Have you ever searched your own salon and thought…

“Why am I nowhere to be found?”

You’re not alone.

In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I break down exactly why some salons consistently show up on Google, in the Map Pack, at the top of search, and in paid positions, while others stay invisible.

And no, it’s not luck.

It’s structure. Strategy. And consistency.

Because here’s the truth:

Google isn’t favouring your competitors.

It’s rewarding them.

There are three key places your salon can appear on Google:

• Google Ads (paid placements at the top)

• The Google Map Pack (your Google Business Profile visibility)

• Organic SEO rankings (your website positioning)

If your Google Business Profile is incomplete, outdated, inactive, or poorly optimised, you are handing bookings to your competitors, daily.

In this episode, we cover:

1. The “visibility gap” most salon owners don’t realise they have
2. Why incomplete Google Business Profiles cost you clients
3. How to properly optimise your Google Business Profile (services, links, descriptions, categories)
4. Why linking Google Ads to your Google Business Profile is underutilised, and powerful
5. How reviews influence your rankings (and why responding matters)
6. Why regular updates signal activity and authority to Google
7. The hidden damage broken booking links create
8. Why auditing your online directories and NAP consistency is essential

If nobody can find you, you are a billboard in the desert.

And if your ideal client can’t see you when they search “hair salon near me”?

They’re booking someone else.

This episode is for you if:

1. You’ve Googled your salon and felt frustrated by what you saw
2. Your competitors are ranking higher and you don’t know why
3. You rely heavily on Instagram but want predictable bookings
4. You want a system that works even when you’re behind the chair

Want more?

Book your free Salon Scaling Demo:

https://offer.sonjathesearchqueen.com/salon-scaling-system

Follow me on Instagram: @sonjathesearchqueen

Visit: sonjathesearchqueen.com

Love this episode?

Tag me @sonjathesearchqueen with your biggest takeaway.

And if this helped you see Google differently, leave a 5-star review so we can help more salon owners stop being invisible.

There’s a lot of pressure on business owners to rely on referrals, word-of-mouth, or social media to keep bookings coming in, but what happens when those channels disappear overnight?

In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I’m joined by Michelle Murphy, owner of Mercy Physio, & Baby Swim, for a grounded and honest conversation about visibility, resilience, and why Google became the backbone of her business growth.

Michelle took over the clinic just as a major referral pathway closed, wiping out a once-reliable stream of new clients. Instead of panicking, discounting, or burning herself out trying to be everywhere at once, she made a strategic decision to invest in being found, and it changed everything.

Because here’s the truth:

Referrals aren’t guaranteed

Social media is unpredictable

And if your business isn’t visible on Google, you’re invisible to people actively searching for your services

This episode is for service-based business owners who want stability, predictability, and growth, without burning out or relying on luck.

In this episode, we cover:

1. Why Google became the primary growth channel after referrals disappeared
2. How strategic Google Ads and SEO led to a 40% increase in business over two years
3. Why visibility creates peace of mind, not just leads
4. How adding new services, and making them searchable, unlocked new revenue
5. The emotional and lifestyle impact of predictable bookings on business owners and their families

This episode is for you if:

1. You’ve relied heavily on referrals and now feel exposed or uncertain
2. You know your service is exceptional but feel invisible online
3. You want consistent bookings without discounting or chasing clients
4. You’re ready to build a business that can withstand change

About Michelle Murphy

Michelle Murphy is a Titled Pelvic Health Physiotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She is the owner of Mercy Physiotherapy & Baby Swim, leading a team of 23 staff, and the founder of Glow Pelvic Health, an education platform supporting health and fitness professionals working with women.

Michelle is deeply passionate about empowering women to live active, vibrant lives through every stage of life, and is committed to mentoring and collaborating with other professionals to create meaningful community impact. A mother of two young children, she is a lifelong learner who believes in doing purposeful work, and enjoying the journey along the way.

Want more?

Book A Call for Salon Scaling System

Buy The Search for Resilience: Amazon Link

Download the free Google Ads & SEO Checklist

Follow me on Instagram: @sonjathesearchqueen

Visit: sonjathesearchqueen.com

Follow Michelle:

website: www.mercyphysio.com.au

Social Media account: @mercy_physio

Love this episode?

Tag me @sonjathesearchqueen with your biggest takeaway.

And if this episode resonated, please leave a 5-star review so we can reach more business owners who need to hear it.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by the inspiring Lisa from Glamour Empire in Tamworth, NSW, an incredible salon owner who, alongside her business partner Renee, has 2.5x’d her salon revenue in just three months. Yep, you read that right. And it’s not just the numbers that have changed, it’s the entire business.

