How to Get More Customers as a Cafe in Australia

Published by MoneyNearMe | Updated June 2025 | 10-minute read

Introduction

Most cafe owners in Australia still rely on foot traffic and word of mouth to fill seats. And fair enough — that approach worked brilliantly a decade ago. But the game has shifted dramatically.

In 2026, roughly 97% of consumers search online before choosing a local business. That includes your next regular. The person who'll order a flat white every morning, grab a toastie twice a week, and bring their mates on Saturday. They're Googling "best cafe near me" right now, and if you're not showing up, someone else is getting that customer.

Here's the reality for cafes across Australia: competition is fierce, margins are tight, and the cost of everything from milk to wages keeps climbing. You can't afford to leave customers on the table. The good news? Getting more customers as a cafe in Australia doesn't require a massive budget or a marketing degree. It requires a system.

This guide walks you through exactly how to get more customers as a cafe in Australia — step by step, from the free stuff you can do today to the advanced strategies that separate packed cafes from empty ones. Whether you're running a single shopfront in Marrickville or three locations across the Gold Coast, these steps apply.

Let's get into it.

TL;DR

• This is a step-by-step guide to getting more customers as a cafe in Australia using proven digital marketing strategies
• We cover Google Maps optimisation, reviews, website rankings, content marketing, AI search visibility, and tracking
• The average cafe customer spends $10–$30 per visit, meaning even a handful of new daily customers can shift your revenue by thousands per month
• Most of these steps cost nothing but time — though the results compound faster with professional help

Step 1: Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile

If you do one thing after reading this article, make it this. Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the single most powerful free tool available to any cafe owner in Australia. It's what shows up when someone searches "cafe near me" or "best coffee in [your suburb]" on Google Maps.

And yet, we audit cafe profiles every week that are either unclaimed, half-filled, or haven't been updated since 2021.

Here's how to set yours up properly:

1. Claim your profile at business.google.com. If you haven't already, Google will verify you via postcard, phone, or email. Do this today — verification can take a week.

2. Complete every single field. Business name (use your real trading name, not a keyword-stuffed version). Address. Phone number. Website. Hours — including public holiday hours. Service options like dine-in, takeaway, and delivery. Price range. Attributes like "wheelchair accessible," "dog-friendly outdoor seating," or "free Wi-Fi."

3. Choose the right categories. Your primary category should be "Cafe." Secondary categories might include "Coffee Shop," "Breakfast Restaurant," or "Brunch Restaurant" depending on what you offer.

4. Upload high-quality photos. At minimum: your storefront (so people recognise it from the street), your interior, three to five of your best dishes and drinks, and your team. Google's own data shows that businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more website clicks.

5. Write your business description using natural language. Mention your suburb, what you're known for, and what makes you different. Don't stuff it with keywords — write it like you're telling a mate about your cafe.

6. Post weekly updates. Google Business Profiles have a "Posts" feature that most cafes ignore entirely. Use it to share specials, new menu items, events, or seasonal offerings. It signals to Google that your business is active, and it gives potential customers more reasons to visit.

A fully optimised GBP alone can drive dozens of calls, direction requests, and website visits per week. We've seen cafes go from 30 profile views a month to 300+ just by getting this right.

Step 2: Get Your Website Ranking for Local Keywords

Your Google Business Profile gets people's attention. Your website seals the deal — and captures the searches your profile can't.

Too many cafe websites are a single page with a menu PDF and an Instagram link. That's not enough to rank for anything. If you want to show up when someone searches "best brunch cafe Bondi" or "dog-friendly cafe Brisbane," you need pages that target those terms.

Here's the approach that works:

Build location-specific pages. If you serve customers in multiple suburbs or your suburb has distinct neighbourhoods, create dedicated pages. A page titled "Best Cafe in Fitzroy" with genuinely useful local content will outrank a generic homepage every time. Include your address, a Google Maps embed, photos specific to that location, and a clear call to action.

Create service-based pages. Think about what your customers actually search for: "breakfast cafe," "lunch spot near me," "cafe with function space," "cafe catering Melbourne." Each of those deserves its own page with relevant content, internal links, and a strong headline.

Nail the technical basics. Your site needs to load fast (under three seconds on mobile), be fully mobile-responsive, use HTTPS, and have proper title tags and meta descriptions on every page. If you're on Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress, most of this is achievable without a developer.

Add your NAP consistently. NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone number. It must be identical everywhere — on your website footer, your Google Business Profile, your social media, and any directory listings. Inconsistencies confuse Google and hurt your rankings.

For a deeper dive on this, check out our full guide on SEO for cafes where we break down keyword research, on-page optimisation, and technical audits specifically for Australian hospitality businesses.

Step 3: Build a Review Generation System

Reviews are the new word of mouth. They're also a direct ranking factor for Google Maps. Cafes with more high-quality reviews rank higher, get more clicks, and convert more searchers into paying customers. Full stop.

But here's the thing — happy customers rarely leave reviews unprompted. You need a system.

When to ask: The best time is immediately after a positive interaction. If a customer compliments the food, thanks your barista by name, or tells you they'll be back — that's the moment. Strike while the emotional connection is fresh.

How to ask: Keep it simple and direct. A verbal ask works well: "That's so great to hear — would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? It genuinely helps us out." Then make it frictionless. Have a QR code on the counter, on receipts, or on a small card with the bill. The QR code should link directly to your Google review page, not your profile — directly to the review prompt.

