In today’s day and age, you might think that having a restaurant would be an easy way to make money.
However, in reality, it’s quite the opposite.
These days, with dozens of other restaurants around you, your customers can easily just hop over to the next place and order their food there instead of waiting for yours to get done.
That’s why it’s so important to take advantage of digital marketing to boost your restaurant’s orders and encourage people to stay in your place longer and order more food than they normally would.
If you own or operate a restaurant, you understand the importance of being able to fill your tables at all times.
It’s not enough to get people in the door; you also have to get them to stay and order additional items on their menu.
By following the tips below, you can create an environment that encourages your customers to spend more while they’re there, ensuring that you will end up with a greater profit at the end of the day.
1) Increase your online presence
One of your most important goals as a restaurant owner is to bring in more customers, and one of your best bets for doing that is by growing your online presence.
You might be surprised at how many people check online reviews and menus before visiting a restaurant. Investing in some digital marketing should help you drive those extra diners in, primarily if you work with a restaurant SEO agency.
With so many options out there, though, it can be tough to figure out where to start; some easy-to-understand analytics software may be able to help you make sense of things.
And don’t worry about getting fancy here: If setting up Google My Business and adding yourself on Facebook is what you need to do, Marketer can assist you with restaurant digital marketing services at an affordable price.
2) Offer discounts and promotions
As long as it doesn’t sacrifice your food quality, discounts and promotions are a great way to get more orders.
You can offer anything from meal deals to eat in specials to special holiday menus.
If you want to stand out, consider offering takeout and delivery specials.
People are busy these days—for many people, eating at home is their preferred method of dining out.
So, suppose you offer delivery services that rival or surpass those chain restaurants offer (think online ordering, customization options, and extremely fast service).
In that case, your business might be poised for some serious growth.
It’s a well-known fact that discounts and promotions will increase your chances of converting potential customers into paying customers.
Even if you have had an exceptional track record for providing good quality food and service, you should still consider offers or deals to boost your business further.
You can offer all sorts of discounts: buy one get one free, kids eat free with every adult meal, birthday meal, etc.
If you think about it, developing a winning menu is an art form.
Restaurants spend as much time (if not more) on their food and drink offerings as they do on marketing and customer relations.
Why?
Because they know that, while it’s easy to attract new customers through slick advertising and social media, getting people back—and increasing overall business—hinges on their offering.
And since most people only try a place once or twice before deciding whether or not to go back, that’s what makes your food menu so important:
If your offerings don’t resonate with diners, they will quickly lose interest and go elsewhere.
The result?
Missed opportunities for repeat customers who could turn into evangelists for your restaurant.
4) Train your staff
We can’t stress enough how important it is to train your staff.
If you’re an entrepreneur and you have employees, training them for key events, like a big holiday or special promotion, will ensure that they’re up to speed.
This is particularly important if your business caters to high-end clients—if they don’t understand why you’re offering a particular dish or what wine goes best with it, they might pass on it altogether.
By making sure your staff has specific knowledge of each menu item and how it should be presented, you’ll get more consistent orders.
Make training videos: Creating your own promo videos is a powerful way to deliver your message—and create buzz around upcoming promotions.
5) Get involved in the community
Marketing strategies for restaurants suggest being present in your customers’ lives—not just when they come to eat at your restaurant.
Make appearances at school events, church functions, festivals, and fairs; sponsor community projects; or get involved with local non-profits or charitable organizations.
The more you personally connect with members of your community, the easier it will be to build a reputation as an ambassador for good food and strong community relationships.
You’ll also have opportunities to engage these individuals on social media and other platforms that can eventually increase sales.
And don’t forget, offering locally sourced ingredients is a great way to connect with consumers who care about where their food comes from and how it was grown or raised.
