Guides / Marketing
How to get more customers to your restaurant
QUICK ANSWER
Start where guests decide: your Google profile, reviews and menu. Make sure you show up and look current on Google Maps, reply to every review, and keep hours right. Then bring guests back with texts and email they opted into, and make ordering direct easy. These cost little and compound.
- Fix your Google profile first. It's where guests choose.
- Reply to every review and ask every guest for one.
- Post real dishes weekly.
- Text and email regulars who opted in.
- Make direct ordering easy, and keep the guest list.
First fixGoogle Business Profile
Cheapest winCorrect hours and menu
Best repeat driverOpted-in texts and email
AvoidPaying for reviews or followers
Get found (new guests)
- Complete your Google Business Profile: category, hours, menu, photos, attributes.
- Set holiday hours before every holiday.
- Reply to every review.
- Ask every guest for an honest review, a few hours after the visit.
- Post weekly about dishes people search for.
- Claim Apple Maps and Yelp and keep details identical.
Get chosen (convert lookers)
- Real photos of your best dishes, not stock images.
- A menu with prices that loads fast on a phone.
- An order button that goes to your own page.
- Clear fees and hours. Surprises cost reviews.
Bring them back (repeat guests)
- Collect phone numbers and emails with clear consent at checkout and online.
- Send a few useful messages a month: specials, new dishes, events.
- Reward referrals, not reviews.
- Follow the rules in our text and email marketing guide.
What usually isn't worth it
- Buying followers, reviews or likes. It breaks platform rules.
- Deep discount coupon sites that train guests to wait for deals.
- Anyone guaranteeing a #1 Google ranking.
Questions owners ask
What is the fastest way to get more restaurant customers?
Fix your Google profile: correct hours, real photos, a menu link and replies to reviews.
Does social media bring restaurant customers?
It helps guests see your food and stay in touch, especially Instagram. It works best alongside a strong Google profile.
Should I offer discounts to new customers?
Small, targeted offers can work. Avoid deep, ongoing discounts that lower what guests expect to pay.
How do I get repeat customers?
Collect contacts with consent and send a few useful messages a month.
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