Proven Restaurant SEO Strategies To Attract More Guests

One of SEO optimized restaurant website template from BOWWE

Why should you care about restaurant SEO? Because it puts your restaurant right where people are looking. 

Think about it: when your website ranks higher in search results, more people find you. And not just any people—people who are hungry and searching for their next meal. With restaurant SEO, you can make sure it's your menu they see first. Plus, did you know that 76% of millennials and 74% of bridge millennials use Google almost every month to decide where they're going to eat? That’s a lot of potential customers who could be heading your way thanks to restaurant SEO! 

Thinking about how to start with restaurant SEO? It's all about getting the details right, both on your website and beyond it. From the words you use on your menu to how you show up in local search results, every piece plays a part in attracting more diners.

"Pizza in London" search in Ahrefs

When someone is hungry for a new dining experience, they often start with a quick Google search using keywords. These are the terms they type into the search bar to find what they're craving, like “best pizza in Chicago” or “open late coffee shop.” To connect with these potential customers, you'll need to use the right keywords on your website.

Start by using tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, Google Trends, or Google Ads (look for Keyword Planner) to conduct keyword research. These tools can help you understand which keywords have a lot of people searching (volume), how tough the competition is (competition), how relevant they are to your business (relevancy), and what people intend to find when they search those keywords (intent).

Your keyword strategy can vary. You might focus on specific dishes like “pasta salad,” or go for location-based keywords like “salad bar in San Antonio.” Consider using a mix of high-intent broad restaurant terms, niche keywords, and branded keywords.

• High-intent broad restaurant terms: These keywords are general but imply a strong intent to engage with services or products immediately. Example: "dine-in Italian restaurant". 

• Niche keywords: These keywords are more specific and cater to particular tastes or dietary preferences, helping to attract a targeted audience. Example: "vegan pizza Los Angeles". 

• Branded keywords: These include the name of the restaurant and are used by customers who are specifically looking for your business online. Example: "KFC menu".

Don’t forget about long-tail keywords, which are longer and more specific phrases (example: "best vegan pizza in downtown San Diego"). They're typically less competitive and attract a more defined audience, potentially increasing your conversion rates because they closely match what people are specifically searching for.

Lastly, incorporate location-specific keywords that include city, state, or region names (example: "coffee shops in Manhattan"). These are crucial for appearing in "near me" searches or when a potential customer specifies a location in their search query. 

Content creation in BOWWE through AI Text Generator

Now that you know the importance of selecting the right keywords to boost your restaurant's visibility in search results, let's put those seo keywords for restaurants to effective use. Here's how to optimize your content across various elements of your website:

• Headlines: Use keywords that capture attention and clearly relate to the content of the page. Example: "Best Seafood in Miami – Fresh and Tasty". 

• Body text: Incorporate keywords naturally within the text. Example: "Experience the best seafood in Miami at our waterfront dining spot, where every dish is an invitation to savor the sea."

• Calls to action: Encourage readers to take action with keyword-focused prompts. Example: "Book your table today to enjoy the best seafood in Miami!". 

• Meta title: This should be concise and include your primary keyword. For a menu page, use something like "Miami Seafood Restaurant Menu | [Restaurant Name]".

• Meta description: A compelling description with keywords can improve click-through rates. Example: "Explore our delicious seafood menu at [Restaurant Name], the top-rated spot for fresh catches in Miami. Reserve your table now!"

• URL: Ensure URLs are readable and include keywords where relevant. Example: www.[yourrestaurantname].com/best-seafood-miami.

• ALT image text: Describe images with relevant keywords to improve SEO and accessibility. For a photo of a seafood platter, use "Platter of Miami’s best seafood featuring shrimp, scallops, and oysters."

Website copy should be keyword-optimized to boost your restaurant website SEO, but it's equally important to create content that provides value and addresses your customers' needs regularly. 

For instance, you can add a News section to share updates like new menu items or upcoming events. Blogging is another powerful tool; it allows for regular updates with fresh content such as recipes or fun facts about the cuisine you offer. Regular blog updates are excellent for incorporating long-tail keywords and answering common customer questions, which helps improve your site’s authority and draw more organic traffic.

Link building is vital for enhancing your restaurant's online visibility. It involves getting hyperlinks from other websites to your own, which search engines see as a sign of trust. This not only improves your website's authority but also boosts your search rankings. Focus on acquiring high-quality, relevant links to avoid penalties from search engines. 

• Example: Partner with local food bloggers to write reviews about your restaurant or share your unique dishes on their websites with dofollow link to your website.

Link building also includes internal linking—creating links between pages on your own website. This improves your website's structure, makes it easier for visitors to navigate, and distributes page authority more effectively, enhancing SEO.

