How Digital Marketing Can Bring Traffic to Your Restaurant Business
Food service is definitely a growing industry, and WELS GLOBAL is growing right alongside it with a plethora of digital marketing services that will bring traffic to restaurants in a number of ways – from increasing return-on-investment (ROI) to taking restaurants to the next level with multiple review platforms, reservation apps, social media on responsive websites and more. If you are a new restaurateur and have heard that digital marketing can bring traffic to your restaurant business, you’ve stumbled upon the right blog.
Your restaurant may boast the most captivating location imaginable, and yet because you can’t be found online, prospective customers may never come visit. Sounds like a frightening prospect, doesn’t it? The solution has everything to do with the search process – and we’re going to explain what that entails.
Do you remember a time when looking up details regarding local restaurants (or bars or even clubs) involved using a big, bulky phone book? Those days are long gone, with the Internet being responsible for changing all that with a way for people to search out information on just about anything. Into this mix has come the fact that people are also no longer just after a phone number or address; they want to know everything about that restaurant – hours of operation, menu selections, wine lists, chefs, reviews, recommendations, ways to book a reservation via an app and, of course, images of the décor and dishes they can view.
What You’re Missing Without an Online Presence
If you aren’t in the “digital know” with regard to your restaurant business, chances are your competitors are ranking higher than you in online searches – and you need to change that. If your prospective customer is desperately looking to find you in the physical world and you aren’t there in the digital world, it goes without saying that you’re going to be losing business in 2017 and beyond.
With a digital marketing campaign, you will:
- Get Googled
- Socialize
- Review the Reviewers
- Win With a Website
- Lock Into Campaigns
Where WELS GLOBAL Comes In
As a full-service marketing entity serving clients, WELS GLOBAL boasts the marketing horsepower to take your restaurant business to new heights. We accomplish this through a number of tactics, including:
1. Setting Up a Google Account
Aside from being the undisputed “Master of Search,” Google has a suite of products that help restaurateurs run their business online such as:
- Google Maps
- Google+
- YouTube
- Google Analytics
- Webmaster Tools
- AdWords
However, the most important of Google’s products for any restaurant is Google Business, as it connects you directly with customers, whether they’re looking for you on Search, Maps or Google+. This is one of the first steps we take in digitally marketing a restaurant business.
You may also want to explore on Google Adwords for your ongoing offers and promotions, here are the top 10 reasons to use Google Adwords for your business.
2. Socializing
There’s no way around it – in 2017 and beyond, you need to ensure social media has a seat at the marketing table. Participation in social media is crucial, as it not only affords you an opportunity to connect and engage your customers, but can also greatly increase your search rankings. Unlike setting up Google Business, which may yield fast results, think of social media as a long-term digital marketing strategy. We suggest the following popular platforms for budding restaurateurs:
- Instagram – use InstaZood to grow your your Instagram faster than anyone else
- Google+
3. Monitoring Review Sites
It’s a good idea to keep a keen eye on review sites, as customers can gather information as well as post opinions regarding your restaurant; review sites and apps that are hot right now include:
- TripAdvisor
- Yelp
- Zomato
- Foursquare
By monitoring these sites, claiming listings where possible, taking note of reviews and keeping information updated, we can help you deal with a negative review in a professional manner.
4. Creating an Awesome Website
Unlike your social media channels, you actually own your website – so it should be considered the epicenter of your online marketing and include attractive images and exceptional content, in addition to being social-proof, search-optimized and mobile-responsive.
To get started, choose your domain here for free.
5. Growing Your Email List
Different platforms such as facebook, my space and twitter have risen and fallen in popularity ever since the advent of social media. However, one online method of contacting people that has remained quite consistent over the years is email. People use it for work, play and everything in between. One of the best ways to use your email to increase business for your restaurant is by using Constant Contact. With over 100 different customizable templates to choose from, this software tracks your progress in real time and delivers up-to=the-minutes updates about your analytics which lets you know the types of marketing strategies that work and the types that don’t. It’s a perfect way to help grow your business and success. See how Constant Contact can help you grow your email list here.
To find out more about WELS GLOBAL and our myriad of digital marketing services for the food service industry, click here.
