Mijas is home to three very different hubs: Mijas Pueblo with its whitewashed alleys and donkey taxis, Las Lagunas where most of the population lives, and La Cala de Mijas facing the sea. Residents, tourists and a large expat community all share one habit: before deciding where to eat, get a haircut or hire a service, they open Google Maps. If your business isn't there, to them you don't exist. Here's how to show up, step by step.
Why showing up on Google Maps is the first thing for your business in Mijas
Tourism in Mijas doesn't stop in summer: the town receives visitors all year round and is home to thousands of foreign residents who have stayed to live. None of them look in the Yellow Pages; they search on their phones. "Restaurant in Mijas Pueblo", "hairdresser in Las Lagunas", "dentist in La Cala de Mijas"... Google always responds with the map and shows the businesses with a complete listing, photos and good reviews.
If yours is empty or doesn't show up, that customer calls the business next door. The listing is free: showing up on the map costs you nothing; not showing up does cost you customers.
And mind the areas: a business in Mijas Pueblo works with day-trip tourism, while in Las Lagunas or La Cala the bulk are locals and residents who come back. A well-built listing covers both audiences.
Step by step to show up on Google Maps
Creating the listing is simple, but you have to do it properly and in order:
- Create or claim your listing on Google Business Profile with your business's real name and exact address. If you work from home or travel to clients, mark your service area instead of showing an address.
- Verify the business is yours. Google sends you a code by post, phone or video call. Until you verify, the listing isn't visible.
- Choose your primary category carefully. It decides which searches you appear in. Add secondary categories related to your services too.
- Upload real photos. Cover, interior, your team and your work. Your own photos generate more clicks and more trust than any stock image.
- Ask for reviews and reply to all of them. They are the factor that most influences appearing in the local pack and getting the customer to choose you.
- Post regularly. Updates, menus and offers keep the listing alive and tell Google your business is active.
Mistakes that keep you off the map
- Unverified listing. Google doesn't show it with confidence, or simply doesn't show it at all.
- Generic or poorly chosen category. You show up in searches that aren't yours and you lose your real customer.
- No photos or stock photos. An empty listing generates neither trust nor clicks.
- Outdated hours and details. In season everything changes; a wrong phone number or an old schedule loses bookings every day.
- Ignoring reviews. Answered, they're your best shop window; unanswered, they drag down your image.
- Wrong address or duplicate listing. You confuse Google and the customer, and it penalises your ranking.
The good news is that all these mistakes can be fixed. The bad news is that, while they're there, every day they leave customers at your competitor's door.
How to stand out from the local competition (and the tourism)
Mijas has a lot of supply and a demanding audience, a mix of residents, tourists and expats. To stand out:
- Consistent reviews. Ask for them after every service or purchase and always reply. If you don't know where to start, here we tell you how to get more reviews on Google Maps.
- Your own, refreshed photos. Update with the season: the terrace in summer, the new menu, the shop sign.
- Bilingual Spanish-English. Tourists and foreign residents choose first the business that speaks to them in their language.
- Secondary categories and attributes. Wi-Fi, terrace, accessibility, reservations, payment methods: the more complete, the better.
- Posts and offers. Keep the listing active against competitors who leave theirs abandoned.
Think about the tourist: they arrive in Mijas, open the map and choose in seconds. They go with the business that makes it easiest with up-to-date photos, clear opening hours and recent reviews.
How much it costs and how we help you
Optimising your listing with Solaris costs from €150/month + VAT, with no lock-in. If you also want articles that strengthen your ranking, the full plan is €250/month + VAT. We take care of your listing, your reviews and your posts so you show up where people search for you. It's the same work we do for businesses in Estepona or Marbella, adapted to Mijas.
Why Solaris
There are many agencies on the Costa del Sol. We work differently:
- We know the area. We work on listings in Mijas, Marbella and Estepona; we know what tourists and residents search for and how to turn that search into a customer.
- Fixed, published prices. €150 or €250 a month, with no lock-in and no surprises on the invoice.
- We show you what we do. Every month you know what has been worked on and what results you're getting.
Do the maths: a single new customer a month usually covers the plan fee. The rest is profit.