Great search engine optimization can get your bar or restaurant a few thousand extra customers each month. But most small businesses ignore it entirely because it's too complicated and technical. That's why we came up with these 10 super easy tips to show up higher in search results.
1. Make sure your website is correctly listed on your Google business page
As you probably know, you can cliam your business and Google and manage the content listed. One of the most important things is to make sure that your correct website URL is entered. This tells Google, for anyone looking for my restaurant, send them to this website.
2. Optimize keywords through local Google listings rather than SEO
Showing up in keyword searches is really really tough for bars and restaurants. Unlike other businesses that may have a handful of other competitors, bars and restaurants have thousands in the same city. For example, a search for "Craft Beer East Village" returns only one bar listing on the first page (actually it's a beer store not even a bar). However, hope is not lost.
If you perform this search you will notice that the first 3 results are actually local Google + listings, not other websites:
These local listings can be just as effective as real search results. Notice how both Good Beer and Cooper's have the word "craft beer" in their descriptions. Logging into your Google local account and adding keywords to your description requires no coding and can be super effective.
If you're not sure how to do this, we are happy to walk you through it >
3. Get your friends to review your business in Google +
You may be thinking, Google + reviews? Who uses that? Doesn't everyone use Yelp? Well, if by everyone you mean users, then yes you are right. But guess who uses Google + reviews? That's right: Google Search Algorithms. In the craft beer search above, if you click on Good Beer or Cooper's you will notice that they each have reviews that mention craft beer.
The crazy part?
Cooper's only has 20 reviews. That's it! I bet you have more than 20 friends, so get them to write positive reviews, dropping in the keywords you want them to. I bet they'll do it for a free beer.. if you could only find someone who owns a bar or restaurant...
SpotHopper can also write a great review of your spot for you >
4. Make sure your website is listed everywhere
One of the strongest factors Google accounts for is how many other popular websites link to yours. Luckily all online directories let you claim your business and enter your website. The most important ones are Yelp, Trip Advisor, Open Table, Foursquare and Zomato.
If you're not sure how to do this, we are happy to walk you through it >
5. Include your business name in your domain name, headers and body text
When someone searches on Google for your business name, it's very important you show up first. Why? Because on your website, you control the message, and you have the power to convince customers to come in. If you are not the first result, Yelp probably will be. If potential customers see your Yelp page first, they are likely to see ridiculous rants and silly complaints that may deter them from coming in.
Luckily showing up first for your business name is very doable. If you haven't already, pick a domain with your business name in it. If your business is called The Village Tavern, you should find a domain name like thevillagetavernnyc.com rather than something like thevtnyc.com. Second, make sure your name is in the headers on your page. Instead of "About us" write "About The Village Tavern". It even helps to include your name in the body text if you have paragraphs of about, reviews, etc.
If you're not sure how to do any of this, we are happy to walk you through it >
6. Include your city and address in headers, body text and possibly domain
When people search you on Google, they don't usually just search for the business name. After all, there are probably hundreds of "The Village Taverns" out there. Users usually seach "Business Name City Name" or "Business Name City Abbreviation". It's important that Google matches your spot when people add your city to the search. This is why domains like thevillagetavernnyc.com or not only more readily available, but great for SEO. Similar to your business name, make sure you include your city/address on your page.
If you're not sure how to do any of this, we are happy to walk you through it >
7. Update your website regularly
Sites with constantly changing content rank higher than websites that never change. Think about it: Wikipedia always shows up first. One reason is because it is constantly being updated.
If you updating your website is a headache, and you have to hunt down and wait weeks for your web developer, check out SpotHopper widgets . They sync your website automatically so it is always updated.
8. If your website is newer, submit it to be indexed
If your website is new, Google may not have gotten around to indexing it automatically yet. Make sure you submit it so it starts showing up ASAP!
If you're not sure how to do this, we are happy to walk you through it >
9. Embed a Google Map on your page
Not only is this a good idea to help your customers find you, adding a Google Map to your website is will help with local searches. SpotHopper websites all come with Google Maps, and we can even stylize them with really cool effects like black and white instead of using the generic map. Get a free website design with embedded Google Maps >
10. Use keywords in your images
This pro-tip is a little more advanced for those of you who breezed through the first nine. If you include a keyword in your image file name (ie winebar.jpg instead of 1234.jpg), image title, image discription, and alt text, that can help your search ranking for this keryword.
If you're not sure how to do this, we are happy to walk you through it >
