Why is Yelp Business Not Working

If you're a small business owner, you're likely no stranger to Yelp. It's a prominent platform for discovering and reviewing businesses online. While Google remains a giant in online search, Yelp holds its own with an impressive 178 million unique monthly users across desktop, mobile, and apps. That's a substantial amount of traffic!

Yelp for Business is a widely used online platform that empowers businesses to create and manage their profiles, engage with reviews, provide special offers and gift certificates, and promote their services.

However, some users have encountered issues that the Yelp business is not working properly on their devices. Here is the solution to fix that problem. 

Why am I unable to use Yelp?

If you find yourself unable to access Yelp, there are several potential reasons for this issue:

Geo-restriction: You may be trying to access Yelp from a location where it's not supported. To swiftly resolve this, consider using a VPN service to connect to a virtual location.

Network Blocking: If you're on a work network, a hotel network, or any public Wi-Fi connection, access to Yelp may be blocked by the network administrator.

Browser Problems: When Yelp business is not working properly on your computer's browser, it could be due to an outdated or corrupt browser, or you might have browser extensions that are blocking Yelp. Some security add-ons might mistakenly flag Yelp as a dangerous website.

Firewall or Antivirus Blockage: Your antivirus or firewall software might be blocking access to Yelp. In such cases, we recommend either whitelisting Yelp or temporarily disabling your antivirus/firewall to access the website without hindrance."

Solution for accessing Yelp?

• Use a VPN: Utilize a VPN service to bypass geo-restrictions and access Yelp from a different virtual location.

• Use Smart DNS Services: Employ Smart DNS services to unblock access to Yelp by changing your DNS settings.

• Use a Proxy Server: Access Yelp through a proxy server to mask your location and gain access.

• Use Tor: Utilize the Tor network to access Yelp anonymously and bypass restrictions.

• Check Your Firewall: Ensure that your firewall settings are not blocking Yelp access; adjust them if needed.

• Check Your Host's File: Examine your computer's host file to ensure it's not blocking Yelp; modify it if necessary.

• Flush Your DNS: Clear your DNS cache to resolve any potential DNS-related issues and regain access to Yelp.

Problem #2

You haven’t claimed your business listing

This is a big one. If you haven’t gone to Yelp, Google, or other major search engines to claim or add your online listing, do it ASAP. You want to let them know that you’re taking ownership of your listing. This establishes a pattern of trust, which is huge when you’re trying to make future changes or edits.

Yelp in particular makes this easy, providing business owners with a portal to create a free business owner account. This allows you to claim your Yelp business listing and make updates as needed. Oh, and did I mention it’s free?

Solution for claiming your business listing 

Only business owners can claim Yelp business listings, ensuring they have control over their business information and can manage their online presence effectively.

Problem #3

When your Yelp business page is not up-to-date 

If your Yelp business is not working properly it might be due to outdated functionalities. You might encounter the device might get slow. 

Solution 

You can update the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Problem #4

Lack of a strong social media presence

It's crucial to understand that Yelp uses your social media presence to verify the accuracy of the business information you provide. If you haven't kept your Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter profiles updated, it can hinder the verification process.

Solution 

As mentioned earlier, a client without a website faced challenges with Yelp. Having a robust social media presence could have helped Yelp verify their information, but they didn't have one. While social media profiles are valuable, they shouldn't replace an official website. Yelp prefers businesses to have both, as a social media page is not a substitute for a dedicated website. Therefore, it's best practice to maintain both a strong social media presence and an official business website for a well-rounded online presence.

Problem #5

Facing black or white screen issues in Yelp for Business on Android

If you encounter a black or white screen when opening Yelp for Business on your Android device, it's a common issue. To resolve it, try these steps:

Solution 

Problem Resolution: In most cases, it's a temporary loading problem. Open your recent applications menu (typically the first left button), close the app with the issue, and then reopen it.

Hard Reboot: Perform a hard reboot by pressing and holding the "Home" and "Power" buttons simultaneously for up to 10 seconds, then release them and hold the "Power" button until the screen turns on. After this, try reopening the app; it might function correctly.

Battery Drain and Restart: If the problem persists, allow your phone's battery to drain completely and turn off automatically. Then, recharge it and press the power button; the app may work afterward.

Reinstallation: If none of the above steps work, uninstall the app and reinstall it. Android typically restores settings after reinstallation and login, which might resolve the issue.

Older Versions: In rare cases where reinstallation fails, consider trying older versions of the app to see if that resolves the problem.

Problem #6 

Unable to view Yelp reviews 

If you're having trouble seeing Yelp reviews, especially on mobile devices, it's a common occurrence. Here's how to address this issue. 

Solution 

Mobile Browser Limitation: When accessing Yelp from a mobile browser instead of the dedicated app, some features may be restricted to encourage app downloads.

Download the App: To resolve this issue, you have two options. First, consider downloading the Yelp mobile app. This should provide access to all features without limitations.

Enable Desktop View: Alternatively, if you prefer not to download the app, you can enable the Desktop view on the Yelp website. This can often grant you full access to Yelp features on your mobile browser.

If you're unable to see your own Yelp reviews, it's likely due to network issues or a delay in review visibility. In such cases, patience is key; wait for your reviews to become visible to others, and ensure your internet connection is stable.

If your Yelp business is working, there are various solutions to consider.

Geo-Restrictions: If Yelp is not available in your location, using a VPN, proxy, Smart DNS, or Tor can help you bypass these restrictions.

PC or Connection Issues: If Yelp should be accessible in your area but isn't, the problem might be related to your PC or internet connection.

On a positive note, implementing the suggested fixes can likely resolve the issue, ensuring you regain access to Yelp swiftly.

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