Use a follow-up system. If you collect emails or phone numbers (through a loyalty program, online ordering, or bookings), send a short follow-up message. Here's a template that works:

"Hey [Name], thanks for visiting [Cafe Name] today! If you enjoyed your experience, we'd love a quick Google review — it only takes 30 seconds and helps other locals find us. [Link]"

Respond to every review. Positive or negative. Thank people by name for positive reviews and address negative ones professionally. This shows Google (and future customers) that you're engaged, responsive, and trustworthy.

Aim for a steady stream of reviews rather than a sudden burst. Two to three new reviews per week is a healthy, sustainable target that keeps you climbing the local rankings.

For more on building your local authority, read our guide on local SEO for cafes.

Step 4: Create Content That Attracts Customers

Content marketing for cafes sounds strange at first. You're not a media company — you're making coffee and smashing avo. But publishing useful content on your website is one of the most effective (and cheapest) ways to attract new customers through search.

What kind of content works?

• Local guides. "The 5 Best Brunch Spots in [Your Suburb]" — yes, include your competitors. Google rewards genuinely helpful content, and featuring yourself alongside other respected cafes builds credibility.
• FAQs. "Do we take bookings?" "Are we dog friendly?" "What's our parking situation?" These are the exact questions people type into Google before visiting. Answer them on a dedicated FAQ page.
• Behind-the-scenes posts. Where you source your beans. How your chef develops the seasonal menu. Why you chose that particular suburb. This builds trust and brand connection.
• Event and seasonal content. "Mother's Day Brunch at [Cafe Name]" or "New Winter Menu 2026." These pages capture timely search traffic and can be repurposed year after year.

The key is consistency. You don't need to publish daily — one solid blog post every two weeks will compound over time. Each post is a new entry point for someone discovering your cafe through Google.

Write for humans first, search engines second. If the content is genuinely useful, Google will reward it.

Step 5: Optimise for AI Search (GEO)

Here's where things get forward-looking. AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google's AI Overviews are changing how people find businesses. Instead of scrolling through ten blue links, users are asking AI "What's the best cafe for brunch in Surry Hills?" and getting a direct answer.

Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) is how you make sure your cafe is the one being recommended.

AI tools pull their answers from well-structured website content, Google Business Profile data, reviews, and authoritative mentions across the web. That means everything in Steps 1 through 4 feeds directly into your AI search visibility.

To specifically improve your GEO:

• Make sure your website content clearly states what you offer, where you're located, and what makes you different — in plain, factual language
• Get mentioned on reputable local blogs, food directories, and media outlets. AI tools weigh third-party mentions heavily
• Structure your content with clear headings, lists, and concise answers to common questions

This is still an emerging field, and most cafes haven't even heard of it yet. That's your advantage. We wrote a full breakdown in our GEO for cafes guide — worth reading if you want to stay ahead of the curve.

Step 6: Track Your Results

You can't improve what you don't measure. And too many cafe owners pour time into marketing without knowing what's actually working.

Here's what to track:

• Google Business Profile insights. Track how many people viewed your profile, requested directions, called you, or clicked to your website. Google provides this data free inside your GBP dashboard. Review it monthly at minimum.
• Website traffic. Install Google Analytics (it's free) and monitor which pages get the most visits, where your traffic comes from, and whether visits are trending up or down.
• Phone calls and form submissions. If you take catering enquiries, function bookings, or any kind of lead through your website, track the volume. Use call tracking if you want to attribute calls to specific marketing channels.
• Keyword rankings. Know where you rank for your target terms — "cafe [suburb]," "best brunch [city]," etc. Tools like Google Search Console (free) show you which searches bring people to your site.
• Review velocity. Track how many new reviews you're getting per week and your average star rating over time.

Set a 30-minute monthly check-in to review these numbers. You'll quickly spot what's driving results and where to focus next.

When to Hire a Professional

Everything above is doable yourself. But let's be honest — you're running a cafe. You're managing staff, suppliers, food costs, equipment maintenance, and a hundred other things before 7am. Marketing often gets pushed to "when I have time," which means never.

Here's when it makes sense to bring in help:

• You've claimed your Google Business Profile but your phone still isn't ringing
• You don't have the time or expertise to build and optimise website pages
• Your competitors are outranking you and you're not sure why
• You want to grow faster than organic DIY efforts allow

At MoneyNearMe, we work exclusively with Australian service businesses — including cafes and hospitality operators. Our packages range from $500 to $2,000 per month depending on your goals and competition level. That includes Google Business Profile management, local SEO, content creation, review strategy, and GEO.

When you consider that a single new regular customer can be worth $200–$500 per month in revenue, the maths works out quickly.

Get a free audit of your cafe's online presence →

Frequently Asked Questions

How can cafes get more customers online?

Optimise your Google Business Profile, build a website targeting local keywords, generate consistent reviews, publish useful content, and make sure you're visible in AI search results.

What's the fastest way to get more calls as a cafe?

Fully optimise your Google Business Profile with photos, correct hours, and a complete description. Most cafes see increased calls within two to four weeks.

How much should I spend on marketing as a cafe?

Allocate 3–5% of gross revenue as a starting point. For a cafe turning over $500K, that's $15K–$25K annually — enough for professional local SEO and content.

Is Google Ads or SEO better for cafes?

SEO delivers better long-term value for cafes because customer searches are local and recurring. Google Ads can supplement during slow periods or for specific promotions.

Ready to stop leaving customers on the table? Talk to our team about a local SEO strategy built specifically for your cafe →