You read that title right.
Here is a really easy to execute, no-cost way to attract more new guests and get those who have already dined with you to come back for more.
Check the analytics on your website. I guarantee the number one source of traffic, maybe even up to 75% of all clicks to your website, are coming from Google.
Actually, you don't need to check. You can trust me on this one if you just want to skip to the next step.
If Google is that important, then we need to get to the top of "near me" searches on Google, right?
Step 1: Claim, Verify, and Manage Your Google Page
If you haven't claimed the Google Business Page for your store location, do that right now. If you don't have control of your GBP, we can't move forward.
Fill out every field offered that is relevant to your business. Google has shared that businesses with complete profiles get 7x more clicks!
Step 2: Ask For Reviews
Little known secret: the business with the highest volume of recent 5-star reviews comes out on the top of near me searches.
So not only does it benefit you in search, but it’s also an incredible way to get feedback from your guests and learn more about your business.
Google straight up encourages this right from your Google Business Profile, so it's safe to assume it's a best practice.
Super important, though .. you CANNOT incentivize reviews. BIG NO-NO! See below from the latest Google Business Profile newsletter.
Keep it on the straight and narrow.
Step 3: Reply to Reviews
Treat online feedback the same as you would in-store feedback!
Not only is it just good hospitality to reply to every review you get, just as you would if a guest shared feedback in-store right to your face, but you should acknowledge, thank, and help them if something went wrong.
I suggest a 5-point system for replies, and this is for EVERY reply, positive or negative:
The Anatomy of a Perfect Response
- » Personalized greeting
- » Acknowledgement
- » Value statement
- » Consideration and helpfulness
- » Personalized closing
That is it. No joke. Claim your Google Business Profile, ask for your guests to share feedback in the form of a Google review and reply to those reviews.
Research shows that when guests see someone from the business replies regularly to reviews, they are not only more likely to dine there, they are also more likely to leave a review.
It has also been proven that restaurants that reply to reviews get more positive reviews.
Replying to guests is how you build a relationship, and that, my friends, is called retention marketing!
Getting more positive reviews for your business ranks your business higher in "near me" searches, and that, my friends, is called acquisition marketing!
How is this working for you?
PS ... have you registered for the NY Restaurant Show yet??!
I am hosting both a restaurant marketing Q&A and a restaurant marketing workshop, which means you can Discover Everything You Need to Know About Restaurant Marketing in one afternoon!
BONUS! - Use the code MARKETINGWKSHP when you check out, and your ticket to the show will be FREE, all you have to pay for is the workshop. Are you kidding me?!?! That is the deal of the century!
Seriously.
Get your ticket now to the NY Restaurant Show 2025 and the Restaurant Marketing Playbook Workshop
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Do you need help with any of this? Send me an email rev@brandedstrategic.net
- Rev Ciancio
WHAT DOES REV DO?
*I help restaurants to build guest marketing programs.
*I help hospitality tech companies with lead generation and content marketing.