Summary
Local SEO for restaurants makes it possible for you to reach potential customers in your locality. To begin with, make sure to enhance your Google Business Profile, address the NAP discrepancy, and incorporate location-specific keywords. Supplementing with good pictures, getting reviews, and developing localized content will also help. Furthermore, do take mobile optimization, schema markup, and voice search tactics into account.
Did you know there are over 1 million restaurant locations across the United States, and 70% of them are single-unit operations? (Source: WebstaurantStore). If you are a restaurant owner this might sound overwhelming at first.
But here is the thing: You are not in competition with all of them. If you own a bistro in Austin, you are not in competition for clients from New York. Your rival is just within your vicinity.
Most of the restaurants or cafes are small-scale companies such as yours which have less than 50 workers.
Big national franchises may afford to advertise in expensive campaigns. But as for the localized search results, actually, small businesses do have a fair chance on these.
For example, if you want every person in your location to look for “the best tacos that are close to me” or “restaurants that are suitable for the entire family” you want to be the first name they see.
That’s what SEO for Local restaurants does.
We have compiled this guide from our experience and expertise so that you can get the best from Local restaurant searches.
Increase Local Reach with an Optimized Google Business Profile
For the diners searching for your restaurant, the starting point is often your Google business profile. You can create this profile without cost and it contains essential information like contact details, directions, and even operating hours.
Your optimized GBP improves your restaurant’s visibility in local searches. As a result, you can turn nearby diners into customers.
Now the most important part of GBP – ensure your profile is fully optimized.
Would you like to open a profile that is not finished or one that has pictures, reviews, and all other relevant details?
Analyze the image below and try to decide which of the two profiles users would be more likely to open.
How to Claim and Verify Your Restaurant’s Google Business Profile?
Starting Nov. 21, only verified Google Business Profiles (GBP) can run ads(Source: APNews).
Therefore, Google made the verification method a little bit stricter than the previous one. But don’t worry. If you are a real business owner and have a real onsite business, you can do that without any problems.
Here is the step-by-step guide:
- Sign In to Google
Use your Google account. If you don’t have one, create it. - Search for Your Business on GBP
Go to Google Business Profile and search for your restaurant. If it’s listed, claim it. If not, add it manually. - Enter Business Details
Provide your restaurant’s name, address, phone number, website, and hours. - Choose a Category
Pick the category that best matches your restaurant (e.g., “Seafood Restaurant”). - Verify Your Business
Choose a verification method:- Postcard: Google mails you a code.
- Phone/Text: Get a code via call or SMS.
- Email: Receive a code by email.
- Video Recording: Submit a video of your location.
- Live Video Call: Verify with a Google rep in real-time.
- Enter Your Verification Code
Once you get the code, log into GBP and confirm your business. - Optimize Your Profile
After verification, add photos, respond to reviews, and keep details updated to improve visibility.
You can learn more from Google’s official page.
Maintain Accurate and Up-to-Date Business Information (NAP)
Accuracy is paramount in local SEO, especially for restaurants. Your name, address, and phone number, or NAP for short, are like your online visiting card.
Search engines use this information to connect diners with your restaurant directly. Inconsistent data will confuse the search bot which can affect your search ranking.
Why Does NAP Consistency Matter?
Search engines, such as Google, consider NAP details to understand if your restaurant is genuine and credible.
In case your information is mismatched across various platforms – website, Google Business Profile, Yelp, and different social networks – search engines become confused.
This can lower the ranking of your restaurant in search results.
Even worse, in some instances, customers could arrive at the wrong address or call an inactive number. These minor mistakes undermine your reputation and result in a loss of business.
Good Example of Accurate NAP
Let’s say you own a restaurant called “Tasty Bites.” Your business name, address, and phone number appear the same on:
Website: Tasty Bites, 123 Main Street, Cityville, (555) 123-4567
Google Business Profile: Tasty Bites, 123 Main Street, Cityville, (555) 123-4567
Yelp: Tasty Bites, 123 Main Street, Cityville, (555) 123-4567
This consistency builds trust with both search engines and customers. It tells Google your business is reliable.
Bad Example of Inconsistent NAP
Now, let’s look at a restaurant that gets it wrong:
Website: Tasty Bites, 123 Main St, Cityville, (555) 123-4567
Google Business Profile: Tasty Bites Café, 123 Main Street, City Town, (555) 987-6543
Yelp: Tasty Bites LLC, 125 Main Street, Cityville, (555) 123-4567
See the problem? Different names, addresses, and phone numbers will confuse search engines and potential customers.
