Have you ever searched for your own business on Google... and it doesn't appear?

Or it does appear, but without photos, reviews, and with outdated information.

If you own a local business in Panama, appearing on Google Maps and Google Business Profile is no longer optional.

Today, I'm going to show you why your business might not be appearing correctly and how to fix it to get more calls, visits, and customers.

Your business doesn't appear when customers search for you

Imagine someone types on their phone:

“Dentist in San Miguelito”
“Restaurant near me”
“Labor lawyer in Panama”

And you have the perfect business for that...
But you don't show up among the top map results.

The result?
That customer never gets to know you and goes to your competition.

You're losing visibility, traffic, and sales every day

In Panama, 8 out of 10 people search for local businesses from their phones, according to Google Consumer Insights.

And if you're not well positioned on Google Maps:

• No one calls you
  
  

• No one visits you
  
  

• No one trusts you

Because if a potential customer sees that you don't have photos, reviews, or an outdated schedule, they simply pass you over.

Optimize your Google Business Profile and boost your local visibility

Here are the concrete steps to ensure your business appears well on Google Maps and starts attracting more customers.

1. Claim your profile on Google Business Profile

First, you need to verify that you have control over your listing.

Go to Google Business Profile

And verify that:

• The business name is correct
  
  

• The address is well written and appears on the map
  
  

• The phone number works
  
  

• Your category is correctly selected (e.g., “Psychologist”, “Restaurant”, “Dental Clinic”)

TIP: Use a real physical address. Google does not rank businesses well without a clear location.

2. Add real and updated photos

Businesses with photos receive up to 42% more requests for directions, according to Google.

Make sure to upload:

• Photos of your facade (so they recognize you)
  
  

• Photos of your team or customer service
  
  

• Images of your product or service in action

This generates immediate trust.

3. Request reviews (and respond to all of them)

Reviews are one of the most powerful signals for appearing first.

Ask your happy customers to leave you a review on Google, and respond to each one.

Example message you can send via WhatsApp:

"Hi! Thanks for your visit. If you liked our service, could you help us by leaving a review on Google?

It would really help us 🙏 Here’s the direct link: [your review link]"

Important:

Never buy fake reviews. Google can penalize you or suspend your profile.

4. Post content on your Google profile

Yes, just like on social media, you can also post promotions, news, or events directly on your Google profile.

This tells the algorithm that your business is active and ranks you better.

You can post:

• Weekly offers
  
  

• Updated hours
  
  

• Special events
  
  

• Photos of your recent work

5. Use local keywords in the description

Take advantage of the “Business Description” section to include phrases like:

• “Beauty salon in El Cangrejo, Panama City”
  
  

• “Dental clinic with conscious sedation in San Miguelito”
  
  

• “Accountant for SMEs in Panama Oeste”

This helps Google connect your business with the right searches.

Example of Optimized vs. Non-Optimized Local Business

Conclusion

If you're not appearing well on Google Maps, you're losing customers every day.

And the worst part is that they are possibly looking for exactly what you offer.

Optimizing your Google Business Profile costs nothing, and it can be one of the most effective sources of traffic for your local business.

Do you want us to review and improve your visibility on Google so you get more calls and visits?

Contact us today at Fresa Marketing and we'll help you rank in the top 3 local searches on Google for your business in 90 days. Guaranteed.