It's a frustrating feeling. You know your business offers incredible service or fantastic products. Yet, when you search for "plumber Market Harborough" or "cafes near me," your business is nowhere to be seen. Or, worse, it's buried so deep on page three of Google that no one will ever find it.

In today's digital landscape, if you're not showing up on Google, you're effectively invisible to the vast majority of your local customers. And for a local business in Market Harborough or anywhere in Leicestershire, this is a missed opportunity too big to ignore.

Having spent time on Google's commerce teams, I've seen countless examples of businesses struggling with visibility. The good news? It's rarely a complex, mystical problem. It often boils down to a few common, fixable issues.

Here's a simple diagnosis to help you figure out why your business isn't showing up on Google, and what you can do about it.

Diagnosis 1: Your Google Business Profile is Neglected (The #1 Culprit)

The Problem: Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the most critical factor for local search ranking. If it's incomplete, unverified, or outdated, Google won't know enough about your business to show it to relevant searchers.

Symptoms:

• You haven't claimed your profile.

• Your opening hours are wrong (especially for holidays).

• There are few (or old) photos.

• Your services list is sparse or missing.

The Fix:

• Claim and Verify: This is non-negotiable. Search for your business on Google Maps and claim/verify it.

• Optimise Everything: Fill out every section. Add high-quality photos, list all your services, and write a compelling business description. As covered in 'The 5-Point Google Checklist for High Street Businesses', this is your digital front door.

• Be Active: Use Google Posts for updates and respond to every review.

Diagnosis 2: Your Website Isn't Talking "Local" Enough

The Problem: Even if you have a great website, if it doesn't clearly tell Google where you operate, it will struggle to rank for local searches.

Symptoms:

• Your website mentions your services but rarely your town or county.

• Your homepage title is generic (e.g., "Welcome to My Business" instead of "Your [Service] in [Town]").

• You don't have dedicated pages for specific services you offer in your local area.

The Fix:

• Integrate Local Keywords: Explicitly mention "Market Harborough," "Leicestershire," and surrounding villages throughout your website's content, especially on your homepage, service pages, and contact page.

• Location-Specific Content: Consider a blog post answering local questions (e.g., "Best places for a dog walk in Market Harborough," subtly linking to your pub) or dedicated pages for specific service areas.

• Mobile-First Design: Ensure your website is responsive and user-friendly on mobile devices, as this significantly impacts your Google ranking. (See 'Your Website Looks Great on Your Mac. Too Bad Your Customers Are on Their Phones.')

Diagnosis 3: Inconsistent NAP Information (Confusion for Google)

The Problem: NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone number. If Google finds conflicting information about your business across different online sources, it gets confused and becomes less confident in showing your business to users.

Symptoms:

• Your address is "123 High Street" on your website but "123 High St" on Yelp.

• Your phone number is listed differently on Facebook than on your GBP.

• Your business name varies slightly (e.g., "Acme Plumbing" vs. "Acme Plumbing & Heating").

The Fix:

• Audit Your Online Listings: Use a tool (or do it manually) to check your NAP information on your website, Google Business Profile, Facebook, Yell, Yelp, and any trade-specific directories (e.g., Checkatrade).

• Standardise Everything: Ensure your business name, address, and phone number are absolutely identical across all platforms.

Diagnosis 4: You Don't Have Enough Recent, High-Quality Reviews

The Problem: Google values social proof, especially for local businesses. A lack of reviews, or a poor star rating, signals to Google (and potential customers) that your business might not be the best choice.

Symptoms:

• You have very few Google reviews.

• Your last review was over a year ago.

• Your average star rating is below 4.0.

The Fix:

• Actively Ask for Reviews: Make it a standard practice to ask happy customers for a Google review. Provide a direct link.

• Respond to All Reviews: Thank customers for positive reviews and professionally address negative ones. This shows you care and builds trust.

Diagnosis 5: You're Not Using Google to Its Full Potential (Missing Opportunities)

The Problem: You might have the basics covered, but you're not leveraging all the powerful tools Google offers for local businesses.

Symptoms:

• You're not using Local Inventory Ads (if you're a retailer).

• You've never considered Google Ads for local "store visits."

• You're not analysing insights from your Google Business Profile.

The Fix:

• Explore Local Inventory Ads: If you sell physical products, these ads are a game-changer for driving footfall. (Revisit 'Google's Best-Kept Secret for High Street Shops').

• Consider Local Google Ads: Targeted campaigns can get your business in front of local searchers with high intent.

• Utilise Insights: Your GBP dashboard provides valuable data on how customers find and interact with your business. Use it!

Showing up on Google isn't about luck; it's about strategy and consistency. By addressing these common issues, your Market Harborough business can drastically improve its online visibility and attract more of those crucial local inquiries.

Struggling to get your business found on Google? Brand Canyon, based in Market Harborough, specialises in local SEO and digital marketing for businesses just like yours. Let's get you ranking higher and getting more calls. Get in touch for a local SEO audit.