Lisa shares exactly what life looked like before working with us, why she finally said yes to Google (after years of sticking with social media), and the incredible ripple effect it’s had on her business, team, and personal life.

If you’re a salon owner still relying solely on social, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible when you stop guessing and start scaling strategically.

We Talk About:

What it was really like before signing up with The Search Republic

Why gaps in the books are more expensive than you think

How her team morale shifted once the pressure to “market” was lifted

The unexpected joy of watching junior stylists fill their books faster

How Google now brings in ideal, high-ticket clients ready to buy

Why social media alone wasn’t cutting it, and what finally did

How increased revenue = more time, more freedom, and better family balance

Lisa’s vision for expansion

About Glamour Empire
Located in Tamworth, Glamour Empire is a full-service hair and beauty salon specialising in weddings, blondes, lashes, and luxe experiences. Lisa and Renee lead a team of 10 passionate professionals committed to making every client feel seen, celebrated, and stunning. Their salon is a local institution with a reputation for both talent and heart.

Links Mentioned:

Follow Glamour Empire: @glamour_empire

Want to 2.5x your revenue like Lisa? Book a free Google strategy call: https://thesearchrepublic.com.au/contact-us/

Grab the free SEO & Google Ads checklist: [Insert link]

Follow Sonja: @sonjathesearchqueen

Loved this episode?
Share it with a salon owner who needs to hear it. And tag @sonjathesearchqueen
and @glamourempire_tamworth
with your biggest takeaway!

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with the powerhouse behind Coast Hair Henley, Gemma Urbank, who proves what’s possible when courage meets strategy.

When we first met, Gemma had her back against the wall. Revenue was tight, her apprentices were standing around with gaps in the books, and she'd been burned by past marketing agencies. Fast forward just two months, and Gemma has not only doubled her salon revenue but created space in her calendar and headspace to breathe, lead, and dream bigger than ever.

This isn’t just a marketing story, it’s a resilience story. A reminder that you’re just one decision away from a very different business.

We Talk About:

Why Gemma said “yes” when she had every reason to say “no”

How her salon went from gaps and stress to fully booked (including the juniors!)

The mindset shift that helped her trust again after being burned by agencies

What her team needed to finally shine, and how systems played a role

The personal ripple effect: how letting go created space to grow 3 businesses

Why salon owners need to stop calling marketing a “cost” and start seeing it as a team member

What she’d tell any salon owner still sitting on the fence

About Gemma Urbank
Gemma is the owner of Coast Hair Henley, a coastal salon in Adelaide specialising in blondes, extensions, and head spa experiences. She’s a fierce leader, visionary entrepreneur, and mum of three with a heart of gold—and a story that proves anything is possible when you choose yourself.

Links Mentioned:

Follow Coast Hair Henley: @coasthairhenley

Want the Google Ads & SEO checklist? Grab it here

Book a free strategy call: https://thesearchrepublic.com.au/contact-us/

Follow Sonia: @sonjathesearchqueen

Loved this episode?
Tag @sonjathesearchqueen
and @coasthairhenley
with your biggest insight. Don’t forget to subscribe, and share this with a salon owner who needs to hear what’s possible.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by one of my all-time favourite clients, the incredible Rosemary Chalmers, owner of D'or Hairstylists in New Zealand.

When Rosemary and I first met, her salon had inconsistent bookings and under-utilised stylists. Fast forward 18 months: not only is her team fully booked, but she’s doubled her team, doubled her revenue, and finally taken her first holiday in six years. This is what’s possible when your marketing strategy meets systems that actually work.

Whether you’re feeling stuck in your bookings, struggling to find good staff, or questioning if Google Ads are worth it, this episode will change your mind (and your business).

We Talk About:

How Rosemary went from inconsistent bookings to being fully booked (with a waitlist)

Why hiring us was the turning point after a bad agency experience

How she doubled her team from 6 to 12 and still has no gaps in the calendar

The internal systems that support her salon’s seamless client journey

What she does to retain 85% of clients and consistently grow homecare sales

Her top advice for salon owners on the fence about investing in Google visibility

Why she’s now planning to expand into a bigger space (at age 55!)

About Rosemary:
Rosemary is the founder and owner of D'or Hairstylists in Arrowtown, NZ. Her salon offers a luxury experience in a welcoming, multicultural space. With an incredible team culture, a passion for growth, and a heart for community, Rosemary proves that it’s never too late to scale and evolve in business.

