Local SEO Tips for Tempe Restaurants

In the competitive Tempe dining scene, having a great menu and atmosphere isn't enough—you need to make sure local diners can find you online. With 85% of restaurant searches being local and 76% of those searches resulting in a visit within 24 hours, your local SEO strategy can directly impact your restaurant's bottom line.

At Ligma Digital, we've helped numerous Tempe restaurants climb the local search rankings and attract more diners. Here are our proven local SEO strategies specifically tailored for restaurants in Tempe, Arizona.

Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the cornerstone of local SEO for restaurants. Here's how to optimize it:

Complete Every Section

Ensure every section of your profile is complete with accurate information:

• Business name (exactly as it appears on your storefront)
• Address with proper formatting
• Phone number
• Website URL
• Hours of operation (including special holiday hours)
• Menu URL or direct menu upload
• Reservation link if applicable

Choose the Right Categories

Primary category selection is crucial. For most restaurants, "Restaurant" should be your primary category, with more specific categories as secondary options (e.g., "Italian Restaurant," "Pizza Restaurant," etc.).

Add High-Quality Photos

Restaurants with 100+ photos on their Google Business Profile get 520% more calls than the average restaurant. Upload:

• Professional photos of your interior and exterior
• Food and drink images (update seasonally)
• Photos of your staff (with permission)
• Images that showcase your restaurant's unique atmosphere

One Tempe sushi restaurant we worked with saw a 40% increase in website clicks after implementing a strategic photo upload schedule.

Localize Your Website Content

Your website should clearly signal to search engines that you're a Tempe restaurant:

Create Tempe-Specific Content

• Write about local events or festivals your restaurant participates in
• Create blog posts about the Tempe food scene
• Mention nearby landmarks or attractions (e.g., "Just 5 minutes from Arizona State University")
• Include a "Our Tempe Location" page if you have multiple locations

Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions

Include location terms in your title tags and meta descriptions:

• "Best Italian Restaurant in Tempe, AZ | [Restaurant Name]"
• "Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Downtown Tempe | [Restaurant Name]"

Create a Local Landing Page

If you have multiple locations, create a dedicated page for your Tempe restaurant with:

• Location-specific menu items or specials
• Tempe address and phone number
• Directions from popular Tempe landmarks
• Testimonials from local Tempe customers
• Information about local delivery areas

Build Local Citations

Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) across the web. Consistent citations help search engines verify your business information.

Focus on Industry-Specific Directories

Beyond general directories like Yelp and TripAdvisor, list your restaurant on:

• OpenTable
• Zomato
• Allmenus
• Eater Phoenix
• Arizona Foodies
• Tempe Chamber of Commerce directory

Maintain Consistency

Ensure your NAP information is identical across all platforms. Even small differences (like "Street" vs. "St.") can confuse search engines and hurt your rankings.

Implement a Review Strategy

Reviews are critical for restaurant SEO, with 94% of diners choosing restaurants based on online reviews.

Encourage Reviews

• Train staff to politely ask satisfied customers to leave a review
• Include QR codes on receipts that link directly to your Google review page
• Send follow-up emails after online orders with review links
• Respond to ALL reviews, positive and negative

Showcase Reviews on Your Website

Create a testimonials page featuring reviews from Google, Yelp, and other platforms. This provides fresh, user-generated content that search engines love.

Create Location-Specific Schema Markup

Schema markup helps search engines understand your content and can result in rich snippets in search results.

For restaurants, implement:

• Restaurant schema (including cuisine type, price range, and hours)
• Local business schema (with your Tempe address)
• Menu schema (with item names, descriptions, and prices)
• Review schema (showcasing your best reviews)

A Tempe pizza restaurant we worked with saw their rich snippets appear in search results within two weeks of implementing proper schema markup, resulting in a 35% increase in click-through rate.

Mobile Optimization is Non-Negotiable

With 68% of restaurant searches coming from mobile devices, your website must be mobile-friendly:

• Ensure fast loading times (under 3 seconds)
• Make your menu easy to read on mobile
• Implement click-to-call buttons
• Use large, touch-friendly buttons for reservations
• Test your site on multiple devices and screen sizes

Local Link Building Strategies

Build local authority through strategic link building:

• Partner with local Tempe food bloggers for reviews
• Join the Tempe Chamber of Commerce
• Sponsor local events and ensure they link to your website
• Create shareable content about the Tempe food scene
• Collaborate with nearby businesses for cross-promotion

Conclusion

Implementing these local SEO strategies will help your Tempe restaurant stand out in a competitive market. While results won't happen overnight, consistent application of these techniques will improve your visibility to hungry local diners searching for their next meal.

At Ligma Digital, we specialize in helping Tempe restaurants implement these strategies and more. If you'd like a personalized local SEO audit for your restaurant, contact us for a free consultation.