7 Crucial SEO Tips for Breweries
You have put your heart and soul into crafting the perfect beer, and now it’s time to spread the word. In today’s world of constant social media and Google usage—both at home and on the go—SEO for breweries is a must. Since search engine optimization (SEO) is a complex, multi-step process, we have put together the seven SEO tips for breweries that you won’t want to skip:
1. Have a Responsive Website
First, you need to create a responsive website, which is a website that adapts according to the device it is being viewed on. If someone looks at your site on a smartphone it will look just as amazing as it does on a desktop. This is important for two reasons: first, it keeps your customers happy, and two, it helps your website display higher in search results.
2. Remember Social Media Marketing
As you know, the beer community is very social, both in person and online. In fact, the social aspect is half the fun! So create profiles on the main social media sites for beer lovers, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and use these accounts to announce new beers and special offers. Facebook Events is an excellent tool to invite guests to beer releases or special events because it will help you get an idea of headcount and keep guests informed (Facebook will even send confirmed guests a notification so they don’t forget!). Remember, the goal with social media is to interact with your fans, build trust, and entertain and engage. It’s not about just selling your beer.
Not only is social media activity vital to the development of your brand, it is also one of the top SEO tips for breweries because the increased web traffic and inbound links you earn can increase your authority in the eyes of Google. And don’t forget to post the links to your social media pages and events on your website so visitors know where to interact with you.
3. Make Google Your Friend
While there are certainly other search engines, Google is the dominant one, and it should be the primary focus of your SEO for breweries efforts. Which means you must have a Google My Business account and a Google Plus page. With these two accounts, you can ensure that you show up on Google Maps and your brewery information will be featured in the top of local search results, complete with links for your address and phone number.
4. Earn Positive Reviews
We’ve already established that the beer community is very social, and they are also very into reading reviews. From BeerAdvocate and RateBeer to Untappd and Yelp, beer reviews are everywhere. So for the sake of your brewery’s existence, encourage your customers to leave you reviews online. These online reviews are also critical for SEO. If there are several breweries in your area, Google is going to show the top-rated ones to the searcher if only generic terms are used (i.e. brewery in Connecticut).
5. Ensure Your Brewery is Listed in Multiple Directories
There is no shortage of beer directories online, including the BeerAdvocate directory, the Brewers Association, and the Craft Beer Directory. You want to go through and claim your brewery on as many as possible. Not only will this guarantee the correct contact and beer information is listed, it will also improve the number of inbound links you have pointing to your site, which can work wonders for SEO for breweries.
6. Be Smart About Keywords and Content
A key component of SEO for breweries is to post regular, engaging, well-written content that your audience will actually want to read. Let them know about a brew you just put into a bourbon barrel for aging, an upcoming release, or even just some intriguing information about how you make your beer. However, every piece of content should be done strategically.
- First, perform keyword research to find out what people are really searching for so you can include the proper terms in your content, and make sure to use local terms as well. For example, you can include: brewery in Connecticut, good beer in CT, and CT brewery near me.
- Second, make sure you plan ahead. If you are writing about Oktoberfest and your special Pumpkin Pie Ale, you will want to post it at the end of August or early September to make sure it gets seen.
7. Incorporate AdWords
By using the above SEO tips for breweries, you will surely earn a high ranking on Google; however, these organic SEO methods take time and consistent effort to reach their full potential. A great way to get immediate search engine attention is through an AdWords (pay-per-click) campaign. These paid ads get you a top spot and immediate website traffic to get the ball rolling. They can also be a great way to test out some keywords to see which ones you should target with your other SEO efforts.
While your world may revolve around hops and barley, if you don’t involve SEO for breweries in your efforts, your incredible concoctions won’t get near as much attention as they deserve. These SEO tips for breweries contain a proven formula for expanding your brewery and attracting new customers, but they do require substantial effort.
If you would rather spend your time flawlessly crafting stouts and porters, you can leave your SEO campaign to us. We are experts in SEO for a brewery, and we will put our years of experience to work for you. Contact Zero Gravity Marketing today to get a customized SEO action plan specific to the needs of your brewery.
