To browse our product catalog
Please use the following login:
Owning a local restaurant is a great way to get involved in your community, make new friends and create memories. But just because you build it (your restaurant) doesn’t mean they (local customers) will come. You need to actively promote your restaurant business if you want it to succeed.
Here are 13 effective ways to market your restaurant to your local market.
1. Build a website.
2. Create a monthly email.
3. Update the menu on a regular basis.
4. Create a customer loyalty program.
5. Offer an online reservation tool.
6. Have a social media presence.
7. Run contests and games.
8. Leverage local writers and food bloggers.
9. Use effective SEO keywords.
10. Partner with delivery services.
11. Offer coupons and discounts.
12. Team up with local vendors.
13. Join the chamber of commerce.
Ready to bring in more local diners? Let’s explore these tips in more detail.
1. Build a website
Your website is the heart of your restaurant’s brand. It should be eye-catching, yet easy to navigate. Make sure it contains these items:
2. Create a monthly email
One successful way to promote your restaurant business to a local market is to ask customers to sign up for a monthly email through your website and when they dine with you.
Use the email to showcase employees, new food items, discounts and other company-related news to keep your restaurant in front of your customers.
Email marketing services, such as GoDaddy Email Marketing, make is easy to create and send your email newsletter, plus track results.
3. Update the menu on a regular basis
Keep your customers coming back for more by keeping your menu fresh with an updated look and feel and adding new products. If you don’t have an in-house graphic designer, use a freelance platform like Upwork to find one.
4. Create a customer loyalty program
According to Punchh, points-based rewards systems remain the most popular loyalty program models among restaurants. Establish how many points guests will earn per dollar spent, and come up with a wide range of compelling reward offerings, such as freebies, discounts or specialty promos. Apps such as Foursquare and OpenTable can help you achieve this.
5. Offer an online reservation tool
OpenTable can also help you with online reservations. Customers can use it to select an exact reservation time, browse menu items, and view ratings.
6. Have a social media presence
Creating Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages are an essential way to promote your restaurant business to a local market. Use these platforms to spread the word about food specials, new food items, recent news and positive reviews.
Make sure your food photos are bright and full of color so they don’t come off as bland or unappetizing. Using hashtags such as #[Restaurantname]HappyHour, #TBT or #MouthWateringWednesdays will also help you gain more followers.
Encourage customers to post photos of your restaurant and the food, and tag the location on their social media pages.
When posting, the timing should be strategic. For example, feature a savory food item or special a couple of hours before lunchtime so customers have time to plan their visit. Or if you’re promoting happy hour, make sure you post about your specials before and during the specific timeframe.
Having a Yelp account encourages customers to write reviews, and because these accounts can exist even if you don’t create one, it’s important to have an official Yelp account. According to WordStream, it’s important to communicate information through your account like photos, store hours, location, menu, price range, WiFi, outdoor seating, parking and more. Whether the reviews are negative or positive, always handle the feedback in a kind, professional manner.
Lastly, don’t forget to monitor your social media success by using measurement tools such as Google Analytics and Hootsuite.
7. Run contests and games
Engage customers while they’re enjoying their meal by allowing them to participate in a contest or game. They could help name a new menu item or enter a raffle for a free meal. This can be effective in your restaurant, as well as on your social media channels.
8. Leverage local writers and food bloggers
Send out a press release when you have news to share about your restaurant. Invite local food bloggers and journalists to your restaurant to garner reviews. Make sure you also share the positive press on your website and social media pages to promote your restaurant business to local customers.
9. Use effective SEO keywords
According to Vision Advertising, 72 percent of all searches are related to local content. Restaurant Engine recommends creating a Google Pluspage, then using Google Adwords to learn what people are searching. Try inputting queries you think would be used to find a restaurant in your category and region, such as “[your city] restaurants,” “[your food category] [your city]” and “restaurants in [your city].”
10. Partner with delivery services
Today’s customers expect to be able to order from most local restaurants through delivery services. Eat 24 and Delivery.com are two to consider teaming up with.
11. Offer coupons and discounts
What better way to promote your restaurant business than by offering savings. Join a local eCommerce savings site, such as Groupon, to offer discounts where customers are already looking for local deals.
12. Team up with local vendors
If your budget allows, team up with a local vendor who specializes in fresh produce or ingredients so you can both cross-promote your brands. When two businesses have the same goals, it’s a win-win situation.
13. Join the chamber of commerce
According to Fit Small Business, joining your local chamber of commerce gives you valuable access to the local community and the opportunity to host events and parties for members. You will also receive a link on its website which helps with search engine rankings.
In conclusion
Hopefully, these 13 tips will help you promote your restaurant business and bring more local traffic to your doorstep. So fire up the kitchen and start plating those meals!
Source: Kateri Wozny for GoDaddy