Google Maps for Business: What You’re Probably Doing Wrong (and How to Get It Right)

Today, having a presence on Google Maps is considered a mark of a serious and trustworthy business.

An official profile not only helps customers easily find your company and its location, but also demonstrates transparency, openness, and a willingness to operate in the public information space. It’s a crucial step toward building trust and attracting new clients.

However, many business owners underestimate the importance of properly and thoroughly filling out their Google Maps (Google Business Profile) listing. Often, the information is entered hastily or superficially, without understanding the platform’s key requirements and capabilities.

This approach leads to confusion: customers are unable to locate the business, trust and loyalty are lost, search ranking drops, and the risk of missed opportunities and negative customer experiences increases.

Most Common Mistakes When Adding a Business to Google Maps

Below are the most frequent mistakes entrepreneurs make when creating a profile on Google Maps (Google Business Profile):

📍 1. Incorrect or incomplete business name

✅ Use only the official business name — no keywords, slogans, or extra symbols.

❌ Incorrect: “Beauty Salon ‘Elegance’ — Best in Town!”

✔️ Correct: “Beauty Salon ‘Elegance’”

Adding promotional phrases or keywords may cause your profile to be ranked lower or even suspended. Google monitors policy compliance and removes misleading pages.

🗺️ 2. Incorrect address

• Incomplete address (e.g., only the street name without a number)

• Virtual or non-existent addresses

• For online or service-based businesses, entering an address where customers don’t actually visit (e.g., a private residence) — in such cases, it’s better to hide the address and check “I deliver to customers at their location”

Incorrect addresses or contact details mean that customers simply can’t find you. They may show up at the wrong location, fail to reach you by phone, or assume the business is closed. This directly leads to loss of trust and potential revenue.

📞 3. Inaccurate or inactive contact details

• Using non-existent or rarely answered phone numbers

• Not including a website link, or entering it with errors

This damages trust — if the number doesn’t work, potential customers will likely choose a competitor. It also worsens the user experience: someone made the effort to contact you and was left disappointed. Google tracks such signals, and poor interaction with your profile can negatively affect your local search ranking. In the long run, incorrect contact info may result in lost clients, reputation damage, or even temporary suspension of the listing due to policy violations.

📷 4. No photos or low-quality photos

• No photos uploaded at all

• Blurry, irrelevant, or stock images

• Outdated or never-updated photos

Lack of visual content (or poor-quality visuals) creates the impression that the business is unverified, inactive, or untrustworthy. Potential clients don’t know what to expect and will often choose a competitor with appealing images of their space, team, or products. In industries where appearance and atmosphere matter — like cafés, salons, studios, or clinics — strong visuals are key. Low-quality or missing photos directly impact profile clicks, trust, and customer conversion.

📝 5. Empty or weak description

• No description at all

• Too generic or keyword-stuffed

• Incomplete information about products/services

An empty or poorly written description is a missed opportunity to capture customer interest in seconds. Without a clear explanation of who you are and what you offer, clients may not understand why they should choose you. Additionally, Google uses your description to determine relevance in search results. A vague or uninformative description reduces visibility. A strong one is concise, clear, and client-focused — not just a promo, but a compelling invitation.

⏰ 6. Incorrect business hours

• Marking the business as 24/7 when it’s not

• Not updating hours for holidays or seasonal changes

Incorrect business hours may cause clients to visit when you’re closed, leading to frustration and negative reviews — even if your service is excellent.

🔍 7. Creating multiple or duplicate listings

• Different owners creating separate profiles for the same business

• Duplicating the profile after relocation instead of editing the existing one

Duplicate listings confuse both Google and customers. Google may struggle to decide which version to show, and clients won’t know which is current. This hurts visibility and trust.

🔗 8. Not managing reviews

• Ignoring client reviews altogether

• Deleting or neglecting negative reviews

• Attempting to manipulate reviews with fake positives

Failing to engage with reviews damages both reputation and search ranking.

When businesses don’t respond — especially to critical feedback — it signals indifference to customer opinion. This discourages potential clients and undermines your credibility. On the other hand, thanking customers for positive feedback and professionally addressing concerns boosts trust and visibility.

💼 9. Violating Google’s policies

• Choosing the wrong category

• Using copyrighted images, false logos, or misleading info

• Creating fake locations to appear in more areas

If Google detects violations — such as a fake address or manipulated reviews — your profile may be permanently removed, with no option for recovery.

