Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and rules surrounding the reopening of dining facilities, restaurants in Minnesota and around the nation are struggling to get noticed. Minnesota has some very specific regulations requiring how eateries can reopen, and this has certified food managers scratching their heads figuring out how to alert their guests that they are open and may require reservations for sit-down service. Given current circumstances, increasing your web presence is very important for certified food managers to let patrons know how to contact your restaurant.
Online Resources Available to Certified Food Managers to Reach Restaurant Diners
Under current rules walk-in service is not allowed, so customers must contact restaurants to make reservations to dine-in or request pickup, and most potential guests will find their restaurant of choice’s contact details via the internet. The most common ways diners find contact info include:
- Google search
- Map search for “restaurants near me”
- Reservation or delivery apps
When people want to find something on the internet, most computer and smart phone users turn to Google. Did you ever wonder why some local businesses rank higher in the search results than others? The reason is that those businesses have an active and updated Google My Business listing. Signing up for a Google My Business listing not only gives your restaurant a chance to be seen when local customers search for dining in their area, it also quickly supplies all the necessary contact information in one place. Google My Business also comes with the added bonus of placing a marker for your location on Google Maps. This makes your restaurant visible when potential guests virtually browse the area virtually.
It may be wise for certified food managers to consider an Apple Maps Connect listing for your establishment to increase your restaurant’s on-line presence as well. It’s very similar to a Google My Business listing in the respect that iPhone users can access your information via the Apple Maps app.
Delivery and pickup has become the most common way customers order from restaurants. Associating your establishment with a delivery app is a must during these times. Some commonly used delivery and ordering apps include:
- Grubhub
- Postmates
- DoorDash
- UberEats
All of these apps have different registration procedures and benefits, so a little research may be necessary to figure out which ones best suit your needs. Many customers are ordering takeout via an app, so it’s best not to neglect them.
How are you reaching your customers these days and what hints can you give to other certified food managers on how to increase their restaurant’s web presence?
