Local SEO and GBP Tips for Restaurants
Local search traffic is a lifeline for restaurants, with most customers turning to Google to find their next meal. So, optimising your restaurant’s Google Business Profile (GBP) and staying on top of your local SEO strategy is essential to ensure you appear prominently in search results. A well-maintained and fully optimised GBP can make all the difference between a potential customer choosing your restaurant or your competitor’s.
Why Your Google Business Profile Matters
A Google Business Profile is more than just an online listing – it’s a dynamic tool that can significantly enhance your restaurant’s visibility in local searches, both on Google Search and Google Maps. While the process of setting up a GBP is straightforward, maintaining and optimising it requires ongoing effort. This continuous optimisation is crucial for keeping your restaurant’s profile fresh, relevant and accurate, ensuring it ranks highly in local searches.
Tips for Optimising Your Restaurant’s Google Business Profile
Include Locally Relevant Keywords
Your restaurant’s business description is a prime spot for integrating locally relevant keywords. For instance, if you’re running a Thai restaurant in London known for its Pad Thai, mentioning “best Pad Thai in London” naturally in your description can help you appear in searches for that phrase. This keyword integration can increase the likelihood of your restaurant being seen by local customers searching for specific dishes or cuisines in your area.
Add All Relevant Categories
Choosing the right categories for your GBP is crucial – these categories tell Google what searches to rank your restaurant in, and help potential customers find you when they’re searching for specific types of dining experiences. You should select a primary category that best describes your restaurant, such as “pizza restaurant,” and then add relevant secondary categories like “pizza delivery” or “Italian restaurant.” Just be cautious not to add categories that don’t accurately reflect your offerings, because this will confuse both Google and your potential customers.
Select Relevant Attributes
Attributes are additional details that enhance your GBP listing by highlighting specific features or services your restaurant offers, like “dine-in,” “takeaway,” or “patio dining.” Try to include as many relevant attributes as possible – this will help your restaurant appear in more detailed searches like as “kid-friendly Italian restaurant” or “burgers with outdoor seating near me.”
Add High-Quality Photos and Videos
Visual content is incredibly important for restaurants. Potential customers want to see what your food and dining environment look like before they visit. Regularly update your profile with high-quality photos and videos of your menu items, interior, exterior, and staff, and keep your visual content fresh by adding new images whenever there are updates like new menu items, renovations, or special events.
Enable Online Reservations and Orders
Google offers restaurants the ability to take reservations and orders directly through their GBP. By enabling these features, you can convert more local search traffic into customers without them having to leave Google. This convenience can be a significant factor in attracting and retaining customers, and helping you grow your business.
Encourage and Respond to Customer Reviews
Positive reviews are a powerful tool for attracting new customers. Google reviews not only influence potential diners but also impact your restaurant’s local search rankings, so encourage satisfied customers to leave a comment after their visit and make it a point to respond to all reviews you receive, both positive and negative. This shows that you value customer feedback and are committed to providing excellent service, which can enhance your restaurant’s reputation and rankings.
Keep Your Information Up to Date
An often overlooked aspect of GBP management is keeping your business information accurate and up to date. Google rewards businesses that maintain consistent and correct information, so regularly update your address, phone number, hours of operation, and any special seasonal hours for events like Christmas and New Years. Accurate information helps potential customers find your restaurant when it’s actually open, improving your chances of them making a reservation.
Keeping your profile up to date and fresh is the key to staying ahead of the competition and ensuring your restaurant is easy to find in local searches. By following these tips and regularly updating your GBP, you can attract more local customers and grow your business.
If you want help creating a tailored local SEO strategy to grow your restaurant business, get in touch with the team at Artemis Marketing today and we’d be delighted to discuss the options with you.
