Why is my business not showing up on Google Maps?

First, confirm what kind of 'not showing' it is

Search for your exact business name. If you don't appear even then, the profile may be missing, unverified, suspended or set up with details that don't match how people search. If you appear for your name but not for your service, the profile exists but isn't considered relevant or prominent enough for that search.

These are different problems. The first is about having a working profile. The second is about how well that profile, your website and your reputation explain what you do.

Check the profile itself

Google describes local results as depending mainly on relevance, distance and prominence. You can't change distance, but you can make relevance clear.

• Is the profile verified and the business name your real trading name?
• Is the primary category the closest match to your main service?
• Are address or service area, hours and phone number current?
• Does the description and services list name what customers search for?

Make your website agree with your profile

Your website is one of the sources that supports your profile. If it uses a different name, address or phone number, or never mentions the town and services you want to be found for, it weakens the picture. Link your profile to the most relevant page, and make sure that page clearly states the service and area.

Prominence takes time

Reviews, how well known the business is, and mentions on other trustworthy sites all play a part. Ask happy customers for reviews in a simple, honest way and reply to the reviews you get. Avoid shortcuts such as buying reviews or stuffing keywords into your business name, which break Google's guidelines and can get a profile suspended.

After changes, give it time and check again for the same searches from the same area, so you compare like with like.