Resolving GMB Issues for a Local Restaurant

Client: Aroma Bites (Local Restaurant)

Industry: Food & Beverage

Challenge

Aroma Bites, a popular local restaurant, faced significant visibility issues on Google My Business (GMB). Despite offering excellent food and service, the restaurant’s GMB listing was incomplete and often displayed inaccurate information, such as incorrect hours of operation and outdated photos. This led to poor visibility in local search results, negative customer experiences, and a decline in foot traffic. Aroma Bites approached Akram Hossain to optimize their GMB profile and improve their local search rankings.

Objectives

1. Correct and optimize the GMB listing to reflect accurate information and boost local search visibility.
2. Improve the restaurant’s ranking in the “local pack” for relevant searches like “best restaurant near me” and “Italian food downtown.”
3. Increase online customer engagement and attract more foot traffic to the restaurant.

Strategy

I (Akram Hossain) implemented a comprehensive local SEO and GMB optimization strategy tailored to the restaurant’s needs:

GMB Audit & Correction

• Conducted a detailed audit of Aroma Bites’ GMB listing, identifying inconsistencies such as incorrect hours, missing business categories, and outdated photos.
• Updated the GMB profile with accurate details, including business hours, contact information, and a detailed description of the restaurant and its offerings.

Local Keyword Optimization

• Integrated location-based keywords like “Italian restaurant downtown” and “authentic Italian cuisine” into the GMB description and business categories to improve relevance in local searches.
• Optimized other on-page elements like the restaurant’s menu pages to align with these local keywords.

Photo and Content Updates

• Uploaded high-quality, professionally taken photos of the restaurant, its dishes, and the ambience to make the profile more attractive and engaging for users.
• Added a “Menu” section directly on GMB and linked it to the restaurant’s website, enhancing customer convenience.

Customer Engagement & Review Management

• Encouraged Aroma Bites to interact with customers through the GMB platform by responding to reviews, thanking customers, and addressing any negative feedback.
• Ran a small campaign offering discounts to customers who left reviews, leading to a higher volume of positive reviews and improving the overall rating.

Local Citations & Backlink Building

• Built local citations on relevant directories (e.g., Yelp, TripAdvisor) to boost Aroma Bites’ authority.
• Established backlinks from local food blogs and news outlets, enhancing the restaurant’s credibility and online presence.

Results

Within four months of implementing Akram Hossain’s strategy, Aroma Bites experienced the following improvements:

Improved Local Search Visibility:

• The restaurant ranked in the top 3 positions of the “local pack” for high-intent searches like “best Italian restaurant downtown” and “family restaurant near me.”
• Increased visibility led to a 60% rise in GMB profile views.

Increased Foot Traffic & Engagement:

• Foot traffic surged by 40% as more customers discovered Aroma Bites through local searches.
• The number of phone calls and website visits from GMB increased by 55%, with customers engaging directly through the platform.

Boost in Online Reviews & Ratings:

• The restaurant’s average rating improved from 3.8 to 4.5 stars, thanks to an influx of positive reviews.
• Aroma Bites gained over 100 new reviews in the span of four months, further boosting its local credibility.

Higher Customer Satisfaction:

• With accurate information and better customer interaction through GMB, customers reported fewer complaints related to hours or reservations.
• The restaurant’s overall customer satisfaction score improved, as reflected in both online reviews and customer feedback.

Conclusion

My focused approach to resolving GMB issues and optimizing local SEO helped Aroma Bites significantly enhance its online visibility and customer engagement.

By ensuring accurate information and actively managing customer reviews, the restaurant saw a substantial increase in foot traffic and online engagement, ultimately driving growth and higher customer satisfaction.

“Akram’s expertise in local SEO and GMB management transformed our business. We went from struggling with visibility to being one of the top-rated restaurants in the area. His proactive approach helped us attract more customers and build a solid reputation online.”

— Kabir F., Owner