From Kitchen to Clicks: A Restaurant’s Guide to Digital Marketing

Succeeding in the restaurant industry is about much more than preparing mouthwatering food. First, it is about capturing the attention of potential clients. Clickbait is about stimulating the senses and creating desire. This can be accomplished by using online tactics like social media marketing, web content, and harnessing the power of Google.  Digital marketing plays a key role in getting customers to walk through the door of your establishment. So, how can digital marketing for restaurants turn your clicks into clients?

First…

What kind of restaurant are you?

When answering this question, it is important to think about your:

Mission Statement – This is your motto if you will, representing who you are and what you stand for. There are 3 parts to a mission statement:

1. Purpose: The reason your business exists

2. Vision: What you want to accomplish

3. Values: Values that are at the core of your restaurant’s behaviours and decisions

Starbucks’ mission statement, for example, is “to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.” This speaks to the clients you will get and the employees you have and will get. A mission statement is a much-needed clear description of a restaurant’s values and how these relate to your clients and employees.

Unique Selling Point – Your mission statement will include your unique selling point (USP). This is key to encouraging customers to choose your restaurant over competitors. Starbucks’ USP is “love your beverage or let us know. We’ll always make it right.”

You can promote your mission statement and USP by incorporating digital marketing for restaurants.

What’s Next

Website – It is crucial for restaurants to have a website since this is where your information can be found to draw in more customers. When people are looking for a place to eat, they want to know if the food appeals to them. An online menu with descriptive content helps turn potential clients into customers. It is also important to include background information on your restaurant’s history and culinary achievements.

Pictures of your food will further aid in drawing potential visitors as internet searchers often look for visual proof. Photos should be high-quality since they are an important part of your clients first impressions.

Social Media – Social media is great for promoting your restaurant. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok focus on pictures and videos and are popular choices for potential clients to discover new restaurants. If you don’t have a social media account, consider getting one now.  You will gain new clients by capturing attention with entertaining posts and short videos of your restaurant.

Social channels are also terrific since they allow for sharing. When clients share images and videos of your space, they are providing you with free advertising and as a restauranter, what can be better than this!? Further yet, you connect with your audience by re-posting their posts, responding to their comments, and interacting regularly. This allows you the opportunity to build trust and when customers trust your business, they will keep coming back and even invite others to join in the experience. Always make sure you give credit to the person whose information you are reposting.

Google Business Account – Your digital marketing agency for restaurants will help you set up a Google business account. The information you provide to Google should include your address, phone number, and hours of operation. Your restaurant will appear in Google Maps and local searches for keywords like “restaurants near me” as part of local SEO. All this information helps potential customers find you. As a food destination, it is crucial to grab as many local customers as possible since your business relies on people travelling to your place.

Restaurant Application Listings – Get listed on restaurant applications such as OpenTable. You want to be found on these platforms to increase your appeal to people actually looking to dine out. Grab the attention of your target audience by providing as much information as possible such as:

·  Food Category (what type of food you offer)

·  Restaurant Type (what style of dining that you provide such as casual or formal)

·  Hours of Operation

When someone is looking for your specific type of culinary experience, it will be easier to find you based on their restaurant application search.

How Do You Know If Your Marketing Efforts Are Successful?

Digital marketing results can be measured by looking at:

·  Website Traffic

·  Website Behaviour (where people mostly go to on your site)

·  Most Ordered Food and Drink Online and Dining In

·  Where Your Clients are Coming From

·  Reviews You Receive

Always monitor feedback to see what is popular amongst your customers and to respond to comments promptly. This shows people you care about what they have to say, and your business success relies on your customers.

For more information on digital marketing for restaurants feel free to connect with us at Digital Monk Marketing. We focus on marketing to make your restaurant stand out.