Capture Diners’ Attention with High-Quality Photos of Your Food and Ambiance
A picture makes a more lasting impression than any review. Once a user finds your restaurant online, the photos of your restaurant can determine whether they would want to make that visit or not.
An appropriate image of a cozy dining setup or your signature dish can contribute greatly and similarly on the other hand poor images can cause a user to stay away.
For example, a user is looking for pasta restaurants in the nearby area, and when searching they come across two listings.
One has vibrant images of fresh pasta, inviting tables, and happy diners
and the other has dark images of an empty room.
It’s quite easy to assess which restaurant a user would want to go to. Take real pictures of your restaurant by hiring a professional photographer. It’s a long-term investment, so don’t hesitate to spend some money on great pictures.
Pro Tip: Don’t use stock images as that will create a trust issue.
Customer Reviews Can Make a Huge Difference
Potential diners are more likely to believe customer’s opinions of the restaurant, rather than what the owner has to say and what claims they make.
Customer reviews can help build trust, enhance reputation, and position the business in better rank. Google loves businesses that have more recent and positive reviews.
Let’s take the keyword ‘best sushi restaurants near me.’
From the search results, one restaurant has 10/12 reviews and the other one has 100 reviews.
Which one would you pick? Most people go with the option that feels trustworthy, and reviews provide that reassurance.
You should also respond to the reviews. If you get a negative review, answer that with professionalism. Even a bad review can turn into an opportunity to impress future customers if you handle it well.
Do Proper On-Page SEO to Get Higher Ranking
On-page SEO is a broad topic. Let’s break down the topic to help you understand what you can do to rank higher for potential customers.
Proper Keyword Research to Identify Local Search Terms
People searching for food near them don’t type generic phrases like “good restaurant.” Instead, they use specific local terms, such as “best tacos in Austin” or “pizza near Times Square.”
If your restaurant isn’t targeting these local phrases, you’re missing out on a lot of potential customers.
Why Keywords Matter for Local SEO for Restaurants in the US
If you are a seafood restaurant owner in Boston, the best phrases that you should focus on are “fresh lobster Boston” or “seafood restaurant near Fenway Park”.
These types of searches show high intent- people searching for it will be willing to go out to eat. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Google Trends can even assist in discovering what locals are looking for.
You may also utilize Answer the Public to learn about the common questions potential customers might ask, such as “Where to eat seafood in Boston?”. Apparently, you can use this information to improve your online presence such as your website and Google Business Profile.
You should also analyze which queries relate to your competitors’ popularity. Look up restaurants that are in your niche and check their choice of words on their websites or Google profiles.
For example, if a competitor located in Chicago has the term ‘late-night pizza Chicago’ as the target keyword, you can write content or even add keywords to your profile containing relevant terms, only that they are slightly different.
The key is to focus on location-based keywords that match your audience’s search behavior.
If you are not familiar with keyword research, you can get help from any SEO expert. But this thing is mandatory for higher ranking for the term people are looking for.
Optimize Meta Descriptions and Title Tags with Local Keywords
Your title tags, and your meta descriptions, are the first point of interaction with your potential customers.
For instance, avoid a generic title like “Tasty Pizza” and instead be more specific and use something like: “A Tasty Pizza In Chicago – Fresh Ingredients Locally Sourced.”
The same goes for your meta description. Don’t write something like, “We have been serving delicious pizza since 1990,” instead write “Tasty Pizza serves freshly prepared homemade and friendly pizza, which is located in the heart of Chicago.”
Making these minor adjustments helps provide vital information to Google and prospective clients.
Remember, getting the top position on the SERP is not enough. People should click on your website.
The title tag and meta description encourage potential buyers to click on the webpage.
Create Location-Specific Content to Engage Your Local Audience
To reach more local customers, your message must feel personal. Creating unique, location-specific content helps you connect with nearby diners and improve your local search ranking.
Instead of writing a typical meal review such as “Top Dishes to Try,” you can write that specific to your target audience. For example, “Top 5 Must-Try Dishes in Austin,” or “Best Places for Outdoor Dining in Brooklyn.”
Furthermore, you can use your social media and other platforms with posts about Local Events in LA, Seasonal dishes in Miami, or local businesses you pair up with in Chicago as it makes it seem that you are a member of the community.
Or better yet, use local queries to craft content that goes like “the best brunch places around Times Square” or “family restaurants around Portland.”
