How can you increase your restaurant's visibility?

Do you want as many customers as possible to enjoy your impeccable customer service, your dishes capable of seducing any taste buds, or the extraordinary setting your restaurant offers? To do so, you'll need to rise to a challenge, not the least of which is developing your restaurant's visibility. 

We've identified 7 techniques for promoting your business. Spoiler alert: a lot of it happens online! 

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1. Be present on online platforms and exploit their potential

Review platforms such as The Fork, TripAdvisor, Google and Yelp are excellent ways to promote your restaurant. To optimize your chances of selling out, it's important to be present on as many of them as possible. 

However, your presence alone is not enough. To make the most of it, take the time to respond to both positive and negative reviews. In this way, you'll project the image of an establishment that is professional and attentive to its customers. It's a time-consuming task, but a highly effective one. With a price range and cuisine similar to that of your competitors, this is where you can make the difference and win consumer preference. According to a Partoo study, 76% of Internet users say they are influenced by an establishment's rating and reviews when making their choice. 

If you're looking for help managing your reviews or generating reviews, turn to Hey Pongo. They offer one-stop management of your Facebook, TripAdvisor and Google reviews, with quick response templates and tools to track, analyze and optimize your review management.

In addition to improving your e-reputation, responding to reviews will also help you gain visibility on Google. This search engine is particularly sensitive to this, as it is to the keywords included in your reviews, so spare no effort. You'll soon be rewarded with a higher ranking in the results pages! And don't forget to update your menu, opening hours and special closures, all of which will be valued by Google! 

For more visibility on Google, you can call on Malou. It's an online tool and a team of experts ready to help you develop your restaurant.

Finally, you should know that these online platforms or directories are one of the most relevant ways of creating a link with your customers. This interaction is key to building loyalty and keeping customers coming back. 

👉 To find out more: How to get reviews for your restaurant on TripAdvisor?

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2. Increase your presence on social networks 

When it comes to connecting with your customers, you need to pay particular attention to your social networks. These are the real bridges between your establishment and the customers who frequent it! Whether you're more into Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest or LinkedIn, make sure you keep them regularly updated with a variety of content: photos, competitions, videos and so on. The purpose of these posts can be to inform your customers about the arrival of a new dish on the menu or a current promotion, to entertain like a short video about what's going on in the kitchen, or to educate with an express quiz on the essential ingredients for making a particular recipe. 

It's the start of a dialogue with your customers, or rather, your community, a community that will become loyal to you and become your establishment's spokesperson! But be sure to adapt the type of content and tone of voice you use to suit your audience. 

You can also use influencers or content creators, as they offer a unique opportunity to quickly and effectively increase your restaurant's visibility. Their ability to generate engaging content, reach new audiences and build trust makes them a powerful asset in your marketing arsenal, helping your restaurant stand out in a competitive market. What's more, by choosing influencers based on their niche and audience, you can target specific groups that match your ideal clientele. This ensures that your message reaches the people most likely to be interested in your restaurant.

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3. Take care of your website to develop your visibility

In your quest for digital visibility, your website is an essential tool. Quite simply, it's your establishment's online showcase. Your priority? Provide Internet users with all the information they're likely to be looking for on your web page. Menu, drinks list, opening times, address, customer reviews, disabled access, vegetarian options - put yourself in your customers' shoes and answer any questions they might have. 

In addition to content, you also need to ensure a pleasant user experience. Pages that load quickly, an intuitive navigation menu, clear information that's easy to find - all this counts! 

Don't hesitate to highlight your strong points. Your partnership with local suppliers, the use of organic products in the preparation of your dishes, the digitalization of your establishment to limit queuing - all these arguments are excellent differentiating factors! 

Make your customers' testimonials accessible. Internet users are very interested in the opinions of people who have been to the restaurant they want to visit. These are often more objective than what the staff say. 

And because content is just as important as form, don't hesitate to enlist the help of professionals such as web developers, designers, photographers and so on. They'll help you improve page loading speed, visual quality and overall site design. The result? Customers looking for a good address will have an excellent perception of your establishment, and this will tip the balance in your favor. 

👉 To find out more: How to make your restaurant visible through SEO?

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4. Collaborate with delivery platforms to promote your brand

Multi-channel sales , particularly by delivery, are now part of the daily routine for many restaurateurs. Not only does this strategy enable you to increase your sales and reach customers you wouldn't normally have access to, it's also an excellent way of promoting your establishment. 

Every time users log on to platforms such as Uber Eats or Deliveroo, your brand is one of the options on offer. You're establishing your brand in their minds, and making sure they think of it naturally the next time they order or visit a restaurant. 

👉 To find out more: The 4 best meal delivery apps

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5. Join a chamber of commerce or professional network to gain visibility

To boost your restaurant's profile, consider joining your local Chamber of Commerce. This will give you access to the local community and enable you to organize events and parties for members. 

You can take advantage of this network to get in touch with trusted professionals who can help you promote your brand, as well as mentors and consultants who can help you progress in many areas (HR, marketing, accounting, operational management, technology, etc.). 

For all your restaurant digitalization needs, don't hesitate to contact one of our Innovorder experts. 

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6. Use the local media to get the word out

While your online presence is crucial, don't neglect the power of traditional means of communication such as the local media. These will be invaluable if you need to share news such as the opening of an outdoor terrace, the arrival of a new chef, changes to opening hours, etc. 

Articles written about your establishment in the local press are content you can use on your website or social networks. 

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7. Promote your restaurant through related activities and special operations

You can also offer services, products or activities more or less related to your core business.

Here are a few ideas to inspire you: 

• host a collection point for anti-gaspi baskets,

• organize events to celebrate dates that mean a lot to you, such as your birthday, Taste Week, International Zero Waste Day, etc,

• set up cooking workshops where individuals, couples, friends or colleagues can learn how to prepare certain recipes from your chef,

• partner with a local business and offer a package such as, for example, "a cinema ticket and a drink to enjoy in your establishment" at a preferential rate.

Special rates at certain times of the year or times of day, such as the traditional Happy Hour, are also effective in attracting consumers and turning them into regular customers. 

All these events and special operations will provide you with quality content to liven up your social networks and get people talking about you (word-of-mouth, specialized media, etc.).

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Did you like these tips? Don't hesitate to consult our other articles on our blog to help you develop your business!

Innovorder is the leader in digital solutions for commercial and institutional foodservice. Our team supports restaurateurs in their digital transformation with an all-in-one solution (cash register, kiosk, online ordering, KDS).