Consumers today are not searching for your restaurant name—what they crave. Whether it’s “downtown sushi best” or “spicy chicken wings around me,” how visible you are in searches like that is based on your visibility.
Craving more butts in the seats? Take a gander at these data- and diner-habits-influenced SEO tactics.
1. Your Google Business Profile Is Your Online Front Door—Make It Irresistible
Something people see before they even glance at your Instagram or website is likely your restaurant on Google. Complete Google Business Profile Optimization is the recipe for showing up in local search and Google Maps.
Here’s how to do it:
Show off your menu: Include specific dishes—not just categories. People often search for meals, not cuisine types. If someone looks up “paneer tikka,” and you’ve listed it, you’re more likely to appear.
1. Snap hearts with images: Photos do count—a great deal. Google data and statistics prove that photo profiles get a far higher number of clicks and navigation requests. Share more than one or two. Emphasize your food, drinks, ambiance, and even happy customers.
2. Introduce order and reserve capabilities: Make it easy for people to do something. Introduce links to reserve via platforms like OpenTable or introduce ordering on the internet—yours, specifically, since nearly half of consumers prefer ordering straight from the store instead of via apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash.
2. Positive Reviews Drive Discovery—Encourage More of Them
Online reviews are their gold weight to your reputation and your search ranks. They’re not just comments from customers—they’re local SEO giants.
How to get more real reviews:
- Just ask (at the right moment): A friendly nudge after lunch or through email can do wonders. Most will review them—they just don’t forget.
- Share your review links: Put links on your site, social media profiles, and even printed tickets or placards at the restaurant.
- Respond and engage: Reply to individuals for writing reviews—both good and bad. Active engagement is rewarded by search engines, as it is by your potential clients.
3. Think beyond Food: Optimize for Location-Based Searches
Not everyone searches for dish or cuisine. Most diners’ search is “restaurants near [attraction],” particularly day-trippers or tourists.
How to reach this crowd:
Name nearby landmarks: Name the large sites, parks, venues, or shopping areas near your place on your website. Even a general mention like “Just 5 minutes from Central Park” will suffice.
Content local-friendliness: Blog entries or landing pages on “Where to eat around [local hot spot]” can help you rank for more local searches.
4. The More (Relevant) Links to Your Site, the Better Your Rankings
Backlinks—other websites linking to your website—are Google upvotes in your book. The more relevant links you accrue, the more authoritative your site appears.
Rapid methods for acquiring backlinks
Contact food influencers and bloggers: Invite them in for a bio or taste test. If they blog about eating at your restaurant, they will most likely link back to your site.
Call your suppliers: If your coffee beans or your wines are supplied by a reputable vendor, simply call and ask if they keep a list of restaurant partners on their home page. They probably do—and a back link from their site can enhance your credibility.
Study competitors: Employ SEO tools to see which sites the competitor sites link from but yours don’t. Pitch your restaurant for an interview next.
5. Your Site is Intuitive to the Dining Experience—Make it Easy to Use and SEO-Friendly
Consider your site to be your virtual host. If it’s clunky, sluggish, or difficult to maneuver—particularly on a mobile device—you can lose a guest before she ever checks out your menu.
Skip the PDF menus: Menus must be live text on a web page. PDF menus are not accessible on mobile devices and rarely found by search engines.
Fix technical problems: Crashed links, sluggish images, or crashed Meta tags can damage your SEO effectiveness. Do regular audits to keep your site in perfect shape.
Be mobile-first: Most of the local searches come from phones. Your site needs to be responsive, quick, and thumb-friendly.
Final Thoughts: SEO Isn’t Optional—It’s Your First Impression
You can serve the greatest food in the city, but if you are not discoverable online, it won’t cut it. Restaurant SEO isn’t about gaining clicks—it’s about making sure hungry patrons can find you when they are looking for you.
Prioritize these areas, and see how quickly your tables fill up.