Make Your Website Fast and Mobile-Friendly
Website speed has been a Google ranking factor since 2010, with mobile page speed added in 2018. Fast-loading, mobile-friendly sites rank higher in local search results and keep visitors engaged.
Over 60% of Google searches happen on mobile devices and 53% of users leave a site that takes longer than 3 seconds to load. You do not want to lose customers just because of your site’s speed.
Use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights to identify slow-loading pages and fix them.
Use Schema Markup to Help Search Engines Showcase Your Restaurant Perfectly
Have you ever noticed when you search using terms like “Italian restaurant near me” some restaurants come up with their menu, hours of operation, and some customer reviews? That is the magic of Schema Markup.
Schema markup is structured data that helps search engines display key details about your restaurant and attract more attention in search results.
Here are some key schema types your restaurant should use:
- Restaurant Schema: Highlight your name, address, phone number, and cuisine type.
- Menu Schema: Show your dishes, prices, and descriptions right in search results.
- Review Schema: Display customer ratings.
- Opening Hours Schema: Shows opening and closing times including holidays.
- Reservation Schema: Let people book a table directly from Google.
Local Citations and Backlinks to Increase Your Restaurant’s Online Authority
Get Your Restaurant Listed Everywhere Locally
Local citations are simply mentions of your restaurant’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on websites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, or local directories.
The more Google can find your name published over the internet, the more they would recommend your restaurant to be genuine and trustworthy.
Everything needs to match perfectly. If your address is cited on Yelp but different from the one on Google it creates confusion to both the search engines and potential customers.
Tip: Use tools like Moz Local to keep all your listings consistent without the headache.
Earn Backlinks from Local Sites to Gain Trust
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your restaurant. Linking sites are regarded as trustworthy by Google and so when they point to your restaurant, they are actually vouching for your business.
You can achieve this by working with local bloggers, sponsoring events, as well as inviting popular personalities in the food niche to visit your outlet.
Example: A link from a local food blog that reviews your restaurant is more valuable than a random national directory link.
Focus on Community Links for a Local Boost
Backlinks from local websites or organizations belonging to your specific neighborhood can help you gain more recognition.
These may include sites of local business associations, community blogs, local festivals, etc. These links help to better position you so that users who are looking for restaurants in their area can find you easily.
Idea: You can support a local charity or food festival, and they’ll feature your restaurant on their website. It’s a great way to get noticed and build trust in your community.
Use Social Media to Boost Local Engagement and Reach
Though many SEO gurus say social signals do not directly impact your SEO that is not entirely true. Many studies show that social signals in fact help Google to provide better results.
Furthermore, social media is a great tool for reaching and engaging with the local community. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms offer a great opportunity to promote the personality of your restaurants and the menus you offer.
Post regularly. Don’t just post promotional content. Post more engaging content, and ask for new dish ideas to keep your followers engaged.
Use local hashtags and geo-tags to reach more people in your area. For example, a Portland café can use tags like #PortlandEats to attract local foodies.
Optimize Your Website for Voice Search
Over 4% of adults in the U.S. use voice search daily (TechReport).
Voice search is usually longer than the typed version because it is more casual conversation, for instance, a user would say “Where Can I Find the Best Deep Dish Pizza in Chicago”, instead of typing “Best pizza in Chicago.”
To optimize for voice, focus on local keywords, FAQs, and natural language. Include phrases like “near me” and “open now” in your content.
Don’t forget to keep your updated date on Google Business Profile as voice assistants often pull data directly from it.
Local SEO Mistakes That Most Restaurants Overlook
- Absence of internal linking toward location pages.
- Missing out on local partnerships for backlinks.
- Uploading photos without geotags.
- Using fake-looking stock photos instead of real ones.
- Forgetting to check your SEO performance regularly.
- Neglecting local engagements and keywords that are seasonal.
- Not updating your holiday hours on Google.
- Outdated & boring location pages with generic content.
- Failing to donate/sponsor local events.
- Failing to realize the search trend of people typing in “near me.”
Let Abedin Tech Serve Up Your Local SEO Needs
Running a restaurant is stressful, and you shouldn’t have to worry about local SEO for restaurants.
You can get expert help from Abedin Tech. From your Google listing to managing reviews, we take care of it all and you will appear in locals’ searches for a meal. You worry about making excellent food and we will do our best to ensure everybody can see you. Ready to receive more customers? Let’s chat.