Links Mentioned:

Book a strategy session with Sonja: https://thesearchrepublic.com.au/contact-us/

Follow D'or Hairstylists: dor_hair

Get the Google Ads + SEO checklist: sonjathesearchqueen.com/google-ads-and-seo-checklist

Follow Sonia on Instagram: @sonjathesearchqueen

Loved this episode?
Share it on your stories and tag @sonjathesearchqueen
. Let us know what inspired you!

Still think your Google Business Profile is “just another listing”?

In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I’m breaking down the most powerful free visibility tool in the entire salon industry, the one that decides whether dream clients choose you or your competitor down the road.

The truth? Your Google Business Profile is the #1 driver of local bookings, and most salons are neglecting it.

After helping salons generate millions in client appointments, I can tell you this with absolute certainty:
70% of local bookings start on Google Business Profiles.

In this episode, I share:
Why Google Business Profiles outrank every other platform for local bookings
The “veggie patch” analogy that explains exactly how Google decides who gets seen first
Why 92% of search traffic coming from Google should change how you market your salon
The truth about responding to bad reviews (and how to protect your reputation)
How one salon doubled bookings in 60 days with simple GBP optimisations
Why your photos, reviews, and updates directly impact client trust and conversions
Whether you’ve ignored your GBP, updated it randomly, or relied on social media alone, this episode is your wake-up call.
When you understand how clients actually choose a salon, you’ll never underestimate your Google Business Profile again.

Want more?

Book your free Salon Scaling Demo:
https://offer.sonjathesearchqueen.com/salon-scaling-system

Follow me on Instagram: @sonjathesearchqueen
Learn more: sonjathesearchqueen.com

Loved this episode?

Tag me @sonjathesearchqueen with your favourite insight or takeaway.

Because visibility isn’t luck, it’s a strategy to build the salon (and lifestyle) you actually want.

Still think Google Ads is too expensive for your salon?

In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I’m busting the biggest myth that’s keeping salon owners broke, burnt out, and believing that visibility is something only the big brands can afford.

The truth? Google Ads isn’t an expense, it’s a profit generator when done right.

In this episode, I share:

Why most salon owners waste money on ads (and how to avoid it)

The real reason your last campaign flopped (hint: it wasn’t the platform)

How one salon owner went from 5 to 11 stylists (and signed a new 190sqm lease!)

Why having your friend or cousin run your Google Ads is costing you $$$

The difference between low intent clicks vs high intent traffic

Why we focus on 3–5 high-ROI services first—and build from there

Whether you’re running your own ads, outsourcing to someone who isn’t delivering, or avoiding Google completely—this episode is your wake-up call.

When you know where your marketing dollars go, you’ll never say “Google Ads doesn’t work” again.

Want more?

Book a free strategy session: [Link in show notes]

Download the Google Ads + SEO checklist: Get it here

Follow me on Instagram: @sonjathesearchqueen

Learn more: sonjathesearchqueen.com

Loved this episode?
Tag me @sonjathesearchqueen
with your favourite insight or takeaway.

Because marketing isn’t a cost, it’s a tool to build the salon (and lifestyle) you actually want

What Actually Gets You Found on Google (And Why Most Salons Miss It)

Think your salon will magically show up on Google just because you have a website?

Think again.

In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I break down the 3 most overlooked ways to get found on Google—and why most salons are leaving visibility (and money) on the table by skipping these steps.

If you’ve ever wondered why your competitors are ranking while you’re still invisible, this one’s for you.

In this episode, I share:

The power of your Google Business Profile—and why most salons are using it wrong

What relevance, distance, and prominence actually mean for local rankings

How to link your Google Ads to your Business Profile for double visibility

The difference between Google Ads (rent) vs SEO (mortgage)

Why we refuse to run Google Ads on unoptimised websites—and what we fix first

The “Ferrari website” analogy you’ll never forget (and why your engine matters)

Plus, I share real-world cost comparisons between Meta and Google Ads—so you can stop wasting money and start showing up where your dream clients are already searching.

Want more?

Book a free Google strategy session: [Link in show notes]

Download the Google Ads + SEO checklist: Download here

Follow me on Instagram: @sonjathesearchqueen

Learn more: sonjathesearchqueen.com

Loved this episode?
Tag me @sonjathesearchqueen
and share what landed.
And don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a 5-star review if this helped shift your strategy.

Because visibility isn’t luck—it’s a system you can build. 🔍✨