
If you're running a restaurant, you know how important it is to be visible online. Google My Business is a free tool that can help you get noticed by potential customers, and it's especially valuable for restaurants. In this article, we'll cover the best practices and tips for using Google My Business to promote your restaurant.
Create a Google My Business listing
The first step to using Google My Business for your restaurant is to create a listing. This will allow you to appear on Google Maps and in search results when someone searches for your business. Make sure to add accurate information about your restaurant, including your hours, website, and contact information. You can also add photos of your restaurant and menu items to make your listing more attractive to potential customers.
Manage your listing
Once you've created a listing, it's important to keep it up to date. This includes updating your hours if they change, responding to reviews, and adding new photos of your restaurant and menu items. You can also use Google My Business to post updates about your restaurant, such as special promotions or events. This will help keep your listing fresh and relevant for potential customers.
Encourage reviews
Reviews are an important factor in getting noticed on Google My Business. Encourage your customers to leave reviews by including a request on your receipts or in a follow-up email. Respond to all reviews, even the negative ones, to show that you value customer feedback. This will also help improve your restaurant's overall reputation online.
Use Google Posts
Google Posts are a feature within Google My Business that allow you to create short updates about your restaurant. Use this feature to promote specials, events, or new menu items. You can also include images or videos to make your Posts more engaging. Keep in mind that Google Posts only show up for a week, so you'll need to update them regularly to stay visible.
Track your insights
Google My Business provides insights into how customers are finding and interacting with your listing. Use this information to improve your listing and marketing efforts. For example, if most of your customers are finding you through Google Maps, you may want to focus on optimizing your listing for maps. If most of your customers are clicking through to your website, you may want to make sure your website is up to date and user-friendly.