Why Your Business Isn't Showing on Google — And What You Can Do About It

If you've ever typed your business name into Google… and nothing came up, you're not alone. It's frustrating. You've done the work. You've set up your website. Maybe even claimed your Google Business Profile. But for some reason, you're still invisible when it matters most.

This post is for small business owners, tradespeople, and local pros who are wondering:

"Why isn't my business showing up when people search for me?"

Let's walk through the most common reasons — and how to fix them, fast.

🔍 1. You Haven't Claimed Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

This is step one. If you haven't officially claimed your GBP listing, you're at the mercy of public suggestions and whatever Google thinks your info might be.

How to fix it:

It's free, and it gives you control over how your business appears on Google Maps and Search.

⭐ 2. You Don't Have Enough Reviews

This is one of the most overlooked ranking signals. A business with 0–2 reviews is going to get buried under others with 10–20+ reviews.

And yes — it's absolutely possible to start asking for reviews without feeling pushy. One quick, polite message like this works:

"Thanks again for choosing us! If you had a great experience, here's a link to leave a quick Google review. It helps a lot!" 💬

Want your direct review link? Use our free generator here.

📸 3. Your Profile Looks Empty

Google likes active businesses. If your profile has:

…it's probably not going to rank well. You've got to look "alive."

Add these today:

📍 4. You're Competing in a Crowded Market

If you're a plumber in Vancouver or a realtor in Toronto… there's a lot of competition.

That means you need to go a little further:

✅ Want to Know Where You Stand?

We built Fast Local SEO Checker to give business owners like you a quick, free scan of your local SEO health. You'll get:

No jargon. No pitch. Just answers.

💬 Final Thought

You don't need to be an SEO expert to show up on Google. You just need the right steps — and the commitment to do a little each week.

If you want help or just want to bounce some ideas around, feel free to reach out here. I've been working with small businesses long enough to know how valuable your time is.

Let's make your business easy to find. 🔎

Posted by:

Ken McGonigal

Founder, Gentoolink Web Services

Helping small businesses get found online, without the tech headache