How to Fix Online Listings That Are Driving Customers Away

Published by Guest Author on May 28, 2025

When someone Googles your business, what do they see? If it’s an outdated phone number, the wrong opening hours, or confusing directions, you’re not just missing out—you might be actively turning people away. Small details can make a big difference, which is why so many businesses turn to local SEO services to ensure their listings are accurate, consistent, and customer-friendly.

The Problem with Bad Listings

Inconsistent information across platforms like Google Business Profile, Yelp, Facebook, and Apple Maps doesn’t just confuse customers—it also hurts your visibility. Search engines rely on accuracy and consistency to decide which businesses to trust. If your name, address, or phone number (often called “NAP”) is listed differently across the web, Google may downgrade your listing or hide it altogether in local results.

Even worse, if a customer visits the wrong address or calls a dead number, they’re likely to give up entirely—and head straight to a competitor.

Check the Essentials First

Start by searching your business name and seeing what pops up. Look for duplicates, errors, or out-of-date info on major directories. Make sure:

Your business name is written the same way everywhere (no “&” in one place and “and” in another).
Your address and phone number are identical across all listings.
Your opening hours are correct—and reflect holiday or seasonal changes if relevant.
Your category and service descriptions are consistent and aligned with what customers search for.

Even tiny mismatches can erode trust with both users and search engines.

Fix What You Can—Then Track It

Once you’ve identified the errors, correct them where you have direct access (like your Google Business Profile or Facebook Page). For listings controlled by third-party aggregators or less obvious directories, it may take a bit more digging—or some professional help.

After your updates go live, monitor them. Listings can revert or get edited by users. Tools like Moz Local or BrightLocal can help you track your presence across multiple platforms and alert you to changes before they cost you business.

Don’t Ignore Reviews and Photos

Online listings aren’t just static directories—they’re living pages. Reviews and customer-submitted photos shape a huge part of your brand perception.

If your business has great ratings on Google but a one-star review on Yelp that sits right at the top, potential customers will notice. Take time to reply professionally to both praise and complaints. Address issues, show you’re listening, and always thank people for their feedback—even if it’s negative.

Photos matter too. Add high-quality images of your storefront, team, and products. Don’t let that blurry, ten-year-old photo be the first thing a customer sees.

Cleaning up your listings doesn’t require a full rebrand or fancy redesign—it just takes attention to detail and a bit of consistency. Whether you’re a small local shop or a service-based business, making it easy for customers to find and trust you is half the battle. Don’t let something as simple as a wrong postcode or a missing phone number stand between you and your next loyal customer.