Why Your Plumbing Business Isn’t Showing Up on Google Maps (And How to Fix It!)

Why Your Plumbing Business Isn’t Showing Up on Google Maps (And How to Fix It!)

Apr 07, 2025

You’ve done the hard work. You’ve built a professional plumbing business, delivered excellent service, and maybe even set up a smart-looking website. But there’s just one problem — you’re nowhere to be seen on Google Maps.


For local plumbers, visibility on Google Maps is essential. It’s how homeowners in your area find and contact you when they need urgent help. If you're not appearing in search results like “plumber near me” or “emergency plumber in [your town]”, you're losing business to your competitors.


At Ste Boylan Ltd, we specialise in content marketing and local SEO for tradespeople in the home improvement industry. We help plumbers across the UK solve issues just like this — and in this blog, we’re going to explain why your plumbing business isn’t showing up on Google Maps and, more importantly, how to fix it.


🚫 5 Common Reasons You’re Not Showing on Google Maps


1. Your Google Business Profile Isn’t Verified

If your Google Business Profile (GBP) hasn’t been verified, it won’t appear in search results or on Google Maps. It’s one of the most common issues we see.

✅ Fix: Log into your Google account and verify your listing by phone, email or postcard (depending on what options are available). Once verified, your business will be eligible to appear in local search results.


2. You Haven’t Added the Right Business Categories

Google needs to understand exactly what you do. If your categories are vague or missing, it’s harder for the algorithm to place your business in relevant searches.

✅ Fix: Log in to your GBP and ensure you’ve selected the most accurate categories. For plumbers, this might include:


  • Plumber
  • Emergency plumber
  • Boiler repair service
  • Bathroom fitter


At Ste Boylan Ltd, we help our clients choose and optimise the best categories to improve visibility.


3. You Don’t Have Any Reviews (or You Have Poor Ones)

Google prioritises businesses with consistent, positive reviews. If your profile is review-less or full of low ratings, your ranking will suffer.


✅ Fix: Start asking happy customers to leave a Google review after every job. A steady flow of 5-star ratings improves trust — and your place on the map. Responding to reviews (even the bad ones) also signals that you’re active and reliable.


4. Your Business Address or Location is Incomplete

If your business address is incorrect, missing, or located in a restricted area (like a service area without a storefront), Google might not show you at all.


✅ Fix: Double-check your business address and service areas in your GBP dashboard. If you're a mobile plumber working from home, set your profile as a service-area business, not a physical location.


5. Inconsistent Business Info Across the Web

Google looks for consistency. If your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) differs between your website, directory listings, and social media, Google can get confused and lower your ranking.


✅ Fix: Make sure your NAP details are identical on:

  • Your website
  • Online directories (Yell, Checkatrade, TrustATrader, etc.)
  • Social media profiles
  • Your Google Business Profile


Ste Boylan Ltd offers a full NAP audit as part of our local SEO service to ensure all your listings match.


✅ How to Boost Your Plumbing Business on Google Maps

Once you've fixed the issues above, it’s time to take your Google Maps performance to the next level:


  • Post regular updates and job photos to your Google profile
  • Add keywords and location tags to your business description
  • Create localised service pages on your website (e.g., “Boiler Repairs in St Helens”)
  • Build backlinks from trusted local directories and trades websites
  • Keep gathering new reviews every month


These actions help reinforce your presence, build authority, and increase your chances of appearing in the Google Map Pack — the holy grail of local search results.


🧰 Need Help? That’s What We Do at Ste Boylan Ltd

We get it — you’re busy running a plumbing business, not managing your Google listings and chasing online reviews. That’s where we come in.


At Ste Boylan Ltd, we work exclusively with tradespeople across the UK to help them:

  • Get found on Google Maps
  • Improve local SEO rankings
  • Build content that converts clicks into customers


Whether you're just getting started or want to dominate local search results, we’ve got a proven system that works.


📞 Let’s Get You on the Map

If you're tired of being invisible online and are ready to start generating more local leads, get in touch with us today.


📞 Call: 01744 636574

🌐 Visit: www.steboylan.com

📧 Let’s grow your plumbing business — one 5-star result at a time.