Restaurant owners have a lot on their plate even before they open their doors for business. They have a long list of must-haves, including a delicious menu, a prime location, and an amazing staff. However, getting ahead in the highly competitive world of restaurants can be difficult. With over one million restaurants in the United States, businesses looking to build a name for themselves face a steep uphill battle.
Great food and a fantastic ambiance are the cornerstones of a successful restaurant. But they do not mean much without a substantial customer base—and getting diners to fill your tables requires marketing.
Many restaurant owners may not be natural marketers, but a solid understanding of the fundamentals can mean the difference between a packed house and an empty one.
Read on to discover five creative ways to effectively advertise your restaurant online and position your business for success.
1. Create a Well-Designed and Functional Website
Restaurants, like every other business, require a website. With over 80% of consumers, including diners, conducting research online before making a purchase, failing to have an online presence or having a poor website puts you behind the competition.
Your restaurant website doesn’t have to be flashy or loaded with features, but it should be well-designed, functional, easy to use, and full of information relevant to diners. This includes your contact details, location, hours of operation, and most importantly, the menu. For most customers, menu items are the most essential factor when picking a restaurant, so make sure your website highlights what sets you apart.
Also, check that your website is mobile-friendly since more people search on their phones than on computers.
2. Leverage Social Media Platforms
If your website is your only online presence, you may be missing out on significant promotional opportunities that social media platforms provide. Because a large number of your customers are active on at least one social media site, you should go where they are and establish your presence.
Engage in various social media channels to determine which ones are ideal for your brand, food, and customer base. Set up Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram business pages to connect with existing and potential customers.
Have fun when it comes to posting content. Give your customers a feast for their eyes by posting high-quality photos of your food. Promote upcoming specials, run contests, introduce new employees, and more—anything that reflects your restaurant’s brand and personality.
3. Partner with Food Influencers
If you use social media or read blogs, you’ve surely seen influencers share mouth-watering food photos and helpful reviews. Some of these social media experts do it for pleasure, while others make a living by visiting restaurants and taking pictures of “Instagram-worthy” dishes. Take advantage of the power they have, and spice up your social media with influencers!
Start by identifying local influencers and inviting them to enjoy a free meal at your restaurant. In exchange, ask them to write a blog piece or post on social media about your restaurant.
By collaborating with influencers, you instantly connect your restaurant to their online community of followers. When influencers share a post about your restaurant, you can expect considerably more comments, likes, and shares than on a non-sponsored post. Expect more traffic and tags from customers eager to try your food.
4. Optimize Your Online Presence
Most potential customers search for your restaurant on the internet, so check that all your information online is accurate and up-to-date. Your customers may not find your restaurant if your business listings are outdated.
Unless you establish your brand’s presence on major platforms and regularly update your website content, you lose the chance to engage your customers and encourage them to leave a review.
Use your website, social media platforms, and review sites to make it easier for your customers to find you. Keep an eye on your online presence and make sure your contact information, menu, location, and photos are all current. Having a strong online presence across all platforms and regularly updating your restaurant’s business listings makes a good impression on guests and leads to more positive reviews.
5. Use QR Codes to Increase Visibility
Many restaurants have shifted from traditional paper menus to QR code menus, prompted by the digitalization of restaurants and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many establishments are not taking advantage of the marketing benefits of using QR codes.
While QR codes are not new to the marketing landscape, many restaurant owners have yet to capitalize on their potential. A QR code may be used on everything from tableside ordering to social media postings to help boost your business’s visibility and increase sales. Incorporating QR codes into your restaurant’s marketing strategy can help you increase revenue without spending lots of money on new promotional material.
If you want to drum up sales, post your QR code to your social media feeds and inform your customers that they now have more options to order from your restaurant.
Conclusion
Online marketing is critical to your restaurant’s success. Technology has a significant impact on how individuals find new businesses in today’s environment. With these five online marketing strategies, your restaurant will get the exposure it deserves, driving more diners through your doors.
