Case Study

Case Study: Boosting Foot Traffic by 36% for a Local Pizza Restaurant with Apollo Digital Marketing

Gino’s Pizza and Pasta, a family-owned pizza restaurant, faced challenges attracting new customers amid a competitive local market. With more customers relying on online search and social media to discover dining options, Gino’s knew it needed to improve its online presence and reach more people. The restaurant approached Apollo Digital Marketing for help in drawing in more local foot traffic through targeted advertising and SEO strategies.

The Challenge

Limited Online Presence: Gino’s had a basic website and minimal social media presence, but lacked consistent engagement and search engine optimization (SEO) that would make it easier for local diners to find them.
High Competition: With numerous pizza places nearby, Gino’s needed a unique approach to stand out, attract diners, and convince them to visit.
Low Foot Traffic: Foot traffic had remained stagnant despite a steady stream of returning customers, which meant their ability to draw new customers needed a boost.

The Solution

Apollo Digital Marketing implemented a strategic advertising and SEO plan focused on increasing Gino’s visibility, building an engaged local audience, and positioning the restaurant as a top choice for pizza in the area.

Targeted Local SEO Strategy:
- We optimized Gino’s Google Business Profile with updated hours, location details, high-quality photos, and a description focused on keywords like “best pizza near me” and “family-friendly pizza restaurant.”
- Our team performed on-page SEO improvements, such as adding location-specific keywords, optimizing meta tags, and creating blog posts on the website that highlighted the restaurant’s unique qualities, special offers, and family-friendly atmosphere.
Paid Advertising Campaigns:
- Google Ads: We launched targeted Google Ads campaigns focusing on search terms like “pizza restaurant near me” and “Italian restaurant open now.” This helped Gino’s reach customers searching for dining options in real-time.
- Social Media Ads: Apollo set up local ads on Facebook and Instagram with eye-catching images of Gino’s pizza, highlighting weekly specials and limited-time deals. We also created geo-targeted ads to attract nearby residents and drive foot traffic.
Engaging Content Creation:
- We encouraged customers to share their experiences with Gino’s on social media by creating a hashtag campaign, which boosted word-of-mouth marketing.
- Our team generated posts with high-quality images and engaging captions on social media, promoting new menu items, events, and customer appreciation offers.
Reputation Management:
- To enhance trust, we helped Gino’s manage and encourage online reviews on Google and Yelp. Positive customer reviews were highlighted on social media, and Apollo engaged with any customer feedback to demonstrate responsiveness and care.

The Results

After implementing these strategies, Gino’s Pizza and Pasta saw significant improvements in both online engagement and in-store visits. Key results included:

36% Increase in Foot Traffic: Over a three-month period, Gino’s experienced a 36% increase in foot traffic, with many customers mentioning that they discovered the restaurant online or through social media.
Improved Local SEO Ranking: Gino’s Google Business Profile ranking increased, placing it within the top three search results for terms like “pizza near me” and “Italian restaurant [city].” This led to a 48% increase in website visits directly from local searches.
Social Media Engagement Surge: Social media followers on Facebook and Instagram grew by 62%, with an increase in engagement on posts showcasing menu specials, events, and customer appreciation days. The hashtag campaign also encouraged user-generated content, which helped boost visibility.
Higher Conversion from Ads: The Google and social media ad campaigns generated a significant return on ad spend (ROAS) by bringing new customers directly to the restaurant. Over the campaign period, click-through rates (CTR) on ads increased by 42%, contributing to a steady flow of new diners.

Client's Review

“Working with Apollo Digital Marketing transformed our business. We were able to reach people who hadn’t heard of us before, and we’re now getting customers who drive across town to try our pizza! Our foot traffic and online engagement have never been better, and we couldn’t have done it without Apollo’s expertise.”

Gino, Owner of Gino’s Pizza and Pasta