Google Restaurant Summit: Bite-Sized Tips for Big Wins
We recently shared key insights from the Google Restaurant Summit, focusing on trends and innovations—now, let’s get practical. What does all of this mean for your restaurant, and how can you turn these trends into action?
From optimizing your Google Business Profile to leveraging social media integrations, here are the must-know strategies shaping the future of dining.
If Your GBP Could Talk, What Story Would it Tell?
That’s the question that stuck with me the most at Google’s Restaurant Summit. Would it tell a story of a thriving, well-optimized business with glowing reviews and up-to-date information? Or would it be a tale of neglect—wrong opening hours, missing details, and unanswered reviews?
Why Optimized GBPs Matter
Your Google Business Profile is often a customer’s first impression of your restaurant—especially for those discovering it for the first time.
Outdated details like the wrong phone number or incorrect hours can frustrate potential guests and make your business seem unreliable. But a well-maintained profile? That signals trust, professionalism, and a commitment to great customer service. Keep it accurate, and you’ll keep customers coming through the door!
10 Tips How to Optimize Google Business Profiles
How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
To get the most out of a Google Business Profile, it’s essential to claim and verify your profile. This not only ensures your business is listed correctly on Google Search and Maps but also guarantees that you control the information displayed to potential customers.
Then updating critical information is the next crucial step in keeping your profile accurate and current. The most important factor is your NAP data: name, address, and phone number, along with your opening hours—ideally broken down for each service, like delivery, separately.
One of the newer features Google introduced is the ability to set special hours for holidays or unexpected events. This can save businesses time and effort when managing profiles, ensuring the right information is always visible.
Lastly, positive reviews combined with rich media can boost visibility and make your restaurant stand out in a competitive market.
Categories and Attributes
Google allows businesses to include categories like “restaurant” and attributes like "cozy" in their profiles. That way, your GBP gives customers a clearer sense of the dining experience.
Social Media Integration
Businesses can link their Instagram and TikTok profiles to their Google Business Profile. Content from these platforms will then appear directly in search results, giving businesses a unique opportunity to increase visibility and engage with their audience more effectively.
Google also introduced a feature that allows businesses to pull events, deals, and specials directly from social media platforms and display them on search pages. This gives restaurants the chance to promote special offers without having to pay for boosted visibility. It’s an excellent way for restaurants to showcase deals like "two-for-one burger night" and attract more customers.
How to Handle Social Media for Restaurants
Menu Display
For restaurants, menus play a crucial role in attracting customers: they help potential diners decide whether they want to eat at your restaurant. Google allows businesses to display menus in various formats, including links, photos, and structured data with descriptions and prices.
If you’re serious about getting your menu right, consider using the Google Menu Editor, which allows you to enter menu items section by section. The new drag-and-drop feature makes it easier to reorder menu items and keep everything organized.
Also, Google just introduced PDF support for easier menu uploads, catering to the restaurant industry’s preference for PDF formats.
However, regular updates are key to preventing frustration, especially if there are discrepancies between your online menu and what's being charged on site.
Communication Channels
Google’s previous messaging service through Google Maps failed to gain traction, prompting a pivot to integrating widely-used platforms like WhatsApp. This change is especially prominent in countries such as Brazil and India, where WhatsApp is already a dominant communication tool.
Now, in the U.S., businesses can set up messaging options on their Google Business Profiles, with a full rollout expected soon. This move allows for more direct, efficient communication, making it easier for customers to engage with businesses in real-time.
Customer Reviews
Customer engagement doesn’t stop at updates and features—it extends to reviews. Positive reviews are one of the most powerful ways to build trust with potential customers. Now, Google provides businesses with tools to encourage customers to leave reviews, including QR codes for easy access to review pages.
The Recipe for Restaurant Review Management
Actionable GBP Takeaways for Restaurants
We've shared the strategies—now here’s your checklist to put them into action:
Claim and verify your GBP: Ensure your business information is accurate and up to date. By claiming and verifying your profile, you give your customers access to critical details like location, and contact information.
Update GBP with accurate info: Keep your hours of operation current, especially for customers seeking businesses that are "open now." Utilize attributes for things like "family-friendly", and use the special hours feature for holidays.
Use professional photography: Invest in high-quality images that reflect your brand. Professional photos help attract customers, convey your restaurant's atmosphere, and make your listing stand out among competitors.
List food ordering options: Highlight your ordering preferences on your Google Business Profile so customers can quickly find and use the most convenient channels to place their orders.
Monitor compliance: Stay informed about Google's merchant eligibility policy. Regularly check if you meet the criteria for full visibility on Google’s platforms, as any lapses may impact your listing.
Add social media channels: Integrating platforms like Instagram and TikTok allows you to showcase your social media content directly in search results. This expands your visibility and strengthens your connection with customers.
Show your menu: Take advantage of Google’s new drag-and-drop feature to easily rearrange your menu items. This tool simplifies menu management, and helps customers find what they’re looking for, leading to more efficient decision-making.
Encourage customer reviews: Google offers various tools to help encourage your customers to leave reviews, such as generating QR codes for easy access.
Don't wait for the future of dining—start shaping it today!
Conclusion
Ready to take your restaurant's online presence to the next level? It’s time to turn these insights into action!
With Uberall by your side, we’ll help you optimize your Google Business Profile, boost visibility, and engage customers like never before. Whether it's managing reviews, showcasing your menu, or integrating social media, we've got the tools to make sure your restaurant stands out in a crowded market.
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