Indore often called the food capital of Madhya Pradesh is home to everything from legendary street food at Sarafa Bazaar to classy rooftop cafes and fine dining spaces. But in today’s digital age, great taste alone doesn’t guarantee customers. People now search online before they eat out phrases like “best restaurants near me”, “family restaurant in Indore”, or “cafes near Vijay Nagar” decide where most people go.
This is where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) becomes the secret ingredient. For restaurants in Indore, SEO is no longer optional it’s the recipe for being discovered online. In this case study, we’ll explore how one Indore-based restaurant used SEO to increase visibility, double its customer base, and dominate Google search results within just a few months.
The Situation: The Restaurant Struggling to Get Noticed
Let’s take a real-life inspired example:
A restaurant named “Spice Affair”, located near Vijay Nagar, Indore, served mouth-watering North Indian and fusion dishes. Despite its great reviews on Zomato and strong word-of-mouth, sales started slowing down.
When the owners analyzed the problem, they discovered something surprising:
- Their website didn’t rank for any local search terms like “North Indian restaurant in Indore.”
- The Google My Business (GMB) page was incomplete and outdated.
- Competitors with average ratings were ranking higher online.
- Most of their target customers people searching on Google Maps or mobile weren’t finding them at all.
That’s when they decided to invest in local SEO.
Step 1: Researching What People Search for in Indore
The first step of the campaign was keyword research understanding what potential customers were searching on Google.
Using Tools Like
- Google Keyword Planner
- Uber suggest
- Google Trends
- SEMrush
Top Keywords Found
- “Best restaurants in Indore”
- “Family restaurant near Vijay Nagar”
- “Affordable dinner places in Indore”
- “Chinese food near C21 Mall”
- “Best buffet in Indore”
These keywords revealed two key insights:
- People often include “Indore” or local area names (like Palasia, Rajwada, or Vijay Nagar) in their search.
- Long-tail keywords such as “romantic cafe near Vijay Nagar” or “budget-friendly thali in Indore” had lower competition but higher conversion rates.
So instead of targeting broad terms like “best restaurant”, the SEO strategy focused on location-based searches the ones that lead to real footfall.
Step 2: Optimizing the Restaurant Website
The next step was to make the website SEO-friendly and user-focused.
Key Improvements Done
- Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Each page was optimized with keywords like:
“Best North Indian Restaurant in Vijay Nagar, Indore | Spice Affair”
and meta descriptions like:
“Visit Spice Affair, Indore’s top-rated restaurant for authentic North Indian cuisine near C21 Mall. Family-friendly ambiance and great taste guaranteed!” - On-Page Optimization
- Added proper heading tags (H1, H2, H3) with keywords.
- Used alt text for images such as “Paneer butter masala served at Spice Affair, Indore.”
- Linked menu pages, contact forms, and location maps internally.
- Mobile Optimization
Over 80% of restaurant-related searches come from mobile users. The website was made fast, responsive, and easy to navigate on phones. - Local Schema Markup
A local business schema was added to help Google display important details like address, phone number, timings, and reviews directly on search results. - Blog Section Creation
To attract organic traffic, blogs like:
- “Top 5 North Indian Dishes to Try in Indore”
- “Best Family Dining Spots in Vijay Nagar”
- “Indore Street Food vs Restaurant Experience”
were published regularly.
This helped attract food lovers searching for Indore-specific food content.
Step 3: Claiming and Optimizing Google My Business
The Google My Business (GMB) profile is the backbone of local SEO.
Steps Taken
- Verified and claimed the restaurant listing.
- Added correct Name, Address, Phone (NAP) details.
- Uploaded high-quality images of interiors, dishes, and staff.
- Added a complete menu link and “Order Now” buttons.
- Chose relevant categories like “Family Restaurant” and “North Indian Cuisine.”
- Encouraged customers to leave reviews and responded to each one politely.
Result
Within weeks, the listing began showing up in Google’s Local 3-Pack the top three restaurant suggestions visible on Google Maps and search results when users search nearby.
Traffic from Google Maps increased by over 250%.
Step 4: Building Local Backlinks and Citations
SEO isn’t just about keywords it’s about trust and authority.
Backlink Strategy
- Listed the restaurant on Justdial, Zomato, Swiggy, Yelp, and TripAdvisor.
- Collaborated with Indore food bloggers for guest blogs and video reviews.
- Earned backlinks from local news sites covering “Top 10 Restaurants in Indore.”
These backlinks boosted domain authority and credibility in Google’s eyes.
Step 5: Social Media Integration
SEO works best when combined with social presence.
Actions Taken
- Optimized Instagram and Facebook bios with keywords like “Best North Indian Restaurant in Indore.”
- Added location tags to all posts and Reels.
- Shared customer testimonials and Google reviews weekly.
- Published Google Posts every week promoting new dishes and discounts.
- Ran targeted local ads on Instagram using radius-based targeting (within 10 km of Vijay Nagar).
The restaurant started gaining organic followers, and social activity began driving website traffic.
Step 6: Tracking Performance
To measure success, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and GMB Insights were used.
Metrics Tracked
- Organic traffic increase
- Number of phone calls and direction requests
- Keyword rankings
- Review growth
- Conversion from Google listings
The Results After 3 Months
| Metric | Before SEO | After 3 Months |
| Google Map Impressions | 2,000/month | 8,500/month |
| Organic Website Traffic | 900/month | 2,400/month |
| Average Keyword Rank | Page 3–4 | Top 5 |
| Customer Reviews | 38 | 120+ |
| Table Bookings | 40/month | 90+/month |
| Overall Footfall | Moderate | High |
The restaurant’s visibility skyrocketed, and bookings almost doubled. It began appearing in searches like “best restaurant near me” and “North Indian food in Indore” consistently.
Lessons Learned for Indore Restaurants
- Local SEO Drives Real Customers
Most restaurant searches are “near me” optimizing for local SEO ensures your business is visible at the right time. - Google My Business is the Game-Changer
A well-optimized GMB profile often brings more customers than a website itself. - Consistency Matters
Regular posts, reviews, and keyword updates keep rankings stable. - Content is the King of SEO
Sharing blogs, events, and menu updates builds trust and boosts traffic. - Reviews = Ranking Power
Positive reviews directly influence both visibility and customer trust. - Mobile Experience Can Make or Break
If your website doesn’t load fast on phones, users leave and Google notices. - Social Media + SEO = Perfect Combo
Local hashtags, influencer posts, and engagement strengthen your restaurant’s digital authority.
This case study proves that SEO is the most powerful and cost-effective marketing tool for restaurants in Indore. Whether you’re a cozy cafe in Palasia or a fine-dining lounge in Vijay Nagar, local SEO can help you reach thousands of hungry searchers daily.
Within a few months, Spice Affair transformed from an offline favorite to an online leader ranking in top search results, driving more customers, and building a loyal fan base.
So, if you own a restaurant in Indore, stop depending only on Zomato ads or paid promotions. Start optimizing your online presence today because in 2025, visibility equals success. To know more Subscribe Jatininfo.in now.











