SEO Case Study: Boosting Rewards Program and Mobile App Visibility for a Major Food and Beverage Chain

Content Marketing and SEO

Boosting Rewards Program and Mobile App Visibility for a Major Food and Beverage Chain

SEO Case Study: Boosting Rewards Program and Mobile App Visibility for a Major Food and Beverage Chain

Overview

This case study shows how our SEO, social media and marketing tactics amplified reach and attracted more visitors to a leading food and drink chain's Rewards Program and mobile app pages. The outcome was 400% more traffic flocking to the Rewards Program page and a whopping 550% increase for the mobile app page.

Challenge

Our client, a well-known national food and beverage chain, aimed to improve search engine rankings and visibility for their Rewards Program and mobile app. The main challenges included:
  • Increasing organic traffic to specific, high-value pages (Rewards Program and mobile app)
  • Navigating the complex organizational structure to implement changes effectively
  • Competing in a saturated market with numerous established competitors

Strategy

We implemented a comprehensive SEO approach tailored to the client's specific needs:
  1. Technical SEO
  2. Keyword Research and Content Optimization
  3. Local SEO Enhancement
  4. App Store Optimization (ASO)
  5. Link Building and Digital PR
  6. Social Media Integration for SEO

1. Technical SEO

We conducted a thorough technical audit and implemented improvements across the site:
  • Site Speed Optimization

    • Conducted a full performance audit using in-house tools
    • Implemented lazy loading for images and optimized image sizes
    • Minified CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files
    • Leveraged browser caching and implemented a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
  • Mobile Responsiveness

    • Ensured all pages, especially the Rewards Program and app download pages, were fully responsive
    • Implemented Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) for key landing pages to improve mobile performance
  • Schema Markup Implementation

    • Added appropriate schema markup for the organization, local businesses, and software application (for the mobile app)
    • Implemented FAQ schema on the Rewards Program page to enhance SERP visibility
  • Site Architecture Improvement

    • Streamlined navigation to prioritize the Rewards Program and mobile app pages
    • Implemented breadcrumb navigation to improve user experience and site crawlability

2. Keyword Research and Content Optimization

We focused on identifying and targeting keywords specific to loyalty programs and mobile apps in the food and beverage industry:
  • Keyword Research

    • Used in-house tools to identify high-value keywords related to loyalty programs and mobile ordering in the food service industry
    • Analyzed competitor keywords to identify gaps and opportunities
  • Content Optimization

    • Optimized meta titles, descriptions, and header tags for the Rewards Program and mobile app pages
    • Created new, keyword-rich content explaining the benefits of the Rewards Program and mobile app
    • Developed an FAQ section addressing common questions about the program and app
  • Content Creation Strategy

    • Developed a content calendar focusing on topics related to customer loyalty, mobile ordering, and industry trends
    • Created blog posts and articles showcasing the convenience and benefits of the Rewards Program and mobile app

3. Local SEO Enhancement

Given the client's numerous physical locations, we implemented a robust local SEO strategy:
  • Google My Business Optimization

    • Ensured all locations had accurate and complete Google My Business listings
    • Added posts about the Rewards Program and mobile app to GMB listings
  • Location Pages Optimization

    • Created unique, optimized content for each location page
    • Included calls-to-action (CTAs) promoting the Rewards Program and mobile app on each location page
  • Local Link Building

    • Secured citations and links from local business directories and chambers of commerce
    • Engaged in local sponsorships and events to generate local backlinks

4. App Store Optimization (ASO)

To improve the visibility of the mobile app in app stores:
  • Keyword Optimization

    • Conducted keyword research specific to app stores
    • Optimized app title, subtitle, and description with relevant keywords
  • Visual Asset Optimization

    • Created compelling app icons and screenshots highlighting key features
    • Developed a preview video showcasing the app's functionality
  • Ratings and Reviews

    • Implemented a strategy to encourage satisfied users to leave positive reviews
    • Actively responded to user reviews to improve engagement and address concerns

5. Link Building and Digital PR

We implemented a comprehensive link building strategy to boost domain authority and referral traffic:
  • Digital PR Campaigns

    • Developed newsworthy stories around the Rewards Program and mobile app
    • Reached out to industry publications and food bloggers for coverage and backlinks
  • Influencer Partnerships

    • Collaborated with food and lifestyle influencers to promote the Rewards Program and mobile app
    • Secured social media mentions and backlinks through influencer content
  • Resource Link Building

    • Created valuable resources related to loyalty programs and mobile ordering trends in the food industry
    • Promoted these resources to relevant websites for backlinks

6. Social Media Integration for SEO

Recognizing the significant impact of social signals and user engagement on search rankings, we implemented a robust social media strategy to complement our SEO efforts:
  • Content Amplification

    • Developed a content distribution strategy to share optimized content across all relevant social media platforms
    • Created platform-specific content to maximize engagement on each social channel
  • Engagement Campaigns

    • Launched targeted social media campaigns to drive traffic to the Rewards Program and mobile app pages
    • Utilized hashtag strategies to increase visibility and encourage user-generated content
  • Social Proof and Trust Signals

    • Encouraged satisfied customers to share their experiences with the Rewards Program and mobile app on social media
    • Showcased positive user testimonials and reviews across social channels
  • Social Media Optimization

    • Optimized social media profiles with relevant keywords and links to key pages
    • Ensured consistency in branding and messaging across all platforms
  • Influencer Collaborations

    • Partnered with food and lifestyle influencers to create authentic content promoting the Rewards Program and mobile app
    • Tracked and amplified influencer-generated content to maximize reach and engagement
  • Social Listening and Reputation Management

    • Monitored social media mentions and engaged with users to build brand loyalty
    • Addressed customer concerns promptly to maintain a positive online reputation
This comprehensive social media strategy not only increased brand visibility but also significantly contributed to our SEO efforts. By driving high-quality, engaged traffic from social platforms to our optimized web pages, we were able to send strong user engagement signals to search engines. This approach aligns with established industry knowledge about the impact of user behavior and engagement metrics on search rankings.

Challenges in Implementation

Working with a large corporation presented unique challenges:
  • Stakeholder Management: Coordinated with multiple departments (IT, Marketing, Legal) to implement changes
  • Approval Processes: Navigated complex approval workflows for content and technical changes
  • Legacy Systems: Worked around limitations of existing technological infrastructure
To address these challenges, we:
  • Established clear communication channels with all relevant departments
  • Created a detailed project timeline with built-in buffer for approval processes
  • Developed phased implementation plans to work within existing system constraints

Results

After implementing our SEO strategy, including the social media integration:
  • Traffic to the Rewards Program page increased by 400%
  • Traffic to the mobile app page increased by 550%
  • Overall organic visibility for loyalty and mobile app-related keywords improved by over 200%
  • App store rankings for relevant keywords improved, leading to a 300% increase in organic app downloads
  • Social media referral traffic to key pages increased by 275%
  • Average time on site for social media referrals improved by 45%, sending positive engagement signals to search engines

Conclusion

This case study shows the strength of using a comprehensive, multi-platform method for SEO, specifically to put the spotlight on particular aspects like a Rewards Scheme and applications for mobile devices.
Merging usual SEO methods with a powerful social media plan, we could gain substantial boosts in organic exposure and traffic. We hinged our strategy on the well-known link between user activity signs and search positions.
By steering top tier traffic from social media towards web pages made optimal, we designed a beneficially repetitive pattern of heightened visibility, interaction, and enhanced search efficiency.