Tourists arriving on the Costa del Sol aren’t flipping through phone books or local newspapers. They’re picking up their phones and tapping ‘best tapas bar near me.’ Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is your storefront on that digital high street. When done well, it draws wanderers into your bar or café; when done poorly, it pushes them to the place next door. Unfortunately, a lot of expat‑owned businesses on the coast are unknowingly making mistakes that stop their GBP from working its magic.
Below are nine common missteps and some quick fixes to get your listing back on track.
1. You Haven’t Verified Your Listing
Google doesn’t show unverified businesses prominently. According to GoSite’s guide on Google Business listings, you need to claim and verify your profile by phone or postcard; unverified profiles may not show at all【L183】. Until you complete this process, your updates won’t appear and your business is essentially invisible.
Fix: Visit your Google Business dashboard, click ‘Verify’ and follow the steps. Google will send a code via phone, email or mail. Enter it promptly—without verification, nothing else you do will matter.
2. Your NAP Isn’t Consistent
NAP stands for Name, Address and Phone. GoSite notes that inconsistent NAP details across directories—using ‘Café España’ on Yelp and ‘Cafe Espana’ on Google—confuses Google’s algorithms and can prevent your business from appearing【378725970195831†L227-L237】. Mismatches also look sloppy to customers.
Fix: Pick one exact format for your name, address and phone number (including country code) and stick with it everywhere—on your website, social profiles and every directory you can find. If you move, update all listings immediately.
3. You Chose the Wrong Category or Keywords
Google uses your primary category to decide which searches you show up in. If you list your beachfront bar as a ‘Restaurant’ instead of ‘Bar,’ you’ll compete with full‑service restaurants and may miss relevant searches. GoSite warns that wrong keywords or categories are a common reason businesses don’t appear【378725970195831†L154-L166】.
Fix: In your GBP dashboard, choose the most specific primary category (e.g., ‘Tapas Bar’ or ‘Bed & Breakfast’) and add secondary categories to cover additional services. Use simple keywords in your business description to describe exactly what you do.
4. Your Website Is Slow or Not Linked
Even if your GBP shows up, customers click through to your website to view menus, book tables or read more. A slow or outdated site will scare them away. Howle Creative’s 2025 digital marketing guide found that more than half of mobile visitors abandon a page if it takes longer than three seconds to load【714195477396844†L140-L143】, and over 60% of searches are done on mobile devices【714195477396844†L148-L154】. If your site loads slowly or isn’t mobile‑friendly, you’re burning bookings.
Fix: Link your website in your GBP and invest in a modern, responsive site. Compress images, use caching and test your speed on mobile. If you don’t have a site yet, consider a one‑page landing page that loads fast and clearly presents your location, menu and booking information.
5. You Don’t Ask for (or Respond to) Reviews
Google’s algorithm loves fresh, authentic reviews. Positive reviews build trust, and replying to reviews shows you care. The Local SEO statistics cited by Restaurant HQ note that customers are seven times more likely to read a restaurant’s Google Business Profile than its website, and 64% of consumers click one of the top three Google Maps results【575077592884607†L76-L88】. Ignoring reviews means you’re missing an easy way to climb into those top results.
Fix: Ask happy guests to leave a review—hand them a card with a QR code or email them a polite request. Respond to every review, positive or negative. Thank guests for praise and address any criticism kindly and constructively.
6. You Rarely Post Photos or Updates
GoSite’s list of GBP issues also mentions that businesses that fail to keep content fresh may not rank well【378725970195831†L154-L166】. Google rewards active profiles. Tourists want to see recent photos of your tapas, not a blurry shot from 2019.
Fix: Upload new photos of your dishes, terrace and team at least once a month. Post about seasonal specials, live music nights or holiday hours. Treat your GBP like a mini‑social feed.
7. Your Business Moved (and Google Doesn’t Know)
If you change location but don’t update your address, people will show up at your old spot. GoSite highlights that moving without updating your profile is a reason businesses disappear【378725970195831†L154-L166】.
Fix: Log in to your GBP and edit the address immediately. Update your NAP everywhere else, too. Consider posting a ‘We’ve moved’ update on your GBP for a few weeks.
8. You’re Using the Wrong Website Link
Some businesses link to Facebook or Instagram instead of their website. This confuses Google and potential customers, especially if your social pages aren’t updated. Always use your primary, mobile‑friendly website link. If you don’t have one, fix that first.
9. You Haven’t Enabled Messaging or Bookings
People like to message businesses directly. Google allows you to enable messaging and integrate booking tools. If your competitors allow bookings and you don’t, guess who gets the table?
Fix: Turn on messaging in your GBP settings and connect a booking provider. Keep an eye on inquiries and respond quickly.
Final Thoughts
Your Google Business Profile is a free tool that can fill your tables and rooms—if you use it properly. By verifying your listing, tidying up your details, asking for reviews and keeping your content fresh, you’ll stand out when tourists search for that perfect tapas bar or boutique hotel. It takes a little effort, but the payoff is massive: more bookings, better reviews and a business that stands out from the sea of competition.
Want help getting your GBP into fighting shape? Book a free consultation and we’ll audit your profile and website. Let’s make sure travellers never miss your place when they head to the Costa del Sol.