Dominate Google Maps and local search results with these essential SEO tactics designed specifically for UK restaurants.
76% of people who search for "restaurants near me" visit a business within 24 hours. If you're not showing up in local search results, you're invisible to hungry customers actively looking for places to eat. This guide fixes that.
Google My Business (GMB) is the single most important local SEO tool for restaurants. When someone searches "Italian restaurant London," GMB listings appear before website results.
Complete Every Section
Business name, address, phone, hours, website, menu, attributes (outdoor seating, Wi-Fi, etc.)
Add 20+ High-Quality Photos
Food, interior, exterior, menu boards. Businesses with photos get 42% more direction requests
Select Primary & Secondary Categories
Be specific: "Italian Restaurant" not just "Restaurant"
Write a Keyword-Rich Description
Include: cuisine type, location, unique selling points (750 characters max)
Post Weekly Updates
Specials, events, new menu items—keeps profile active and visible
Respond to EVERY Review (Good or Bad)
Within 24-48 hours. Shows you care and boosts rankings
NAP = Name, Address, Phone. Google verifies your business by checking if your NAP is consistent across directories, your website, and social media.
Reviews are a ranking factor. More reviews + higher ratings = better visibility. Here's how to ethically increase your review count:
After a great meal, when customers express satisfaction. "We'd love a Google review if you enjoyed your experience!"
Create a short link (bit.ly/yourrestaurant-review) that goes directly to your Google review page. Add QR codes to receipts or table tents.
Send a thank-you email 24 hours after dining with a polite review request. Don't be pushy.
Add your restaurant to Yell.com, Scoot, TheFork, OpenTable—free backlinks and citations boost local SEO.
Include neighbourhood/city names in website content: "Best pizza in Shoreditch" not just "Best pizza".
90% of local searches happen on mobile. Your site must load fast and display perfectly on phones.
Get mentioned on local blogs, neighbourhood websites, or partner with nearby businesses for cross-promotion.
Remember: Local SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Implement these tactics consistently for 90 days and you'll see significant improvements in local search visibility.
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