- Hillary Plauche
- food industry, GMB optimization, Google Maps, google my business, local seo, restaurant marketing, restaurants
- 0 Comments
- 352 Views
Introduction
Running a restaurant is hard work—but getting diners through the door shouldn’t be. 🍽️ With the power of Google My Business (GMB), you can attract more diners, improve your restaurant’s online presence, and even boost foot traffic. From mouthwatering photos to optimizing your GMB posts, this guide will walk you through how to make your GMB profile a magnet for hungry locals. 🍔 Ready to fill those tables? Let’s dig in.
1. Post Delicious, High-Quality Photos
Let’s be honest—food is visual. People eat with their eyes first, so your GMB photos need to show off your dishes in the best possible light. 📸
- Why It Matters: Research shows that GMB profiles with high-quality photos receive 35% more clicks to their websites and 42% more requests for directions. In the restaurant industry, photos can be the deciding factor for someone choosing your place over another.
Pro Tip: Hire a food photographer or use natural light to make your dishes pop. Update your photos regularly, especially when you launch new menu items or run special promotions.
2. Get Those Rave Reviews
Your restaurant might serve the best burger in town, but without positive reviews, no one’s going to know about it. Encourage your diners to leave detailed reviews after their meal.
- Why It Matters: Reviews not only help potential diners trust your business, but they also send important signals to Google about your restaurant’s popularity. According to BrightLocal, 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
Pro Tip: Respond to both positive and negative reviews. When you show that you care about customer feedback, it builds trust and could turn a 4-star into a 5-star experience.
3. Use GMB Posts to Highlight Specials and Events
People love a good special or event, so use GMB posts to spread the word. Whether it’s Taco Tuesday, Happy Hour, or a holiday brunch, you can keep your customers in the loop by posting regularly on GMB.
- Why It Matters: GMB posts get prime visibility in local search results, increasing your chances of standing out to hungry locals. According to Google, businesses that actively post see 2x more engagement.
Pro Tip: Include high-quality images in your posts, along with strong CTAs like “Book a Table” or “Call Now.” 📅
4. Make It Easy for Diners to Book or Call
People are busy, and they don’t want to jump through hoops to make a reservation. Your GMB profile should make it super simple for diners to book a table or call your restaurant.
- Why It Matters: Listings with direct booking or calling features get 50% more conversions. Use GMB integrations to add a “Book Now” button linked to your reservation system or a “Call” button for those who prefer phone bookings.
Pro Tip: Add keywords like “reservations” or “call for a table” in your posts and description to make it clear that booking is easy with you.
5. Optimize for Voice Search
With voice search growing fast, more people are asking, “Hey Google, where can I get pizza near me?” Make sure your GMB profile is optimized for conversational keywords to show up in voice searches.
- Why It Matters: 55% of people use voice search to find local businesses. By optimizing your GMB profile for voice search queries, you can capture diners looking for specific meals or restaurant types.
Pro Tip: Use phrases like “best Italian restaurant near me” or “gluten-free pizza options” in your business description and posts to capture voice search traffic.
Conclusion
Your restaurant’s Google My Business profile is more than just a listing—it’s your secret weapon for attracting more diners and filling up your tables. From jaw-dropping food photos to glowing reviews, use GMB to its fullest potential to get more foot traffic and online bookings. Want to know if your GMB profile is up to par?
Is your Google My Business profile holding you back? Find out with our Free GMB Audit Report! We’ll show you exactly where you’re not optimized and provide actionable insights to help you rise to the top of local search results.
Claim your free report now and start improving your online presence today!
