The restaurant business has always been competitive, and filling your establishment with happy, hungry customers was never an easy task. But now that challenge is harder than ever with the impact of the pandemic. Instead of wallowing, though, use this time to reset and refresh, taking stock of your current marketing strategy and seeing how it can be improved.
To bring back old customers and gain new ones, we all need to start thinking a little differently about marketing. If you want to take a new approach, here are a few tips to try out.
1. Focus on Local SEO
Most restaurants rely on a loyal, local customer base. If you’ve noticed your tables aren’t as full as usual, it might be time to start focusing again on your potential customers nearby rather than looking further afield.
Good SEO like SEO Manchester | Candy UK uses a variety of targeted techniques to maximize your exposure online and ensure your brand is always in the right place at the right time. Click here for a reputable marketing services like Up digital that can help get you top SEO links so that your business can rank higher on Google.
You may also try out some local SEO techniques from indexsy if you’re not already to target local searches. You may also want to consider reading this Outrank SEO book by Damon Burton here to learn more!
Here are some local SEO tips you could start implementing:
- Create a Google My Business account and fill in all the information correctly
- Encourage customer reviews
- Include local keywords on your website copy and blogs
- Optimize long-tail keywords for voice search
- Create content based on local events or news
By having the best SEO company in Manchester focusing on the online presence you have in your local area, you could quickly win over the loyalty of your neighbours. Those that live near you are more likely to come back soon, so they’re a key market to target.
2. Try Using AdWords and PPC
If you haven’t tried marketing your restaurant website with AdWords, now is the time! With 25% of clicks going to the first search result on Google, the second getting 15%, and the third around 11%, you really want to be up there with those top results. But, that isn’t always easy to do, and if you need new customers fast you probably don’t have the time. AdWords provides a solution to get around that problem.
Instead of conducting organic SEO, you can simply pay to be put at the top of Google’s search results. For every person who clicks onto your website you pay a fee, but if you win over their custom that’s well worth it. But, you have to do pay per click (PPC) ads properly. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, call in the help of professionals to make sure you get it right and don’t waste your money. You can also start marketing through email to create brand awareness, increase customer loyalty, and generate sales. Click here to find email addresses.
3. Offer Loyalty Rewards
To keep customers coming back time and time again, you often need to offer more than just delicious food. This is where loyalty rewards come in. By offering a nice treat for returning customers, you entice them to visit again, spending their money at your restaurant instead of a competitors. This could be as simple as a free glass of wine for returning diners, or you could create reward cards. Customers can gain a stamp on their card every time they eat with you and, for example, after the 10th stamp they get 50% off their main course or a free dessert.
4. Put on Signature Events
Another way to encourage guests to dine at your restaurant is by putting on events. Diners can’t resist the appeal of a live band, themed food night, or all you can eat starters! The aim is to add more value to what you’re offering, giving something extra special to those who chose to dine with you. Of course, make sure what you offer fits your brand identity and appeals to your target market.
Marketing is never about getting it right with the first technique you try, so give a couple of different options a go. You can then analyse their success and see which techniques are resonating the best with your customers and which you might have to ditch. Once you know what works and what doesn’t, you can create a winning marketing strategy to survive the pandemic.
