Struggling to Get Customers? How Local SEO Transformed Amber’s Café
- sunfishweb
- Aug 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 29
Amber always dreamed of running her own café. Not just any café, but a place where people felt at home, where the smell of freshly ground coffee filled the air, and where buttery croissants paired perfectly with a flat white. Amber’s Café was her dream come to life, tucked away on a quiet street in Sydney.
Her regulars loved the place, and those who visited once often returned. But there was a problem - most people didn’t even know her café existed.
Amber watched as the café down the road, one that didn’t even serve great coffee, was always packed. “How is that even possible?” she wondered. She had done everything right - set up a website, posted on Instagram, even handed out flyers. But new customers were few and far between.
One afternoon, during a quiet moment between the morning rush and lunch, Amber sat down with her coffee and started searching online for ways to bring in more customers. That’s when she came across a term that would change everything: Local SEO.
The Lightbulb Moment: Discovering Local SEO
As Amber sipped her coffee, she read article after article about how businesses were using Local SEO to appear at the top of Google searches.
It was why some cafés popped up first when people searched for “best coffee near me” while others didn’t.
It was the reason the café down the street always seemed busy.
And it was exactly what her business had been missing.
She had an incredible café, but if no one could find her online, they wouldn’t find her in real life either.
Excited by the possibilities, Amber rolled up her sleeves and got to work.
A Café’s Digital Makeover
1. Update Google Business Profile
Amber quickly realised that Google Business Profile (GBP) was the key to getting noticed online. It’s the section that appears when someone searches for a local business, complete with photos, reviews, and contact details.
She searched for Amber’s Café, and sure enough, she had a listing - but it was barely filled out! No wonder no one could find her.
She updated her profile immediately:
Verified her café’s listing so it appeared in searches.
Added mouth-watering photos of her coffee and pastries.
Listed her opening hours, including weekends and public holidays.
Wrote a description with phrases like “Best coffee in Sydney” to match what people were searching for.
Started posting updates about new menu items and specials.
Within a few weeks, something amazing happened - her Google listing was getting more views, and she even got a call from a tourist looking for a good café nearby.
2. Fixing the Website
Next, Amber turned to her website. If people clicked on it from Google, she wanted them to feel like they had stepped right into her café.
She made some quick but powerful changes:
Added local keywords like “Sydney café with the best coffee” to her homepage and about page.
Made her contact details easy to find on every page.
Embedded a Google Map so customers could get directions easily.
Improved the mobile experience, knowing most customers would be searching on their phones.
These small tweaks made a huge difference—within weeks, more people were clicking on her website.
3. The Magic of Customer Reviews
Amber had read that Google loves businesses with good reviews. More importantly, people trust what others say about a place before visiting. So, she made it her mission to collect more reviews.
One day, she started simply asking. “If you enjoyed your coffee today, I’d love it if you could leave a quick Google review.” To make it easy, she sent customers a direct link.
Happy customers started leaving glowing reviews.
She replied to every review, thanking customers and showing appreciation.
She even showcased top reviews on Instagram and Facebook.
Soon, new customers began mentioning “We found you because of your Google reviews!” Amber couldn’t believe how much of a difference it made.
4. The Power of Being Listed Everywhere
One evening, as she locked up the café, Amber had a thought: If she was only listed on Google, what about the people searching on other platforms?
She took an extra hour that night to make sure her café was listed on:
TripAdvisor, Yelp, and local business directories.
Facebook, ensuring her location was pinned correctly.
Sydney foodie groups, where people often asked for recommendations.
The result? More people were finding her café from different places, not just Google. A group of tourists even found her through TripAdvisor!
5. Update Social Media
Amber always enjoyed posting photos of her café, but now she had a strategy. She started sharing:
Behind-the-scenes shots of her morning coffee prep.
Customer testimonials from her Google reviews.
Blog posts like “Where to Find the Best Coffee in Sydney,” featuring her own café (of course!).
Local hashtags like #SydneyBrunch and #SydneyCoffeeLovers.
Engagement skyrocketed, and soon, people started tagging her café in their own posts. Word was spreading.
How Local SEO Can Transform Your Business
It didn’t happen overnight, but businesses that embrace Local SEO often see a significant increase in visibility and customer engagement.
Many businesses report higher search visibility after optimising their Google Business Profile.
Local SEO can increase search rankings, making it easier for new customers to find you.
Businesses with strong Local SEO strategies often see more website visits and foot traffic.
Improved online presence can lead to more enquiries, bookings, and sales.
The key isn’t just having a great product or service but making it easy for people to find you when they need you most.
Want to Attract More Customers?
If you’re struggling to attract new customers, Local SEO is the game-changer you need! The best part? You don’t need to be a tech expert to make it work.
I’ve put together a FREE Local SEO Checklist to help you optimise your business step by step.
Easy-to-follow checklist - no tech skills needed!
Boost your Google rankings and attract more customers.
Stand out from the competition and grow your business!
Don’t let your competitors steal your customers just because they rank higher on Google. Take control of your Local SEO and start attracting more customers today!
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