Local SEO for restaurants is one of the best ways to promote your business online. In addition to making sure your website is mobile friendly, you can also utilize Schema markup and Credible citations. Plus, of course, you can engage diners on your website. However, success with local SEO may not always be straightforward to measure; you may see high traffic volume but not convert those visitors into paying customers.
Mobile-Friendly Website
Restaurants must make their website mobile-friendly in order to reach out to new customers. Over two-fifths of internet users access the web on their phones, and 25 million people in the US alone use this method. Restaurants need a website that is responsive and loads quickly no matter what connection level users have – otherwise, businesses will lose customers and experience lower revenue due to poor experiences. Furthermore, optimizing for mobile use increases SEO value which helps potential customers locate your restaurant more quickly.
Optimizing your website for mobile devices involves using fewer graphics and more white space. If you do include graphics, make sure they are functional and help promote your restaurant brand. Furthermore, keep in mind that mobile users typically don’t have much room to scroll through content – thus the need for white space to separate content.
Menus should be easy to read on a mobile device, as if the menu is too difficult to follow on an iPhone, customers will look elsewhere. To make your website mobile-friendly, avoid pinching and zooming and provide a thumb-friendly call button. Providing directions and business hours is another great way to make it user friendly on these smaller screens.
Responsive design for your website will make it look stunning on any device. Think of your website as the first doorway to your restaurant; it should be user-friendly and convert visitors into customers.
Schema Markup
Implementing schema markup on your restaurant website can boost click-through rate and proximity signals, as well as define the attributes of your local business to maximize visibility on search engines. Here are some tips to get started with schema markup for restaurants:
First and foremost, make sure your menu is up to date. Most search engines display menus uploaded from third-party sources, such as Google. Furthermore, incorporate pertinent keywords and conduct extensive keyword research for maximum impact; for instance, users may prefer the word’sarnie’ over’sandwich’ so use dining keywords related to cuisine and food categories.
Next, ensure the content of your website is accurate. Include all pertinent information in your Meta Description, such as where your restaurant is located, what items are served there and any reviews or ratings received. This helps search engines recognize your business and target the demographic you wish to reach; additionally, it gives Google a detailed description of your menu options. Finally, leverage social media for promotion of your restaurant!
This SEO technique is easy to implement, yet few businesses have taken advantage of it. Nonetheless, this strategy will remain popular for some time to come as a great way to boost your website’s visibility in local searches. Furthermore, you can utilize schema markup tools to make your site more search engine-friendly.
If your restaurant website contains valuable content, schema markup can help boost its ranking in local search results. This method helps increase click-through-rates (CTR) and conversion rate by giving search engines a deeper understanding of your business. When used correctly, schema markup gives you an edge over competitors.
Credible Citations
Acquiring citations on various sites is essential for your restaurant’s local SEO initiatives. Citations serve as evidence of your business existence to Google, helping it rank higher in local searches. Citations should include information such as the name, address, phone number and other specifics about your establishment – plus they build trust and authority with potential customers.
Google My Business is an example of a citation. This listing allows people to easily locate your restaurant on the web and even has direct access to your menu. It includes all pertinent details such as name, address, phone number, website link and photos – even if they don’t contain links. Your restaurant’s citations can still be valuable even if they don’t contain any links.
Google Post is another way to increase your restaurant’s visibility. By creating a post on the site, you can post up to 300 words about your establishment and include pictures as well as links to both your menu and reservations page. Credible citations for local SEO purposes are another great way to gain attention and drive customers towards your establishment.
Another way to improve your restaurant’s local SEO is by regularly updating citations. Verifying that all details about your business are correct can prevent misinformation, reduce revenue and damage your reputation. A poor citation could compromise both of these elements.
Citations can be acquired through various methods, but the most efficient is creating listings on popular directories and review sites. While this may take some time to complete, the effort pays off in the end; some citation management services help automate this task.
Engaging Diners
Engaging diners is an integral component of local SEO for restaurants. This strategy will drive traffic to your restaurant while raising brand awareness, which in turn could lead to the sale of more franchises in new areas. Furthermore, as your restaurant grows, so can your marketing strategy adjust accordingly.
Studies show that nearly 90% of people search for local businesses online at least once a week. This means optimizing your restaurant website, social media accounts, and listings can give you access to thousands of potential diners. Therefore, investing in a local SEO strategy is highly recommended.
Engaging on social media is essential for improving your local SEO rankings. A robust presence will make your restaurant stand out from competitors. One popular networking site, Facebook, boasts over three billion users; creating a Facebook page and adding useful information can easily drive more traffic and enhance local SEO performance.
For restaurants, providing a great mobile experience is essential. Nearly half of people use their smartphones to search for local businesses, so making sure diners can easily find what they need on your website is key. Without mobile-friendliness, customers may abandon their carts – negatively affecting your bottom line. Fortunately, Google recognizes this need and prioritizes websites with lower bounce rates.
Another way to engage diners is through Google My Business. Here, you can include direct links to menus and deeper pages for your restaurant. Your restaurant’s Google My Business page includes information about your establishment such as its name, address, phone number, website, photos and menu. Another important part of local SEO for restaurants is local citations – references on the web about your business.
Word-of-mouth Marketing
One of the most efficient methods for marketing a local restaurant is word-of-mouth. This strategy involves having potential customers learn about a business through personal recommendations made by others. According to Nielsen, 92 percent of consumers trust earned media such as personal recommendations. One example of how word-of-mouth marketing works for local businesses is Nextdoor — an app that allows neighbors to recommend nearby establishments.
Word-of-mouth marketing can also assist local restaurants in improving their online reputation. The more positive reviews a business receives, the better; 88% of consumers trust online reviews and 58% of Facebook users say they would share their good experiences with friends on the platform. Furthermore, the more photos customers post of their dining experiences at restaurants, the wider the reach of these posts on social media networks.
Word-of-mouth marketing for local restaurants can help restaurants boost their profits. By providing excellent service and an inviting atmosphere, restaurant owners can encourage repeat business by rewarding satisfied customers with rewards or incentives. Furthermore, they may create fun campaigns to motivate guests to refer their friends to their favorite eateries.
Word-of-mouth marketing is an effective way to gain new customers. To make it successful, be active on social media; respond to comments, participate in forums and share user-generated content. Engaging with customers via social media makes them more likely to become “true fans” who will promote your brand to their friends. As a result, word-of-mouth marketing can exponentially expand your business.
Word-of-mouth marketing campaigns that work are visually pleasing. Make your restaurant environment attractive and Instagrammable for maximum impact. One successful example is Always’s successful campaign that introduced new girl power symbols as well as an eye-catching environment.