One of the most common and damaging mistakes businesses make on Google My Business (GMB) is failing to fully complete their profile. Leaving sections like business hours, service areas, or business descriptions blank is a missed opportunity to build credibility with potential customers. In a city as competitive as New Orleans, incomplete profiles can result in lower rankings and reduced trust. Make sure your business listing includes up-to-date information across all fields—especially your name, address, phone number, and category. As a digital marketing agency in New Orleans, we often see this oversight hinder otherwise strong local businesses. A complete GMB profile not only improves visibility in local search but also encourages user engagement and customer conversions.
Using Low-Quality or No Images
Photos are not just visual decoration—they’re a key trust signal for users browsing local listings. Unfortunately, many businesses either don’t upload photos or rely on generic, outdated, or poor-quality images. In a visually driven digital world, this is a mistake that makes your business appear less professional or even untrustworthy. Upload high-resolution images of your storefront, staff, products, and customer interactions. Update them regularly to reflect seasons, promotions, or events. For businesses in New Orleans, showing a connection to the local culture through visuals can create an emotional bond with potential customers. A digital marketing agency in New Orleans like Geauxto Group can help curate branded visuals that resonate with your audience and improve listing performance.
Ignoring Customer Reviews
Another major GMB misstep is ignoring the reviews customers leave. Whether the feedback is positive or negative, a lack of response reflects poorly on your business. Responding to reviews shows customers that you value their input and are actively engaged. It also gives you the opportunity to highlight your customer service in public view. For businesses in New Orleans where word-of-mouth is key, every review is a chance to build trust and reputation. Encourage happy customers to leave reviews and always respond in a polite, timely manner—even if the comment is critical. As a digital marketing agency in New Orleans, we advise our clients to treat their review section like a customer service window. Engagement here can directly influence both your ranking and revenue.
Failing to Post Updates Regularly
GMB isn’t a “set it and forget it” platform. Google rewards businesses that post updates regularly, treating it almost like a mini social feed. Businesses that don’t take advantage of the Posts feature are missing a chance to share offers, events, updates, and highlights with local audiences. Whether it’s a new product line, a seasonal promotion, or a behind-the-scenes moment, every post helps reinforce your relevance and activity. For businesses in a dynamic market like New Orleans, consistent posting keeps your listing fresh and engaging. At Geauxto Group, a trusted digital marketing agency in New Orleans, we offer tailored GMB content strategies to help our clients stand out and stay active in local search.
Choosing the Wrong Category
Your GMB category determines where you show up in search, so getting it wrong means you’re targeting the wrong audience—or no one at all. Many businesses pick vague or inaccurate categories, hurting their chances of ranking for relevant searches. Google allows one primary category and several secondary ones, so take the time to choose carefully. If you’re a seafood restaurant, don’t just select “restaurant”—choose “seafood restaurant.” If you’re a fitness coach, choose “personal trainer” rather than “health service.” A digital marketing agency in New Orleans like Geauxto Group can audit your GMB listing to ensure your categories align with your actual services and local SEO strategy.
Turn Your GMB Listing Into a Lead Generator
Google My Business is one of the most powerful (and free) tools for driving local visibility and customer engagement—when used correctly. By avoiding these common mistakes and applying thoughtful, consistent updates, your GMB profile can become a valuable asset rather than a forgotten afterthought. Whether you’re a local restaurant, boutique, home service provider, or professional firm, you can’t afford to let your GMB listing fall behind.
Need expert help getting it right? Contact Geauxto Group, a leading digital marketing agency in New Orleans, and let us optimize your profile, craft strategic posts, and drive real engagement with your local audience. Let’s turn your listing into one of your strongest online assets.
