Restaurants securing a higher spot on Google Maps have the golden ticket to drive new customers. Recent studies proved that almost 50% of all Google searches are done to get local information. Among these searches, restaurants are one of the most sought after niches. Therefore, optimizing Google Maps ranking for restaurants isn’t just an option for you- it’s a must.
In this blog, you will learn how to optimize Google Maps ranking for restaurants and dominate the local searches.
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of getting to the top of the local searches, let’s understand first how Google Maps can be a powerful tool to speed up your restaurant’s growth.
How Google Maps Can Grow Your Restaurant
When people think about visiting a restaurant, they want a sneak peek into it to know what to expect there. This intention is clearly noticeable in their online searches. Google Maps gives you the opportunity to display your restaurant details (images, operating hours, services etc) on search engines. Consequently, if anyone searches for restaurants in your locality, Google Maps will show your restaurant on search results to satisfy the searcher’s queries and give you more customers. Below, we have described in detail how Google Maps help restaurants grow. Check out.
1. Improves Local SEO:
A properly created Google Maps listing boosts your restaurant’s visibility on local search results. Consequently, potential customers will find you easily when they search for nearby restaurants.
2. Ensures Easy Access to Directions:
Google Maps provide accurate directions. Therefore, customers can find their way to your door easily by using the turn-by-turn navigation feature of Google Maps.
3. Displays Necessary Information:
Google Maps helps customers get all the necessary information about your restaurant like its address, phone numbers, operating hours, customer reviews etc.
4. Integrates with Other Google Services:
Google My Business and Google Search integrates easily with Google Maps and makes your restaurant appear on different platforms consistently, thus enhancing your restaurant’s visibility.
Now, you know what are the benefits of using Google Maps. Let’s find out what actionable steps you need to take to optimize your restaurants on Google Maps.
How to Maximize Google Maps Ranking for Restaurants?
Many times people search on Google for “best Mexican food near me”, or “best Chinese restaurant near me”. Search engines have noted that the best way to answer this type of search is by serving the Map Pack, or the list of results, along with their place on the map. So, if you optimize your restaurant Google Maps listing, you’re likely to occupy a prominent place on search results and get organic traffic more. Here’s how to do it.
1. Optimize Your GMB (Google My Business) Profile
Make sure your restaurant’s address, contact details, website, operating hours, services, etc are all up-to-date to avoid giving any misleading information to your customers. Upload quality images and videos to showcase your establishment and to entice the audiences. Also, write a compelling description about your restaurant. Include relevant keywords and optimize them.
2. Use Local Keywords Strategically
Using local keywords strategically will improve your Google Maps ranking for restaurants. This will enhance visibility, which will increase the chances of getting more nearby diners. Consequently, you will enjoy more traffic to your restaurant, and ultimately boost sales. Here’s where you should include local keywords:
- Meta tags like title, descriptions, etc and website header
- Blog posts and website conten
- Menu descriptions
- Google My Business profile
Avoid keyword stuffing. It can impact your SEO negatively. Instead include the terms in a natural flow of the content.
3. Post Localized Content
Localized content drives sales from local customers. It is an integral part of Google Maps SEO for restaurants. You should post this type of content on social media platforms and on your website consistently (keep it 1/week). Following are the types of localized content you can consider.
- Create blog posts about community involvement or a local food event.
- Share local dishes or ingredients you’re using in a dish.
- Reach out to local online forums and encourage them to link back to your content to maximize reach.
4. Build Location-Specific Landing Pages
Create location-specific landing pages to target specific demographic areas. These pages engage your local customers more as they find such pages to be more relevant to get their required information. Below we have discussed some tips on how to create location-specific landing pages for restaurants.
- Include geo-specific keywords
- Share reviews and testimonials on the landing pages
- Mention area-based promotions and offers
If you create city-based landing pages with all the relevant information about your restaurant, Google will give you a green flag considering your business to be legit.
5. Get Backlinks from Local Websites
Google considers local backlinks as a reliable reference to the website or business. Hence, if you get backlinks from a local business, Google will think that your restaurant is adding value to the community. It will consider your business as legit. Some of the easy ways you can try to get backlinks are:
- Take part in local sponsorships so that local businesses will mention you on their website.
- Reach out to local bloggers and influencers to get backlinks.
- Offer guest posts on your website and ask for a backlink in return.
Make sure all the backlinks you’re getting are coming from reputable sources. Otherwise, they will derank your website on search results.
6. Encourage Customer Reviews
Customer reviews can improve rankings for restaurants on Google Maps by adding to its credibility. The more positive reviews you collect, the more Google will think that your restaurant is trustworthy. It will lead to higher rankings in local search results. Take the steps discussed below to get more positive reviews so as to display them on Google Maps.
- Ask your happy customers to leave a review
- Use multiple channels like Yelp, your website, etc to provide customers with the choices of multiple review-writing platforms.
- Respond promptly to all reviews to make your customers feel valued.
Offer exceptional services to your customers so that they can leave positive reviews for you. Reply to the negative feedback too. Apologize and give a solution. In this way, you can increase engagement and climb to the top spot on Google Maps.
7. Embed Google Maps on Your Website
Google prefers websites that have relevant and valuable content for its users. If you embed a Google Map, you can provide useful information about the basic details of your restaurant. It can lift your website’s ranking in local organic results.
Use a Google Maps plugin to make the process easy. You don’t need to write any code if you’re embedding a Google Maps plugin to your website. It will not only improve your website’s SEO but will also enhance the user experience.
If you think a plugin is the best solution and have already started searching for one, consider the Google Maps plugin of WP Food Manager. WP Food Manager drives restaurants’ growth by providing them with all the necessary plugins under one roof. Their Google Maps plugin is becoming favorite among the restaurant owners and for good reasons too. Let’s discuss how it can be a profit-generator for your business too.
Why Use Google Maps Plugin of WP Food Manager
The Google Maps plugin of WP Food Manager helps restaurant owners put their business on the map- literally! Hence, it will make your restaurant easily discoverable for hungry patrons. In fact, it’s a power-packed plugin to help you in the following ways.
- Shows restaurants quickly
- Highlights all nearest restaurants
- Displays multiple restaurants in the same region
- Shows different restaurants within a certain mile or km
- Has multiple search filters
- Helps customers sort restaurants with open or closed status
- Allows zooming of restaurant’s location
- Enables you to customize map type
To start using the plugin, install and activate it. As soon as you buy it, you will get a license key to your inbox. Put the license number after installing the plugin and activate it. The plugin is SEO-friendly and responsive. You can expect to get positive results within a very short time frame of using it.
Wrapping Up
Leveraging the power of Google Maps can be a game-changer for restaurateurs. Apply the seven ways mentioned above to take your establishment to the top of local search results, ensuring that your delicious dishes are always on the map for foodies to discover and eat.
