In today’s digital age, where searching for information and services is primarily done through mobile devices and computers, getting your restaurant to stand out in “Near Me” search results has become a strategic priority to attract local customers.
The “Near Me” feature of search engines uses geolocation to provide users with relevant and convenient options in their immediate neighborhood. For restaurant owners, this means an invaluable opportunity to increase the visibility of their business and engage an audience looking for dining options nearby.
In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to optimize your restaurant’s online presence and ensure it appears at the top of “Near Me” search results. From managing profiles on key platforms to optimizing your website and engaging with customer reviews, we’ll discover how to stand out in the digital age and attract local diners effectively.
1. Local search statistics affecting your store
Statistics are the beacon that guide our strategies. When it comes to local SEO, these figures reveal an undeniable reality: local search is booming, and its influence on consumer behavior is profound.
Picture this: 92% of internet users still turn to local search, even in the age of mobile apps. And what about the fact that more than 50% of restaurant searches “near me” result in visits to a physical store on the same day?
Here we’ll leave you with a series of shocking statistics that shed light on the growing importance of local SEO.
- 46% of searches have local intent.
- 98% of consumers read and/or write reviews online. Source: BrightLocal
- 86% of people search for a business location on Google Maps. Source: HubSpot
- 88% of consumers who conduct a local search on a mobile device visit or call the company within 24 hours. Source: Localiq
- 64% of small businesses have a local SEO presence. Source: Localiq
- 97% of people learn more about a local business online than anywhere else. Source: BrightLocal
1.1. What is local SEO?
The Local SEO is the process of optimizing your online presence to increase local traffic, visibility and brand awareness. Common local SEO tasks include:
- Optimizing the profile of your commercial branches on Google
- Find keywords related to local searches
- Create relevant content for potential customers near the branch office
And any business that has a physical location or serves a geographic area can benefit from local SEO, as can your restaurant to show up in “near me” searches. Here’s an example of a local search result on Google:
Read more about it at: Complete guide to Local SEO [2023]
1.2. Report: proximity searches
Is it better to be recognized or to be reachable? The answer, without a doubt, is both. We examined an extensive set of 450,000 establishments, ranging from small businesses to well-known brands in Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Argentina. This was to see how local searches on Google, specifically those related to brands and categories such as those in the “near me” restaurant field, impact these types of businesses and how consumers search for nearby establishments.
Whether you are looking to refine marketing strategies for your restaurant, or oversee local marketing initiatives for several small businesses in the industry, this study is essential.
Study of local searches in Google.
2. How do I get my business (Restaurant) to show up in searches near me?
Now it’s time to create a strategy so that you can increase your local rankings and increase traffic. The following steps will help you do that:
2.1. Conduct local keyword research
Keyword research for local SEO is the process of finding keywords that people use when searching for local products and services.
Ranking for these keywords generates highly targeted local traffic to your site and sends you more customers.
To get started, you need a short list of keywords that people can use to find your restaurant. Here are a few different ways to get started:
Uses Google’s autocomplete feature
Google autocomplete is a feature of Google Search that makes it faster to complete searches when you start typing. The goal is to save users time by predicting what they will search for.
This is because Google’s autocomplete predictions depend in part on your location.
All of these locations are near Arcadia or in California.
So, to find valuable local keywords, start typing keywords related to your business. For example, if you have a Restaurant, type “Restaurant” into Google to get a list of local keyword suggestions.
Try combinations of different local keywords. You should have a list of keywords for your Restaurant SEO in no time.
Leverage Google Keyword Planner
The Google Keyword Planner helps you find keywords for paid search campaigns. But it’s also great for discovering new keywords related to your business.
Start by going to the “Discover new keywords” section.
Click on the “Start with a website” tab. Then, enter the domain of one of your competitors.
Click on “Get Results” and Google will suggest a bunch of keywords based on the terms that appear on that page.
Repeat the process with three of your main competitors and add all relevant keywords to your list.
2.2. Optimize your Google business profile
A Google business profile is a free business listing with information about your business.
It provides you with details such as location, services, products and photos. Google will then include it in local search results.
Read more in: Create your Google My Business account
Optimizing your business profile is one of the most important local SEO tasks, according to Google.
Which means you need to create a Google business profile if you want to have any chance of ranking well in local searches.
Here are some tips on commercial profiles:
- Set detailed business hours (including holidays)
- Select various attributes to describe your Restaurant (such as outdoor seating, Wi-Fi, etc.)
- Upload photos and videos on a regular basis (promotes engagement and improves rankings)
2.3. Encourages online reviews
Reviews and testimonials build customer confidence.
They provide social proof, validate the experience and give potential buyers confidence in your business.
Consumers read reviews regularly and consider them essential. In addition, Google recommends responding to reviews to show that you value your business and customer feedback.
Read more about it at: How to see my Google reviews and improve online presence
Here are some more tips for online reviews:
- Verify your business profile (to respond to a review, you must be a verified business)
- Remind customers to leave reviews (you can create and share a link in the Google business profile)
- Do not offer or accept money in exchange for reviews (it is against Google’s terms)
3. Improve the SEO of your website
On-site SEO optimization involves improving your site’s pages to achieve higher rankings in natural search results, and is an essential component of a marketing strategy to highlight your restaurant on near me. If you achieve a strong position in the organic results, you significantly increase your chances of gaining visibility in the local results set.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to get your restaurant to show up in Google’s “Near Me” results.
Remember, to improve your online presence and stand out on Google and Google Maps, having a review and customer experience management strategy can make all the difference. You can count on RAY, a comprehensive solution that can help you improve your Google reviews, rank high in search results and provide an exceptional customer experience.
4. Continue learning with these articles
Hopefully, at this point you will have no problems to start working on your Restaurant’s local SEO. You can continue reading more articles that will help your brand or business in our Blog.
