11 SEO Tips for Restaurants to Boost Your Online Presence

Search engine optimization (SEO) is optimizing pages on your website to appear higher on Google results pages.

 

SEO for restaurant websites is a specific type of SEO that involves optimizing your pages to show up when locals search for places to eat.

Your web presence is especially crucial now that food delivery services and online ordering are upending the conventional restaurant business model. Online ordering is expanding 300% faster than in-person dining, and restaurants with online ordering systems generate 130% more income than those without. Additionally, 50% of patrons visit a restaurant's website, and 60% of diners view the menu online.

• How to start SEO for a restaurant?

   

  Understanding the Basics

   

  1. Keyword Research:

     Conduct thorough keyword research to identify the terms and phrases your potential customers might use when searching for restaurants. Consider location-based keywords like "best Italian restaurant in [your city]" or cuisine-specific terms like "authentic Mexican cuisine."

  2. Local SEO for restaurant websites:

     Optimise your website for "near me" searches by focusing on local SEO. Claim and optimise your Google My Business listing with accurate information, including your restaurant's name, address, phone number, and hours of operation.

• On-Site Optimization

   

  1. Website Optimization:

     Ensure your restaurant's website is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, and provides a seamless user experience. Optimise title tags, meta descriptions, and headers with relevant keywords.

  2. Menu and Content:

     Publish high-quality content on your website, including your menu, special offers, blog posts, and customer reviews. Regularly update and add content to keep it fresh and engaging.

• Off-Site Optimization

   

  1. Local Directories and Citations:

     List your restaurant on relevant local directories and citation sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Zomato. Ensure consistency in the information provided across these platforms.

  2. Backlink Building:

     Focus on acquiring quality backlinks from reputable sources like local food bloggers, event organisers, and publications. Backlinks from credible sites can significantly boost your restaurant's SEO.

• Engage with Social Media

   

  1. Social Profiles:

     Maintain active profiles on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Engage with your audience, share engaging content, and encourage user-generated content (UGC) through contests or hashtags.

  2. Local Influencers and Partnerships:

     Collaborate with local influencers or partner with nearby businesses to increase your restaurant's visibility. This can attract a broader audience and drive traffic to your establishment.

• How can a restaurant benefit from SEO?

   

  Even though Restaurant SEO is a long-term strategy, investing the time will pay off greatly for your restaurant. Among these advantages are:

• Growing the number of people visiting your website and placing more online orders and reservations
• Raising consumer involvement and brand awareness
• Assisting you in earning more revenue

11 Restaurant SEO Strategies to Draw Attention to Your Restaurant

Here are 11 restaurant SEO strategies that help your company get known:

Create a List of Restaurant-Related Keywords

Due to their increased concentration on local searches, restaurant keywords are more specialised. After all, if your business is in California, there's no use in rating for "Best BBQ in Texas."

This can be accomplished in two ways.

Make a list of the goods and services you provide first. As an example:

• BBQ
• Beef brisket
• Food truck catering

Next, enumerate all of your locations.

Analysing competitors is the second method for finding pertinent keywords.

Create a list of the domains of your rivals first.

Go to Google and search for one of your target keywords from the list you just produced if you need to know who your competitors are.

Most likely, your rivals are the results that rank highest.

For instance, the search term "bbq memphis tn" yields three hits at the top:

 

Source: semrush.com

First, input your competitor's website, like corkysbbq.com, into the Organic Research tool. Navigate to the "Positions" tab to view their ranking keywords. Filter out branded keywords like "corky" or "cookies" to generate a list of potential keywords.

Select promising keywords by ticking the checkbox and adding them to your list using the "+ Add to keyword list" button. Utilise these keywords to optimise your website's key pages and inspire content creation, such as articles targeting keywords like "What temp are ribs done."

Remember to include relevant "near me" keywords like "BBQ joints near me" or "Best BBQ near me" to enhance local visibility.

Establish a business profile on Google

To increase your brand's searchability, create a reachable Google My Business profile (previously known as Google My Business).

Local listing panels appear directly on the search results page for brands with Google Business Profiles.

Photos, a website link, contact information, and business hours are included in that section.

This implies prospective clients must click once to see your website or takeaway page after looking for your brand.

You must first set up Google's business feature if this is your first time using it. See our guide to Google Business Profiles for more specific advice.

