GMB Setup Mistakes That Houston Businesses Keep Making (And How to Fix Them)

GMB Setup Mistakes That Houston Businesses Keep Making (And How to Fix Them)

Local visibility starts with one thing: your Google Business Profile (GMB).
And yet—across Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and even Dallas—most service companies accidentally sabotage their own rankings with a sloppy, incomplete, or incorrect setup.

If your calls have slowed…
If maps traffic is dropping…
If “near me” searches aren’t showing your business…
There’s a good chance your GMB setup has issues.

Here are the most common mistakes we fix every week—and how you can correct them fast.

Mistake #1 — Wrong Primary Category (Kills Ranking Fast)

Google uses categories to understand what your business actually does.
Choose the wrong one, and Google will bury your listing instantly.

Correct approach:

  • Plumbers → Plumber

  • HVAC → HVAC Contractor

  • Landscapers → Landscaper

  • Pressure Washing → Pressure Washing Service

  • Print Shops → Screen Printer or Custom T-Shirt Shop

Never choose “Marketing Agency,” “Apparel Store,” “Consultant,” or anything unrelated.

Fix this with one clean category change.

For Help With your Google My Business Setup Contact Us here

 

Mistake #2 — Keyword-Stuffed Business Names (Google Will Punish This)

Example of what NOT to do:

“Mike’s Plumbing – Plumber Near Me – Water Heater – Houston TX”

Google flags this as spam, and sooner or later, they remove the listing or drop it to page 5.

Correct format:

“Mike’s Plumbing”
“Lone Star Roofing”
“Elite HVAC Services”

Keep it clean. Google rewards accuracy.

Mistake #3 — Missing Services, Missing Service Areas, and Missing Attributes

Most Houston-area companies forget to fill these out—big mistake.

You should ALWAYS complete:

  • Services (all that apply)

  • Service Areas (Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Dallas, etc.)

  • Attributes (veteran-owned, women-owned, appointment required, on-site service, etc.)

The more complete → the more trust → the more visibility.

Mistake #4 — No Photos or Low-Quality Uploads

A shocking number of business owners upload:

  • blurry photos

  • screenshots

  • random logos

  • stock images

Google wants real, local, high-quality photos.

Upload:

  • Your team

  • Your work

  • Before/after shots

  • Vehicles

  • Storefront

  • Branded uniforms

  • Equipment

Google’s AI reads images — show it the right things.

Mistake #5 — Using a Personal Number Instead of a Tracking or Business Line

If your listing starts with a personal cell phone:

  • You look less professional

  • Google may classify you as “less established”

  • You lose tracking data

Replace it with:

  • A business line

  • A call tracking number

  • A VOIP line that routes to your phone

Just make sure it still matches your website’s contact info.

Mistake #6 — No Weekly Posts or Updates

You don’t need to post “cute” content.

You need:

  • Promotions

  • Announcements

  • New service highlights

  • Short updates

  • Before/after photos

  • FAQs

  • Local notes (“Now serving Katy & Sugar Land”)

Posting weekly tells Google:

“This business is active. Show it more.”

Mistake #7 — Not Linking GMB to a Fully Optimized Website

Your GMB and website must work in tandem.
If your website is slow, broken, missing headings, or not mobile-ready, your GMB rankings instantly take a hit.

For Help with Heading Structure fix Contact us here

Mistake #8 — No Service Pages, No Blog Content, No Local Signals

Cities like Houston, Katy, and Sugar Land rank best when your website shows:

  • local service pages

  • local mentions

  • local blogs

  • city names used naturally

If Google can’t understand where you serve, it won’t rank you where you want.

Final Fix — Get a Clean, Professional GMB Setup That Ranks

You can fix these issues one by one…
OR you can have a full setup done correctly from day one.


👉 Google Business Profile Setup — One-Time Fix

👉 Contact JobsWon Marketing

FAQs

How long does it take to see ranking improvements after fixing GMB?

Usually between 2–6 weeks once Google re-crawls your listing and your website.

Do Houston-area businesses need weekly GMB posts?

Yes—Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, and Dallas are competitive markets. Weekly posts help your listing stay active.

What if my listing got suspended for spam or keyword stuffing?

We can fix it and file a reinstatement request if needed.

Will fixing my GMB alone increase leads?

It helps—but pairing GMB with a clean website structure and local SEO delivers the best results.

Should service companies add more neighborhoods or fewer?

Add only the cities you truly serve—no more than 8–12 total.
(Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Dallas, etc.)