In this episode, Erik dives into a powerful tool that shows you where you rank on Google from any location. Whether you're targeting a bustling tourist spot, a local neighborhood, or a specific area your business wants to dominate, this tool offers invaluable insights. The key feature discussed is the GMB Everywhere Google Chrome extension, which lets you view search results as if you're standing in any location across the country. Erik demonstrates how this works with examples like "Mexican restaurants" and "sushi near me." He explains that using “near me” is unnecessary as it’s implied in the tool’s functionality. By using the "Teleport" feature, you can pinpoint a location—like LA's Hollywood Walk of Fame—and instantly see which businesses dominate Google rankings in that area. For instance, Erik highlights how El Compadre ranks well due to its long history and strong SEO performance. This tool allows business owners not only to see their rankings but also to analyze their competitors in different parts of town. Erik emphasizes the importance of experimenting with multiple keywords—at least five or six—to understand where your restaurant ranks best and which keywords need improvement. This knowledge is crucial for optimizing your online presence and attracting targeted customers from specific locations. Whether you're looking to outrank competitors, understand local search dynamics, or fine-tune your keywords, this episode provides actionable insights to help you get ahead in the game. Tune in, install GMB Everywhere, and start discovering how to rank higher on Google from any location! Optimize your search strategy today—target the customers you want where they are.

In this episode of the Restaurant and Bar Marketing Podcast, host Erik Shellenberger reveals how to avoid the #1 restaurant website mistake that many owners unknowingly make. He explains that a restaurant website’s main goal is to attract new customers and increase foot traffic. However, many popular platforms like Pop Menu, BentoBox, and SpotHopper may look appealing, but they lack essential SEO tools to rank well on search engines. These platforms prioritize aesthetics and ease of use, but at a high monthly cost, they often fail to bring in more customers due to poor search visibility.

Shellenberger advocates for WordPress as the best platform for restaurants. To avoid the #1 restaurant website mistake, he recommends leveraging WordPress's flexibility and robust SEO plugins, like the All-in-One SEO Optimization Tool. This allows restaurant owners to optimize their sites fully, improve search rankings, and keep ongoing costs low. Instead of opting for platforms that strip essential SEO features, Shellenberger suggests focusing on a website that’s easy for search engines to understand and rank. By building a WordPress site with SEO in mind, you’ll ensure your restaurant website is more visible, functional, and effective in driving new business.

Erik Shellenberger dives deep into how to blog effectively and get more shares by leveraging AI. Many restaurant and bar owners hear the advice to start a blog, but few understand the real strategies behind making a blog successful. The main goal of blogging is to get found by your target audience on search engines like Google, YouTube, and other platforms. However, many people overlook the essential steps needed to achieve that visibility.

To create an effective blog, you must start with an interesting and relevant topic. Avoid generic posts like "Happy hour from 3 to 7" or simple cocktail photos, as they won't engage readers or perform well on search engines. Instead, choose topics that people will search for, such as current events, local festivals, or charity partnerships related to your restaurant. The more engaging and unique the content, the better chance it has of gaining traction.

Once you have a compelling topic, SEO optimization is the next crucial step. This involves using tools like the All-in-One SEO plugin and analyzing your headlines for effectiveness. Your headline should include common, uncommon, emotional, and power words to maximize its impact. Tools like ChatGPT can help generate headline ideas, but it’s essential to refine them to achieve higher search rankings.

Schemes and structured data are also vital components. When you create a blog, make sure to include structured data (schema markup) to help search engines understand your content better. Adding this extra layer of detail increases the chances of your blog appearing in top search results, which is key for getting more shares and traffic.

Don’t forget to share your blog across multiple platforms. Optimize your content for YouTube by using relevant tags and integrating the blog post with video content. This multi-channel approach helps your content rank higher across different platforms.

Blogging effectively takes time and effort. It’s not just about creating content but doing it in a way that ensures people find, read, and share it. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to blogging success that drives traffic and engagement.

How to Blog Effectively and Get More Shares – Discover the secrets to a successful blog today.

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