overwhelming. But trust us, ignoring them does more harm than good.

People trust businesses that actually talk to their customers — especially on Google.

How to Fix It:
Reply to every single review — even the not-so-nice ones. Be kind. Be real.

🌟 Ask happy customers to leave a review. You can send a quick follow-up via WhatsApp or even display a cute little “Review Us” QR code at your shop.

💡 EvaraMyBiz Insight: Offer a small incentive — like 10% off their next visit — for honest reviews. It works.


3. ❌ Keyword Stuffing Gone Wild

“Best top cheap Jaipur service now instant urgent SEO.”
Sounds familiar? Yeah… Google hates that.

How to Fix It:
Use keywords like a human. Keep it simple and relevant.
✅ Instead of: “Jaipur best digital SEO Google My Business service”
💬 Say: “Google Business Profile optimization services in Jaipur — tailored to your brand.”


4. ❌ Picking the Wrong Business Category

This one’s sneaky. You might think you picked the right category, but if it’s off, you’re showing up in the wrong searches.

How to Fix It:
Go into your profile settings and double-check your Primary Category. Then add 1–2 Secondary Categories that cover your other services.

🎯 Example:
If you’re a makeup artist, choose “Make-Up Artist” as primary and “Beauty Salon” or “Bridal Shop” as secondary.


5. ❌ No Regular Posts = You Look Inactive

Google loves active businesses. No updates? No love.

How to Fix It:
Post once or twice a week. Share what’s new, behind-the-scenes stuff, offers, or even customer stories.

📢 Try this:

“🎉 We’re now offering FREE Google Business Profile audits at EvaraMyBiz! Book yours and get found faster!”

It keeps your profile fresh and boosts your engagement.


6. ❌ Your Profile Has No (or Bad) Photos

Would you visit a restaurant online with blurry pics or no photos? Exactly.

How to Fix It:
Upload bright, high-quality images of your store, team, happy customers (with permission), and your products or services.

📸 Businesses with great photos get more clicks and calls. Period.

🧩 EvaraMyBiz includes photo optimization in our free GBP audits — because visuals make or break first impressions.


7. ❌ Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone)

Your NAP info must be exactly the same everywhere — website, social media, listings, etc.

Even small differences confuse Google. For example:
“123, MG Road” vs. “123 Mahatma Gandhi Rd” can mess things up.

How to Fix It:
Use one standard format and stick to it everywhere.
Copy-paste it across platforms to avoid typos or mismatches.


8. ❌ Messaging Is Disabled

If people can’t message you from your Google listing, you might be missing leads. Especially for those “I need this now!” moments.

How to Fix It:
Turn on messaging in your profile settings.
Then, keep your response time quick — ideally within an hour.

💬 Tip: Save some pre-written replies for common questions like pricing, hours, or location.


9. ❌ Never Checking Google Insights

Your Google Business Profile has built-in analytics — and if you’re not using them, you’re flying blind.

How to Fix It:
Check your profile insights weekly. It’ll show you:

  • How many views you’re getting
  • Which keywords people used to find you
  • What actions they took (calls, website clicks, direction requests)

📊 This helps you tweak and improve your local SEO game.


10. ❌ Trying to Do It All Alone

Managing a business is already a lot. Add SEO, reviews, content, and analytics — and it can get overwhelming fast.

How to Fix It:
Let professionals handle it. At EvaraMyBiz, we specialize in Google Business Profile optimization — and we’re currently offering a FREE audit for new clients.

🛠️ We’ll check:

  • Your current SEO health
  • Missed opportunities
  • Keyword use
  • Image quality
  • Review performance
  • Competitive standing

📌 It’s 100% free — no strings, just real insights.


🔁 Quick Recap: Mistakes You Can Avoid Today

❌ Mistake💥 Why It’s a Problem✅ Fix
Incomplete InfoLower rankingsFill every field
No Review RepliesMissed trust signalsReply + request
Keyword StuffingSEO penaltyUse keywords naturally
Wrong CategoryWrong audienceChoose correct one
No PostsProfile looks deadPost weekly
Bad or No PhotosPoor engagementUpload great pics
NAP InconsistencyConfuses GoogleStandardize info
Messaging OffLost leadsTurn it on
No Insights ReviewNo data-driven strategyCheck weekly
No Expert HelpMissed growthGet a free audit

👋 Final Thoughts

Your Google Business Profile isn’t just a listing — it’s your digital shopfront. It can either bring you customers on autopilot… or keep you buried under your competitors.

The difference?
Avoiding these small but costly mistakes — and showing up the way your audience (and Google) wants you to.


📞 Need Help? We Got You.

📍 Visit EvaraMyBiz
💬 Or message us on WhatsApp with:
“Hi, I want a free Google Business Profile audit.”

We’ll help you find what’s holding you back — and get you climbing that local SEO ladder 🚀


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