Why Is My Business Not Showing Up on Google? 5 Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Searching for your business on Google and getting zero results? You’re not alone. One of the most common questions small business owners ask is:
“Why is my business not showing up on Google?”
In fact, this issue affects thousands of businesses that don’t realize how Google’s visibility system works. In this article, we’ll explore why your business might not be showing up on Google — and what you can do about it.

1. You Haven’t Set Up or Verified Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is what allows your company to appear on Google Maps and in local search results. Without it, Google has a harder time knowing you exist.

✅ How to fix “Why Is My Business Not Showing Up on Google”:

• Visit https://www.google.com/business/

• Create or claim your business listing

• Complete your profile with name, phone number, hours, address, website, and business category

• Add high-quality photos

• Request reviews from your customers

• Verify your profile to make it publicly visible

A fully optimized profile improves local SEO and helps customers find you directly on Google.

Not showing up on Google doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong — but it does mean it’s time to take action. Now that you understand why your business might not be showing up on Google, you can make strategic improvements to gain the visibility you deserve.

2. Your Website Isn’t Indexed by Google

If you have a website but it’s not showing up in search results, it’s likely not indexed by Google.

🔍 How to check:

Type this into Google:

If nothing comes up, your site is likely not in Google’s index.

✅ How to fix it:

• Register your website with Google Search Console

• Submit your sitemap (usually yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml)

• Make sure your robots.txt file isn’t blocking Google from crawling your site

• Request indexing manually through Search Console

If your site isn’t indexed, Google won’t show it — even if it’s well-designed.

3. Your Website Is Slow or Not Mobile-Friendly

Google prioritizes websites that are fast and mobile-optimized. If your site takes too long to load or doesn’t adapt to smaller screens, you’ll struggle to rank well.

✅ How to check:

Use PageSpeed Insights to test your site. You’ll get a performance score and recommendations.

✅ How to fix it:

• Compress and optimize images

• Enable browser caching and minify code

• Use responsive design for mobile and tablets

• Consider switching to a faster hosting provider or updating your platform

A slow, clunky website = bad user experience = lower search rankings.

4. You Have Little or No Relevant Content

Google rewards websites that provide value to users. If your site only has a homepage and generic text, there’s not enough substance for Google to rank you.

✅ How to fix it:

• Create detailed service pages

• Write blog articles that answer common questions your customers ask

• Add an FAQ section using real queries

• Include keywords like “best [service] near me” or “affordable [service] in [city]”

Publishing content regularly helps establish authority and boost your visibility over time.

5. Your Site Has No Backlinks or Online Mentions

Backlinks — links from other websites pointing to yours — signal trust and relevance to Google. If nobody links to your site, it’s harder for Google to consider it valuable.

✅ How to fix it:

• Submit your business to local directories like Yelp, Bing Places, and Chamber of Commerce sites

• Collaborate with partners or suppliers to get featured on their websites

• Create high-quality content others will want to share

• Ask for mentions or guest posts on relevant blogs in your industry

Need help building ethical backlinks? Kickoff Advertising can help you develop a smart link-building strategy that works.

📌 Final Thoughts: Visibility Takes Strategy, Not Luck

Not showing up on Google doesn’t mean your business is broken — it just means it’s time to fine-tune your online presence.

With a complete Google Business Profile, an indexable and mobile-friendly website, and high-value content, you can dramatically increase your chances of being discovered by local customers.

🚀 Want Your Business to Show Up on Google?

At Kickoff Advertising, we help small businesses and entrepreneurs boost their visibility, get found on search engines, and attract real leads.

👉 Contact us today for a free online visibility audit.
Visit our contact page