Are You Optimising Your Google My Business Page To Drive Bookings?
Strategies to optimise your page’s presence
In today’s digital age, Google plays a pivotal role in shaping the way potential customers discover and evaluate your restaurant. This makes it crucial to have a Google My Business page set up if you want to reach more people and use the platform as a booking driver. In this article, we’ll delve into why Google is essential for your hospitality business and explore various strategies to optimise your page’s presence.
Information Accessibility
The first step in a customer’s journey is usually a Google search. People turn to Google to find essential information about your restaurant, such as its address, operating hours, and contact details. Regularly updating your Google My Business profile ensures that this information is readily available to potential customers.
User-Friendly Website Links
Google offers convenient access to links on your website. Ensuring that these links are kept up to date allows prospective customers to easily explore your menu, make reservations, or order takeaway. This smooth user experience can substantially enhance your website traffic and drive an increase in bookings.
Visual Appeal
Using high-quality imagery on your Google My Business page is an absolute necessity. These images serve as a digital display of your food and beverage offering, effectively luring in potential diners to your restaurant. Consider investing in professional photography and ensuring regular updates to your visual content. After all, the last thing you’d want is for someone to base their decision on outdated customer snapshots from two years ago, potentially turning them away from your venue.
Category Selection
Choosing the right category for your restaurant on Google is paramount. When you correctly categorise your establishment (e.g., “pizza restaurant” for a pizza restaurant), you increase your chances of appearing at the top of relevant search results. This improves visibility and makes it easier for potential customers to find your restaurant.
Reviews Matter
Customer reviews on Google are the digital equivalent of word-of-mouth recommendations. Encourage customers to leave reviews, and more importantly, respond to them. Engaging with reviews, whether positive or negative, not only demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction but also helps improve your ranking on Google. The search engine values businesses that actively interact with its platform users.
Google Posts
Google Posts allows you to share news, updates, and special offers directly on your Google My Business listing. These posts can keep potential customers informed about events, promotions, or menu changes, giving them more reasons to visit your restaurant.
Google Maps Integration
Your restaurant’s presence on Google Maps is essential for attracting customers who are searching for nearby dining options. Ensuring that your location is correctly marked, and providing accurate directions can be the deciding factor for on-the-go diners.
Google My Business data for our client: Pizza & Wine Bar On The South Coast
During September this account attracted thousands of prospective customers. They are not only clicking on the website to gain further insights, but they’re also downloading the menu and using the provided map directions to easily navigate to the restaurant.
1,921 profile interactions
234 clicks through to the menu
266 took directions to the venue
1,421 clicks through to the website
That’s a lot of reach!
Google is a dynamic marketing tool that can significantly impact your restaurant’s success. Regularly updating and optimising your Google My Business profile, engaging with customer reviews, and embracing local SEO strategies are all vital components of a comprehensive hospitality marketing strategy. By harnessing the power of Google, you can attract more customers, enhance your online reputation, and ultimately drive more business to your restaurant.
