In today’s digital age, a strong online presence for your restaurant isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. With customers searching for dining options across multiple platforms, including AI platforms, which are quickly rising to the top of the customer's go-to choice, ensuring your restaurant is easy to find is critical. Enter restaurant website SEO, the key to driving traffic, increasing online orders, and growing your revenue.

Restaurant Website SEO: Boost Your West Hollywood Eatery’s Online Presence

Bar Marketing Basics  is located in West Hollywood CA, so for the purposes of this article, we'll use West Hollywood as our example.  Restaurant competitiveness is as fierce as it gets here, so the importance of ranking high in these results is paramount.  Not to mention, WeHo gets of TON of tourist traffic to the area.

  • Tourists: Studies show that 85-90% of tourists use Google or AI-powered tools to find restaurants, especially when traveling to unfamiliar destinations.
  • Locals: Only about 40-50% of locals rely on Google or AI for restaurant searches, as they often have established preferences and routines.

Whether you’re a cozy pizza parlor or a high-end dining spot in West Hollywood, optimizing your website for search engines can transform your business.


Why Restaurant SEO Matters

The restaurant industry is evolving, with online ordering and food delivery reshaping how customers interact with eateries. Did you know:

  • Restaurants with online ordering systems generate 130% more revenue than those without.
  • Online ordering is growing 300% faster than dine-in traffic.
  • 60% of diners check a restaurant’s menu online before visiting, and 50% explore the website.

To stay competitive, restaurant owners are investing in search engine optimization (SEO) to ensure their business appears prominently on Google and other search engines.

Restaurant Website SEO - West Hollywood CA

| bar marketing basics restaurant website seo

What Is Restaurant Website SEO?

SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search results for terms related to your business. The goal? Drive more traffic to your site, which translates to more customers walking through your doors.  Ranking high on the "local results" is the best real estate to appear in, as many customers never make it to the organic results at all.

For example, if you run a pizza parlor in West Hollywood, you’d want your website to rank for terms like “best pizza in West Hollywood” or “West Hollywood pizza delivery.” By optimizing for these keywords, your site can appear on the first page of Google, making it easier for hungry customers to find you—especially if you offer online ordering or reservations.

Pro Tip: Use The Bar Marketing Basics free SEO scan tool to check if your restaurant’s website is optimized.


Benefits of Restaurant SEO

Investing in SEO is a long-term strategy with significant rewards:

  • Increased website traffic
  • Better ranking in a local search
  • Higher online orders and reservations
  • Enhanced brand awareness
  • Improved customer engagement
  • Boosted revenue

By ranking for high-traffic, relevant search terms, your restaurant becomes more visible to potential customers, helping you stand out in a competitive market like West Hollywood.

Local Restaurant Website SEO Results

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7 Restaurant SEO Tips to Rank #1

Ready to optimize your website? Here are seven proven strategies to help your restaurant dominate search results:

1. Create a Keyword Roadmap for Restaurant Website SEO

Start by identifying the search terms your target audience is using. Use tools like:

Focus on three types of keywords:

  • High-intent broad terms: “Best restaurants in West Hollywood”
  • Niche keywords: “Vegan pizza West Hollywood”
  • Branded keywords: Your restaurant’s name
  • AI based long-tail search.  In the future, customers will use search queries similar to this: "Show me Sushi restaurants in West Hollywood with a full-bar and an outdoor, dog-friendly patio and happy hour specials at 5pm"

We have to optimize for these types of requests from AI engines now, before our competitors do.  AI computers have to know exactly what we offer, and when.  To find a great keyword list to use, type a prompt like this into Deep Seek or ChatGPT.

"Show me 30 high-traffic, discovery-only keywords for a [type] restaurant, bar, and cocktail lounge located in West Hollywood CA."

Deep Seek Restaurant Website SEO Keyword Research

| bar marketing basics deep seek restaurant website seo keyword research

2. Optimize for Local SEO

Local SEO is crucial for restaurants. Ensure your business is listed on:

  • Google Business Profile
  • Yelp
  • TripAdvisor
  • Foursquare

Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across these platforms boosts your credibility and helps you rank higher in local searches.  Off-Page SEO services will do this for you, as well as adding about 200+ additional directories across the internet.


3. Leverage Online Reviews

Positive reviews not only build trust but also improve your click-through rate (CTR) in search results. Encourage happy customers to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, and other platforms.  Respond to ALL of your online reviews within 24 hours.

Did You Know? 68% of diners try a new restaurant based on positive online reviews.  If you don't have time or the know-how to do this correctly, Restaurant Reputation Management services can help out here.


4. Build High-Quality Backlinks

Backlinks from reputable websites signal to Google that your site is authoritative. Partner with local blogs, food influencers, and West Hollywood directories to earn links to your site.


5. Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly

With over 80% of internet users browsing on mobile devices, a responsive website is non-negotiable. Ensure your site adjusts seamlessly to all screen sizes. These days, almost all website are mobile-friendly, so it's likely you won't have to change anything up here.


6. Test Your Online Ordering System

A smooth online ordering experience is essential. Test your system regularly to ensure it’s user-friendly and glitch-free. High bounce rates can hurt your SEO rankings.  This goes for online contact forms as well.


7. Launch a Restaurant Blog

A blog can drive traffic and improve SEO. Write about topics like:

  • “Top 5 Vegan Restaurants in West Hollywood”
  • “How to Host a Pizza Party in West Hollywood”
  • “Behind the Scenes: Our Locally Sourced Ingredients”

This is easier said than done as most restaurants don't have anything blog-worthy to mention.  Blog content should contain things like charity events, live entertainment, pop-ups, or anything else that would be considered "news worthy".

West Hollywood Pop Up Events

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Ready to Dominate West Hollywood’s Restaurant Scene?

By implementing these restaurant website SEO strategies, you’ll attract more customers, boost online orders, and grow your revenue. At Bar Marketing Basics in West Hollywood, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Contact us today to start optimizing your restaurant’s online presence!


Internal Restaurant Website SEO Links:

By focusing on restaurant website SEO, your West Hollywood eatery can rise to the top of search results and attract a steady stream of hungry customers. Let’s get started!

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