Submitted by Guest Blogger Ryan Beach
Local SEO Strategies for Hotels And Restaurants

Ready to reach new customers while building loyalty among your current ones? Combine laser targeted social media marketing with strategic local search marketing!
While search engine optimization is important to the health of any business, hotels and restaurants need to employ a different type of SEO strategy. The people that are seeking out hotels or restaurants are looking for something that is in their direct area. Because of this, business owners will have to make local SEO their top priority. Focus on these things if you want your website to have strong local SEO.
Claim Your Google My Business Page
Be sure that you claim your Google My Business page. Simply search for your business on Google Maps and see if you can find a listing. If you do, click the link that reads “Manage this page.”
Once you do this, Google will ask you to verify that you are the owner of the business. They will typically do this by making a call to your business phone number or sending a postcard to your business address. After that is complete, you will be able to fill out the page. Provide as much information as possible.
You should also claim and manage any other local business directory listings. The more directory listings you have, the easier it will be for search engines to accurately categorize your business.
Do Local Keyword Research
Spend some time researching local keywords. You can use the Google Keywords Tool to see what kinds of queries people are using to find businesses in your area.
In order to get results from the keyword tool, you will have to come up with a few sample queries. Provide the tool with between five to ten sample queries; this will give you more accurate results.
While you should look for keywords that get a lot of searches, you should avoid anything that is overly competitive. It can be difficult to rank for something competitive. Focusing on a keyword with less competition will get you better results.
Use Social Media
Social media is one of the best ways to target your audience and show them information that they really want. You can use ads to laser target your local area and the people who want to see your ads. You can offer discounts and coupons to get them into your location. It’s also a great way to communicate with your customers and will help to build loyalty.
Get Reviews
If you put in a search for a local restaurant, you will see that the top listings are the restaurants with the good reviews. Be sure that you have a Google My Business page as mentioned earlier. Google will begin showing your reviews after you have received at least five. Reviews work because they offer social proof. People want to know what others think and may need that kind of help when making a decision, especially if they aren’t from the area.
There are other review sites, such as Yelp and TripAdvisor to name just two that people may post on. These usually show on the first page of Google below Google’s reviews, which is why you want to be sure to claim your Google My Business page.
To get good reviews, the best thing to do is to offer great service that wows the guest. Be sure to ask your customers to leave a review. You can ask them in person while they are paying the bill or you can even print the request on the receipt.
When someone is trying to find a hotel to stay in or a restaurant to dine at, they often turn to search engines. If you work to improve your local SEO, your business will be the first thing that these people see. If you employ the right techniques, you’ll soon find success.
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Ryan Beach is a guest blogger for Internet Marketing Tips and the the owner of Final Stop SEO, a successful company helping businesses across the country to grow, prosper and dominate the search engines.