Top 5 Google Business Profile Tips For Restaurants
In this digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for any business, and restaurants are no exception. Your online presence, your website and your marketing serve as your 24/7 digital shopfront and are among the most valuable tools in generating interest in your brand.
One of the most significant things a restaurant business can do to generate more visibility and capture more traffic is to have a functional Google Business Profile (GBP).
1: Optimise Your Google Business Profile
The first tip to make the most of your Google Business Profile is to optimise it for maximum visibility. This includes choosing the right categories, writing a compelling business description, and adding high-quality photos so consumers get a well-rounded view of what dining with you is like.
Choosing the right categories
When creating or updating your Google Business Profile, it is crucial to choose the most relevant categories for your restaurant. This helps Google understand what your business is about and improves your chances of appearing in relevant search results. For example, if you are a pizza restaurant, make sure to include categories such as "Italian restaurant" and "pizza restaurant" for the most views.
It is also important to note that Google allows you to choose multiple categories for your business. So, make sure to select all the categories that are relevant to your restaurant to help you reach a wider audience and attract more customers.
Writing a compelling business description
Your business description is one of the most crucial elements of your Google Business Profile and the first thing that potential customers will see when they come across your profile.
Your description should reflect your unique personality and business aims, and be clever and compelling. Use keywords that are relevant to your restaurant to improve your chances of appearing in search results. Also, make sure to highlight your restaurant's specialities, such as your menu, ambience, and service. This will help you stand out from the competition and attract more customers.
Adding high-quality photos
Photos are a powerful tool to showcase your restaurant's food, drinks, and ambience. They can help potential customers get a sense of what it's like to dine at your establishment. So, make sure to add high-quality photos that accurately reflect your restaurant's offerings, rather than highly polished images that may not be the reality when guests dine with you.
2: Boost your online presence
Once you’ve created your Google Business Profile, you also need to make sure that your profile is optimised to increase your online visibility. This means adding accurate and detailed information about your restaurant, such as:
- Address of business
- Phone number
- Website link
- Hours of operation
- Link to the menu
By providing consumers with all the information they need, you provide every opportunity to please them and encourage a direct booking. However, if for example, someone is interested in making a booking but they need to check the menu for allergy guidance and can’t access a menu, they’re going to get frustrated and go elsewhere.
Keywords
Another way to boost your online presence is by using keywords in your Google Business Profile. When potential customers search for specific keywords, such as "best pizza in [location]" or "family-friendly restaurant," Google (and other search engines) will use those keywords to match your restaurant with relevant search queries and increase organic traffic. By including relevant keywords in your profile, you can increase your chances of showing up in search results and attracting more customers.
Attracting more customers
Once you have set up your Google Business Profile, you’ll need to make sure it is attractive and valuable to potential customers. One of the easiest ways to do this is by offering a virtual tour of your restaurant to give customers a sense of what it's like to dine with you.
In addition to this, using a mix of high-quality photos and UGC highlights to guests what eating with you is like, showing not only professional and delicious food, but also realistic pictures from actual guests. This can help consumers build trust with your brand and decide whether or not to book with you from content alone.
3: Manage and Respond to Reviews
Online reviews can make or break a restaurant's reputation, which is why it's important to actively manage and respond to reviews on Google.
Encouraging customers to leave reviews
Encouraging customers to leave reviews is a great way to improve your restaurant's online reputation, with 49% of consumers trusting online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
You can boost the number of positive reviews by providing excellent service and asking customers to leave a review after their meal. Alternatively, add a link to your website to make it easy for customers to leave a review, or follow up with an email. If you offer the opportunity for a reward, such as a free drink next time you visit, or a percentage discount, this can also be an incentive to leave a review.
Handling negative reviews professionally
Even the best restaurants occasionally receive negative reviews. When this happens, it's important to respond professionally and offer a solution to the customer's problem. This shows that you care about your customers and are willing to go above and beyond to make things right. In fact, a study found that 7 out of 10 customers changed their opinion about a business after the business responded to the review.
When responding to negative reviews, it's important to avoid being defensive or confrontational. Instead, acknowledge the customer's concerns and offer a solution. This can help turn a negative experience into a positive one and show potential customers that you value their feedback.
Showcasing positive reviews
Positive reviews are a great way to showcase your restaurant's strengths and attract more customers. Make sure to share positive reviews on your website, social media channels, and in your restaurant. This helps potential customers see that others have had a positive experience and increases their likelihood of choosing your restaurant.
One way to showcase positive reviews is to create a "testimonials" section on your website. This section can feature quotes from satisfied customers and links to their full reviews on Google or other review sites. You can also display positive reviews in your restaurant by creating a "wall of fame" or featuring them on your menu.
By actively managing and responding to reviews, you can improve your restaurant's online reputation and attract more customers. Studies show that consumers are likely to spend 31% more on products/services from businesses that have excellent reviews.
4: Utilise Google Posts to Share Updates and Promotions
Google Posts are a powerful tool to share updates, promotions, and events with potential customers. By utilising Google Posts effectively, you can keep your customers informed and engaged with your restaurant.
Creating engaging content
When creating Google Posts, it pays off to be engaging and relevant to your audience. Your posts should provide value to your customers and encourage them to visit your restaurant. This could include updates about new menu items, exclusive promotions, events, or other relevant news about your restaurant. For example, if you are introducing a new dish, you could post a teaser picture of the dish along with a description of its ingredients and flavours to entice people to make a booking and come try it.
5: Promoting Special Offers and Events
Google Posts are a great way to promote special offers and events at your restaurant. This could include discounts, special menus, or events such as live music or games nights. By promoting these offers and events through Google Posts, you can attract more customers and increase your revenue. Make sure to include all the necessary details such as the date, time, and location of the event along with any terms and conditions to ensure views have all the relevant information needed.
Keeping customers informed about changes
Google Posts are also useful for keeping customers informed about changes to your restaurant. For instance, if you are changing your operating hours or renovating your restaurant, you can use Google Posts to inform your customers to avoid any confusion. This helps customers stay up to date and shows that you are proactive about communicating with them.
Additionally, Google Posts is a great place to share any positive reviews or awards that your restaurant receives, which can help build your credibility and reputation, further enticing new customers to book with you.
What is a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile is an easy tool that businesses can use to manage their online presence across Google. GBP ensures consumers have all the relevant information about your business, including opening hours, contact info, location of your premises, menu, booking info, etc.
Why a Google Business Profile is essential for restaurants
When people search for restaurants online, they often look for information such as the address, phone number, menu, and existing customer reviews. Having a complete and accurate GBP ensures that your restaurant shows up prominently in search results and provides potential customers with the information they need to make a direct booking. Additionally, actively managing your Google Business Profile can help you attract more customers, manage your online reputation, and increase customer loyalty.
Now you know why you need a Google Business Profile, below are our top 5 tips to help restaurants make the most of their Google Business Profile and attract more customers.
We can help
At Cab Hospitality, we have over 30 years of industry experience, and a specialist team with valuable expertise in all areas of hospitality marketing, including Google Business Profile advice and support.
If you’d like some expert support in your hospitality marketing efforts, don’t hesitate to get in touch.