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Simple SEO Tips Every Sourdough Microbakery Owner Should Know | Episode 88



Running a sourdough microbakery means wearing a lot of hats—baker, marketer, customer service rep, and sometimes even delivery driver. And if you're anything like me, you probably started this business from a place of passion, not with a full background in marketing or SEO.


But here's the truth: you can bake the most beautiful, delicious loaves—but if people can't find you when they search online, you’re missing out on real local customers.

That’s why today, I’m walking you through six practical, beginner-friendly ways to improve your local SEO (search engine optimization). These are the exact steps I’ve researched and taken myself, and they don’t require fancy tech knowledge or hours at the computer.

This is not about ranking globally. It’s about helping your neighbors find your bread when they’re searching for “sourdough near me.” Let’s make it easier for them to find your microbakery instead of heading to the grocery store.


1. Claim Your Google Business Profile (This Is the Big One)

If you only do one thing after reading this, let it be this.

  • Head to google.com/business

  • Set up your profile with:

    • Business name

    • Your town/city

    • Phone number

    • Hours (if applicable)

    • Website or ordering link (Hot Plate, Simply Bread, social media—whatever you use)


Add a few clear, well-lit photos of your bread, your pickup setup, or your smiling face. And then—ask 2 or 3 customers for a quick review. It makes a big difference.

Worried about privacy?You don’t need to list your home address. Choose “service area business” and select your town or service area instead. Google will still show you in local searches, but your address stays private.


Pro tip: describe your offerings in your bio using keywords like “handmade sourdough,” “microbakery in [your town],” or “organic bread in [neighborhood name].”


2. Use Local Keywords Everywhere You Can

Whether you have a full website, a Linktree, or just Instagram, make sure you’re describing your business with the same kind of words your customers are typing into Google.


Think:

  • “Sourdough in Nashville”

  • “Local bread pickup in San Antonio”

  • “Microbakery in Charlotte”

  • “Saturday bread market in Tulsa”


Use these phrases in:

  • Your Instagram bio

  • Your Linktree or Link-in-bio page

  • The header or About section of your website or Hot Plate page

  • Your Simply Bread profile

And don’t forget your image file names—rename your bread photos before uploading them with keywords like “sourdough-loaf-bluebird-bread-bulverde.jpg.”


3. Write a “Find Us” Section (Even If You Don’t Have a Storefront)

This one is simple and powerful. Somewhere—your homepage, your ordering form, or your contact page—add a short paragraph that explains where people can find you.

Here’s a simple template:

“We offer weekly sourdough pickups in the [town] and [neighborhood] area, located near [landmark or zip code]. You can find us at the [market name] every Saturday from 9–1.”

This reinforces your location for Google and helps customers understand where you are and how they can shop with you.


4. Use Local Hashtags and Tag Your Location on Social Media

Even if Instagram SEO feels like a mystery, location tagging can make a difference.

These small actions help you show up in more local searches and get in front of the right people.


5. Rename Your Photos Before Uploading Them

Yes, this makes a difference.

Instead of uploading photos with default names like IMG4567.jpg, rename them with descriptive, keyword-rich file names:

  • sourdough-loaf-bulverde.jpg

  • organic-sourdough-market-bread.jpg


Google can’t “see” your photos—but it can read the file names. Help it understand what’s in the picture so it can match it to search results.


6. Create a Pinned Intro Post on Instagram

This isn’t a technical SEO tip—but it’s a customer-connection tip.

Make sure you have a pinned post that clearly shows:

  • Your face

  • Your name

  • What you sell

  • Where you sell it

  • How to order


This way, when someone does find you through a search or tag, they immediately know who you are and how to buy from you.

So many times, I come across a bakery account that looks amazing—but I have no idea where they are. Let’s make it easy for our people to find us.


Bonus: Don’t Wait for It to Be Perfect

You don’t have to do all of this at once. You don’t need to become an SEO expert. But taking even one small step—like claiming your Google Business profile—can help your community find you faster.


Start with what feels most doable, and layer on the rest when you can. Little by little, you’ll start to see the impact.


Quick Recap: 6 SEO Steps for Microbakers

  1. Claim your Google Business Profile and ask for reviews

  2. Use local keywords on your website, bio, or order form

  3. Rename photo files before uploading them

  4. Add a “Find Us” section with your service area

  5. Use location hashtags and tag your town on social

  6. Create a pinned intro post on Instagram with the basics


Want Help Optimizing Your Bio?

I’m sending out an Instagram bio template in my Monday email newsletter to help you show up better in search—and tell your customers who you are and how to buy from you in just a few lines.


If you’re not on the list yet, you can join here!

Whether you’re brand new to this or just trying to level up, I want you to know—your bakery matters. The work you’re doing matters. And little steps like this add up.


I’m so proud of you for taking this seriously and showing up like the business owner you are.


See you next week,

Caroline


Resources & Links


Try Sunrise Flour Mill Organic Heritage Flour: 20% off Sunrise Flour Mill https://thebreadwinner.captivate.fm/sunrise20




 
 
 

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