 

Source: semrush.com

After that, update your profile using keywords to display your business category. For restaurants, that would be your restaurant's name and location (e.g., "BBQ in Memphis").

Incorporate keywords into your business description as well. Avoid cramming the story with keywords; instead, incorporate pertinent keywords organically.

It makes use of terms like:

• BBQ restaurant
• Memphis-style barbecue
• Pork rack
• Charcoal and hickory

In this manner, Google and searchers can easily view their content, showcasing the importance of SEO services for restaurants.

As a business attribute, keywords are also an option. These are predetermined descriptions, such as if delivery or outside dining is available at your business.

Make Your Website Work Everywhere

Today, most people look for places to eat using their phones. That's why your website needs to look good and work well on all devices. Here's how:

• Responsive Design: Use a design that fits all screens—big or small.
• High-Quality Images: Ensure pictures look great on any device.
• Simple Navigation: Have an easy-to-use menu, even on small screens.
• Readable Text: Make sure people can easily read your content.
• One-Click Access: Add buttons for easy calling or ordering.

A great example of this is Domino's website. They let customers order online, check deals, and see the menu easily on their phones. A smooth experience makes people more likely to return, demonstrating the importance of optimising an SEO agency for a restaurant.

 

Source: semrush.com

Get Listed Everywhere

When people look for places to eat, sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Foursquare appear first. You want your restaurant on those lists.

Here's how:

- Fix Your Info: Make sure your restaurant's name, address, and phone number are correct.

- Get Listed: Use tools like Listing Management to fix errors and get on multiple directories simultaneously.

- Stay Consistent: Keep your info the same across all sites to avoid confusion.

Inconsistent info can send customers to the wrong place or hurt your Google ranking.

 

Source: semrush.com

Get Noticed by Others

Having other websites link to yours is great for your Google ranking. Here's how to get those links:

- Help Each Other: If there's a nearby business, you can link to each other's websites.

- Get Featured: Sometimes, news outlets make lists of the best places. Getting on those lists is a big help.

- Find Opportunities: Tools like Link Building can help you find sites to ask for links.

- Reach Out: Contact those sites and ask them to link to your restaurant.

The more trusted sites link to you, the better it is for your Google ranking. Use tools to find sites that might link to you and reach out to them.

Showcase Your Menu Online

Your menu is vital in influencing customers' decisions. They want to see what's offered and if it's worth it.

For instance, Pai's detailed menu features categories, allergens, ingredients, and enticing visuals. They use a particular menu schema that Google displays directly on search results. This means potential customers get the needed info without leaving the search page, improving their experience.

 

Source: semrush.com

 

Source: semrush.com

Leverage Social Media Engagement

Social media significantly influences diners. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok drive engagement and visibility. Magnolia Bakery and Chipotle effectively use Instagram and TikTok to engage, answer queries, and promote new offerings, boosting SEO and attracting customers.

Harness the Power of Reviews

Authentic reviews showcase your restaurant's quality. Encourage customers to leave reviews through QR codes, social media, or emails. Respond promptly to reviews, positive or negative, to build trust. Tools like Semrush’s Review Management help manage and respond to reviews across various platforms. SEO services for restaurants will help maintain a positive online reputation.

 

Source: semrush.com

Optimize for Voice Search

 

Source: mettermedia.com

Voice search is on the rise. Tailor your content to answer customers' questions naturally. Focus on long-tail, conversational keywords that align with customer queries, optimizing for phrases like "best pasta restaurant near me" or "Where can I find carbonara in New York?"

Implement Schema Markup

Schema Markup enhances search engine understanding of your business. Collaborate with a developer to integrate restaurant-specific structured data into your website’s code. This inclusion enables search engines to display relevant information in search results, such as direct links to your menu.

Start a Blog

A restaurant's homepage, about us, menu, upcoming events, contact details, and sometimes a review page are the only pages you'll often find on it.

However, how about a blog?

Consider adding a blog to your website if you have a marketer on staff and would like to devote more time and effort to search engine optimization. It can raise your search engine ranks, generate traffic, and grow your clientele.

Regarding what would a restaurant write? That's where we start to become imaginative.

Bottom line

These eleven pointers will assist you in laying a solid basis for your restaurant's SEO, increasing sales and brand recognition. The next thing to do is learn to deal with all the extra people entering your business!