In summary:

Incorrect profile setup is not just a minor oversight — it’s a real risk to your visibility, reputation, and growth. It’s better to invest time in doing it right from the beginning than to try to recover lost clients and rankings later.

Why a Complete Profile Matters

A properly completed Google Maps profile creates a strong first impression. For many, this is the first encounter with your brand — and whether your listing looks clean and informative or disorganized and empty makes all the difference.

Accurate information makes you easier to find — by name, category, or searches like “hair salon nearby.” The more complete and precise your profile, the more likely it is that Google will rank you higher in search results.

Your profile is also where clients leave reviews. A well-maintained listing invites positive feedback and gives you the chance to respond and build your reputation.

Most importantly, your Google Business Profile is a powerful, free marketing tool that works for you 24/7. Up-to-date hours, contact info, and visuals reduce confusion, save time, and prevent customer frustration.

Many competitors still neglect their profiles — which gives you the opportunity to stand out, look professional, and win over their potential customers.

How to Fill Out Your Google Business Profile Correctly

• Provide accurate details: name, address, phone, website, hours

• Add clear, attractive, and recent photos

• Write a concise and honest description

• Keep your profile updated and respond to reviews

Checklist: How to Add Your Business to Google Maps the Right Way

To ensure a smooth, accurate setup and avoid common mistakes, follow this structured checklist:

✅ Before You Start:

• Ensure your business has an official name and (if needed) verification documents
• Confirm the correct address (or decide to hide it for mobile/online-only services)
• Prepare:
  • Logo
  • 5–10 high-quality photos
  • Active phone number and website
  • Working hours

📝 While Completing the Profile:

📌 1. Business Name

• Use only your official name — no marketing phrases or keywords

 ✖️ Wrong: “The Best Business on Earth”

 ✔️ Correct: “Elegance Beauty Salon”

📌 2. Address

• Enter the full address: street, number, floor/unit if applicable

• If you don’t receive clients at your location — hide the address and indicate that you serve customers off-site

📌 3. Contact Information

• Double-check the phone number (preferably mobile and active)
• Add a website if available
• Include social media links if possible

📌 4. Category

• Choose a primary category that clearly describes your business

 ✖️ Too broad: “Beauty”

 ✔️ Specific: “Beauty salon”

• Add additional categories if relevant

📌 5. Business Hours

• Set accurate opening hours, including weekends
• Adjust for holidays and seasonal changes

📌 6. Business Description

• Write a short, clear overview: who you are, what you do, how you help customers
• Avoid fluff and over-promotion

📷 Photos & Media:

• Upload high-quality images of:
  • Storefront
  • Interior
  • Products or services
  • Staff/team (optional)
• Keep photos updated regularly

🚀 After Publishing:

• Check how your profile appears to potential clients
• Respond to early reviews — even if they’re just questions
• Avoid duplicates — update the existing profile when relocating or changing info
• Monitor and update your profile as needed (hours, photos, news)

Why It’s So Important to Set Up Your Google Business Profile Properly

🌟 1. First Impressions Matter

Most customers discover your business on Google Maps or Search.

✅ A complete and neat profile = trust.

❌ An empty or duplicate profile = doubt and lost clients.

🔎 2. Easier to Find

With accurate data:

• You’re easier to locate by address

• You’re more likely to show up in relevant local searches

• You rank higher in local results

💬 3. Reputation & Reviews

Your profile is a review hub.

✅ Responding to positive reviews builds trust.

❌ Ignoring or leaving bad reviews unanswered damages credibility.

📈 4. Customer Growth

A well-maintained profile attracts:

• Local and organic search users

• Tourists or people in nearby areas

• Clients comparing options before deciding

💰 5. Free Promotion

Google Maps is a free tool that works for you 24/7 — if your profile is accurate and active.

🔄 6. Real-Time Information

Updated business hours, photos, and contact info prevent wasted visits and unnecessary calls.

🏆 7. Competitive Advantage

Many businesses still overlook their profile — giving you the chance to stand out, look trustworthy, and win more clients.

Beautier wishes you success in building a strong, detailed, and accurate profile on Google Maps — it’s a simple but powerful step toward trust, business growth, and a steady flow of new customers.

Be visible, be open, and show your value — and may your business grow with confidence and success!