Attract more customers to your restaurant on Google My Business

Google My Business is one of the best social platforms available online for restaurants. An optimized GMB profile will appear at the top of Google local search. And since people often use Google to find local eateries, this type of information is more valuable than ever.

Step 1: Fill out your company information

Start by filling out basic information about your business. You can do this in the "Info" section of your GMB profile. Your restaurant's location, hours, and contact information will appear in search results, so make sure they are correct. You can also include links to your restaurant's website and menu.

In general, the more business information you can fill out in your profile, the better. Google looks more favorably on profiles with more information and displays them higher in search results.

Step 2: Request and Track Reviews

The most successful Google My Business listings also contain a lot of customer reviews. Of course, reviews are especially important for local restaurants, as word of mouth often attracts new customers.

The best way to start accumulating reviews on your GMB page is to ask customers to leave them. 

The best way to respond to bad reviews is to be kind and willing to make things right. This will show your customers that you are willing to go the extra mile to satisfy them.

Step 3: Add Images and Videos

People who search for your restaurant on Google My Business will want to get an idea of the vibe of your place. So be sure to upload high-quality photos and videos of your location.

Try to show footage of people dining there and having a good time. People want to know what your food is like, so use your photos and videos to give them an idea!

Of course, you should also post mouth-watering photos of the food you serve. You can also post short videos of your chefs creating food.

Step 4. Write a company description

Google My Business recently reintroduced business descriptions as part of its platform. These 750-character descriptions allow business owners to explain what their company does in their own words.

This addition is especially good news for restaurant owners because it gives them the opportunity to explain what makes their restaurant different from others.

For best results, keep your business description simple and honest. Tell your company's story and explain why your food products are superior to your competitors'. Try working with keywords and phrases. For example, if your Chinese restaurant specializes in fast delivery, try using the phrase "Fast Delivery Chinese Restaurant." 

Above all, be sure to include only the most important information in your business description. Remember that you only have 750 characters - and only the first 250 of them will appear in search results! 

Step 5: Add your menu 

As we mentioned earlier, you can include a link to your restaurant's menu in the GMB information section. But beyond that, you can also add your menu directly to your Google My Business listing! The benefit of this is that people will be able to view your full menu right in the mobile search results. 

Step 6: Keep your customers updated with messages

Once you've fully completed your GMB profile, don't let it sit and rot! Instead, use the Messages feature to keep people updated on what's happening at your restaurant.

Messages are status updates that your restaurant can send out. They will appear in Google search results along with the rest of the information in your listing.

To create a message, simply click the "Messages" tab in GMB and then click "Write a message." You'll be able to write a description of up to 300 words, add a photo or video, and add a button, which can include a link to another page along with a call to action. 

To stay relevant, your company should send at least one message per week. Posts can be about anything from special events to limited-time discounts to fun behind-the-scenes looks at your restaurant. Don't be afraid to get creative and give people a good idea of your restaurant!