Search engine optimization (SEO) is a strategy for getting your business more visibility on search engines like Google. Local SEO, which focuses on optimizing your website for local searches, is an important part of any SEO strategy. There are many ways restaurants can optimize their websites to attract customers from nearby cities and towns.
Optimize your Google My Business listing.
The first step is to create a Google My Business listing, which you can do by visiting the Google My Business website. You’ll be given the option to add photos, address and phone number information, hours of operation and more.
Once you have created your listing, it’s important that you verify it so that it shows up in search results. To verify your business listing on Google Maps or Search (depending on which platform they have), go into edit mode and click on “Get Verified.” This will take users through a few steps where they must provide proof that they run the business in question; proof could include links from social media profiles or official websites displaying logos or branding for example. Once verified as being legitimate–and after going through this process once–you shouldn’t have any trouble keeping things updated moving forward!
Local citation signals are essential.
Citations are one of the most important elements for local search. They’re essentially social proof, showing that other websites consider your business to be worth mentioning.
Citations can help give you an edge over competitors because they show Google that people around the world think highly enough about you and your business to include it on their own websites or blogs.
The best way to get more citations is by creating good content that people want to share with their audiences (and linking back).
Encourage online reviews of your restaurant.
As a restaurant owner, you know that online reviews are important. Reviews let potential customers know what they can expect from your restaurant before they even step foot inside it.
If you have an established customer base and have been in business for a while, then the chances are good that some of your customers have already left reviews for you on sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor. However, if this isn’t the case–or if there are no reviews at all–then encourage people who visit or eat at your restaurant to leave one!
You can do this by putting up signs in the establishment itself asking people to write something about their experience on TripAdvisor or Yelp (or both).
You can also ask them directly via social media: “Was everything okay? If so we would love if u could share ur experience by writing us a review on @TripAdvisor”
Using Social Media for Customer Engagement and Promotion
When you’re using social media to engage with customers and promote events and specials, it’s important to keep in mind that there are two main goals. The first is to answer any questions they have about your restaurant or food. This is a great opportunity for you to build relationships with people who are interested in what you have to offer and may not know much about it yet. You can also share pictures of the restaurant, as well as pictures of the food itself!
This will help build trust between the business owner/operator and potential customers–and who doesn’t want more trust?
Optimize your website for local search.
When it comes to local SEO, your website is the first place you should start.
- Optimize your copy for local keywords. When you’re writing content for your website, make sure that you’re using keywords that people in your area would search for–this is how Google knows what area of town you’re in and will help them find their way to your door! For example: If I were writing a blog post about restaurants in Vancouver West End, a neighbourhood (a popular one), I might include terms like “West End” or “Vancouver West End.”
- Optimize URLs with location-specific information. You can also use URL parameters to highlight when they click through from search results. One way we’ve seen this done well by many brands is by adding city name plus state abbreviation as part of their URL structure so that when someone searches for something like “restaurants near me,” these businesses come up first because they’re geographically relevant.
Complement your local SEO strategy with a direct mail campaign.
Local SEO is great, but it’s not the only way to reach customers. Direct mail can still be a valuable part of your marketing strategy. In fact, direct mail can complement local SEO by reaching customers who have already been searching for your restaurant online.
If you’re looking for another way to connect with customers offline, direct mail might be just what you need!
Local SEO: Reaching Customers in the Right Place and Time
It’s not just about getting more traffic from Google. It’s about getting more qualified leads and customers for your business through your website or app. And it’s not just about being found by people searching for “restaurants near me.” Local SEO is also about making sure that when someone searches with an intent-based keyword like “Italian restaurant in Vancouver” or “pizza delivery in Burnaby,” they find you first!
Conclusion of The Best Local SEO Strategy For Restaurants
So, what are you waiting for? With the right strategy and tools, building your local SEO can be easy. You don’t need to hire an expensive consultant or agency to get started–follow these tips, and start seeing results!