• Example: Link from your homepage to your menu page, and from your blog posts about special events back to your online reservation system. 

Additionally, encourage customers to review your restaurant and share your content on social media. Getting mentioned on local websites and food blogs can also greatly increase your visibility and credibility.

• Example: Offer a small discount on their next visit if customers check-in online or tag your restaurant in their social media posts.

Structured data results for restaurant search

Structured data might sound technical, but it's really just a way to help search engines understand and categorize your restaurant's website more effectively. By using a standardized format known as schema markup, you can tell search engines exactly what your content is about. 

One key type of markup for restaurants is the Local Business Schema. This allows you to tag specific details about your restaurant, such as: 

• Name and Rating: The name of your restaurant appears prominently in search results along with star ratings from reviews, such as "Pizzeria ★★★★☆".

• Price Range: Right below the name and rating, the price range might be displayed, providing quick insight into cost (e.g., "$$-$$$").

• Menu: A direct link to the menu is available, allowing potential customers to click through and view the offerings right away. 

These tags enhance your restaurant online visibility, making it more likely that someone searching for a great place to eat will choose your venue. You can find a complete list of tags suitable for restaurants at schema.org/Restaurant.

Example of Google Business Profile for restaurant

When potential customers search for places to eat, details like ‘Open now’, ‘Italian’, or ‘Top-rated’ can really stand out in Google search results thanks to well optimized Google Business Profile. With restaurants receiving an average of 127 calls, 173 website visits, and 98 direction requests per month from Google Business, it’s clear just how impactful a well-maintained profile can be.

Here’s how to make the most of your Google Business Profile:

• Name, address, and phone number: Always keep this information up-to-date. Accuracy here helps customers find your physical location without any hassle.

• Upload photos: A picture is worth a thousand words. Restaurants with enticing photos of their space and dishes average 67 photos per listing. These images draw more attention and engagement from potential customers.

• Fill out attributes: Attributes like 'outdoor seating' or 'vegan options' help Google match your restaurant with what people are searching for. The more specific you are, the better Google can showcase your restaurant's unique features.

• Add your menu: Upload a current menu that includes prices and descriptions. This helps customers make a decision from the search results page itself, increasing the chances they’ll choose your restaurant.

• Get more reviews: Encourage your satisfied customers to leave positive reviews. More and higher quality reviews can improve your visibility and attractiveness in search results.

• Use posts: You can use posts to inform potential customers about special offers, events, or new menu items. Posts keep your profile active and engaging, which can capture the interest of people browsing for places to eat.

Remember, your Google Business Profile is often the first impression potential customers have of your restaurant, so make it count!

Online menu templates for restaurants by BOWWE

If you're still using PDFs or photos for your menu online, it's time to switch to a text-based format. Not only is this better for your restaurant SEO, but it also makes it easier for customers to read your menu on any device without having to zoom in and out. Remember, 85% of people check menus online before deciding where to eat, and 30% might give up on visiting your restaurant if the menu is hard to navigate or looks outdated.

Looking for a hassle-free way to create and update your restaurant's menu online? With BOWWE, designing professional and attractive menus is simple, whether you choose from our expertly designed templates or decide to build your menu from scratch—no coding required! Plus, if you’re strapped for time, you can even let us handle the creation of your menu. You can start now! 

Our online menu builder is designed to help you attract new customers effectively. By using BOWWE, you ensure that your menu is not only appealing but also optimized for search engines, which can significantly increase your restaurant's online visibility. Try it now for free!

To ensure your restaurant’s website performs well in search results, focusing on some basic but crucial SEO improvements is essential. Here’s what you need to prioritize:

• Load Time: The faster your website loads, the better the user experience and the more favorable your site is viewed by search engines. Customers expect quick information, especially when they’re hungry! Optimize images, streamline your coding, and choose reliable hosting to speed things up.

• Responsiveness: A responsive website automatically adjusts to fit the screen it's being viewed on, whether it's a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. With most users searching on mobile, having a responsive design is non-negotiable for attracting diners who make decisions on the go.

• SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): Security is a top priority for everyone online. An SSL certificate encrypts data sent between your website and your users, like credit card information and contact details. Search engines rank secure sites higher, and users trust them more.

• Indexing: Make sure search engines can easily crawl and index your website. Use tools like Google Search Console to submit your sitemap and check for crawl errors. Proper indexing ensures all your pages have the chance to appear in search results.

• Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics 4 provide critical insights into your website’s traffic and user behavior. Understanding where your visitors come from, what pages they visit, and how long they stay can help you refine your SEO and marketing strategies to better meet their needs.

Each of these elements plays a vital role in your overall SEO restaurant strategy, helping to boost your visibility online and drive more potential customers to your restaurant.