3 Quick Fixes to Help Your Local Business Show Up on Google | CGL Marketing – CGL Marketing

3 Quick Fixes to Help Your Local Business Show Up on Google

Your customers are searching, here’s how to make sure they actually find you.

If you’ve ever wondered why your business isn’t showing up when someone searches “services near me,” you’re not alone. One of the most common frustrations I hear from small, service-based business owners is:

“We’re doing great work, but we’re invisible online.”

The good news? You don’t need a big budget or a background in tech to start showing up more consistently, just a few focused steps to help Google connect your business with the people already searching for what you offer.

Here are three practical fixes you can make today to improve your visibility in local search results.

Check Your Google Business Profile

An outdated or incomplete Google Business Profile (GBP) could be why local customers aren’t finding you, and you’re missing a significant opportunity to be seen by them.

GBP is the box that appears when someone searches for your business name, or for something like “real estate agent near me” or “best massage therapist in [your city]”. It’s free, and Google uses it to pull information into both local results and AI-powered answers.

Here’s what to check first:

Is your business name entered exactly as it appears on signage or legal documents?
Address is accurate and matches official business records
Service area is specific to the cities or neighborhoods served (avoid selecting “United States”)
Are your hours, services, and contact info up to date?
Do you have at least one high-quality photo uploaded?
Have you added a clear business description that includes your city or neighborhood?

Think of your GBP as your online storefront. Keeping it accurate and active tells both Google and potential customers that you’re open for business.

Fix Inconsistent Info Online

If you’ve ever searched for a service and seen that box with a map and a few local businesses listed at the top of the results, that’s the Map Pack. It’s one of the highest-visibility spots on Google, especially for local companies.

Google decides which businesses appear there based on several factors, and one of the most important is how consistent and accurate your business information is across the internet.

That includes your:

Business Name
Address
Phone Number

This is also known as NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number).

If your information differs across platforms like Yelp, Facebook, and online directories, Google may see your business as less trustworthy. This can hurt your chances of appearing in both organic search results and the Map Pack.

It also affects how your business performs in Google Ads:

Inconsistent info can lower your ad quality score, which means you may pay more per click
It can trigger disapproval of location extensions
And it can reduce your ad’s visibility in “near me” searches, even when you’re right around the corner

A few common red flags to watch for:

“Street” spelled out in one place, abbreviated as “St.” somewhere else
A missing or outdated phone number
Slight variations in your business name, like “ABC Electric” vs. “ABC Electric Co.”

Start by Googling your business name and scanning your listings. Anywhere your info doesn’t match your GBP exactly, update it.

Keeping your NAP consistent doesn’t just support your SEO; it directly impacts your ad performance and local visibility.

Answer the Questions People Are Asking

More and more customers are finding businesses by asking questions, not just searching keywords.

Instead of typing therapist in Berkeley, they’re saying:

Is there a therapist near me who offers virtual sessions?
Who’s the best real estate agent in Denver?

Google is now using tools like AI and voice search to pull direct answers from your website, your GBP, and even your reviews. This shift is called Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and it’s quickly becoming a must-have for local visibility.

Here’s how to help your business show up:

Add FAQs to your website and GBP
Use conversational, voice-style language in your content, e.g., “Where can I find…”
When asking for reviews, encourage customers to mention the service they received and where they received it. Those details help your business show up in local searches.
Aim to get new reviews regularly; even one or two a month can help.

Example: I hired The XYZ Roofing Crew for roof repairs in Walnut Creek, and they were quick, professional, and affordable.

Small Fixes Can Lead to Big Results

You don’t need to master SEO or spend hours online to start showing up where it counts. These three quick fixes: optimizing your GBP, cleaning up inconsistent info, and answering questions your customers might ask, can help Google connect your business with the people looking for it.

Not sure where to start? I’ve put together a free Google Business Profile checklist to walk you through the essentials. It’s straightforward, actionable, and built for busy local business owners.

Download the checklist here.

And if you ever need a second set of eyes or want help improving your visibility, I’m just a message away.

Want to Learn More?

Here are a few helpful posts if you’re ready to go a little deeper:

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