Online reputation management for restaurants is crucial and can make the difference between creating a franchise and going out of business in a few years. As such, Restaurant Reputation Management is more important than ever
Word of mouth, as well as traditional marketing methods, are slowly fading into our rearview mirror as the emergence of online reputation management for restaurants works to showcase you in a positive light throughout the entire internet.
In this article, we will cover why having a positive online reputation is important to becoming successful and what tips and tools your managers can start implementing today to get you started off on the right foot.
From search engine results to review websites, 65% of adults trust online reviews more than a personal recommendation from a close friend or a family member in 2023.
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Why Online Reputation Management for Restaurants Matter
Because Google is talking… and your customers are listening.
In 2023 it is becoming essential for restaurant owners to maintain their online presence now more than ever.
With the emergence of online review sites such as OpenTable and even Google, having a poor star rating could be costing you thousands of dollars in revenue each and every month.
Seeing as customers are beginning to trust reviews online more than a personal recommendation, it can be scary when you receive a negative review.
Where do you turn to for help dealing with negative reviews online?
Thankfully our experts have the answer to your problem, and it is online reputation management for restaurants.
For years word-of-mouth marketing would have sufficed however as we previously stated individuals are now “Googling” where to eat lunch or dinner.
Most of the time these people will bypass any options with anything less than a 4-star rating. That is why restaurant reputation management is so important.
Start by routinely monitoring your restaurant’s web presence through Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Google is the primary search engine used by most individuals nowadays however it is important that you cover all of your bases.
Sign up and track your business online by using tools such as Google Alerts. This simple tool allows you to track certain keywords (such as the name of your restaurant and/or the restaurant owner’s name).
This way, you will receive an immediate email notification the moment a new review is left online. Furthermore, you will be alerted if the name of your restaurant is mentioned in a news article or a social media post!
The internet is home to various tools and it is important that restaurant owners learn and use these on a daily/weekly basis to maximize the marketing efforts of their establishment.
Start by creating an online reputation management plan for your restaurant that protects your brand and puts your eatery in the spotlight.
The Importance of Star Ratings in Online Reviews
There is great power behind online reviews in 2019. It is vital that as a restaurant owner that you are aware of the changes in consumer trends that are happening online and in your local area.
To put this into perspective here are some fascinating statistics on the power of online reviews in 2019:
- 90% of adults read online reviews before visiting a business or restaurant.
- 90% of consumers also read less than 10 reviews before making their decision.
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- This is why it is imperative to consistently work on generating more positive reviews on a daily basis (this can be done via surveys and discounts on meals).
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- Online reviews have a 68% impact on a customer’s purchasing decision.
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- One negative review can lose you a customer for good.
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- 74% of individuals in the United States say a positive review from a past customer makes them trust that establishment even more.
- 80% of potential customers will change their mind about making a purchase and eating at a specific restaurant after finding one negative online review.
Responding to Online Reviews
Customer reviews are gold. So make sure you are actively responding to all customer feedback on as many review platform as you possibly can.
Whether the review was positive or negative you should reply. So this way, you have a chance at creating a loyal customer if you handle your rebuttal(s) properly.
What your past customers posted online has a significant impact on the future success of your business. Positive online reviews make the business world go round and ensuring a positive presence on various review websites is a great start.
If you have not yet created various business listing to manage your restaurant’s online reputation, now is the time to do so.
Top 10 Restaurant Reputation Management Sites
Here are the top 10 review sites potential restaurants goers tend to search online:
- Eat24 (a subsidiary of GrubHub – a food delivery service)
- OpenTable
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Gayot
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Zagat
- Zomato (formerly known as UrbanSpoon)
- MenuPages
- Google My Business (this typically appears on the right-hand margin on Google)
- Facebook Reviews/Recommendations
- TripAdvisor (this is especially important if your restaurant is in a vacation destination)
Therefore, we recommend creating a business profile on each of the review sites listed above. This will help maximize the exposure of your past customer experiences for others to see as a staple of restaurant reputation management.
How Can NetReputation Help Your Restaurant Grow?
First, we have over a decade of experience working with local small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) such as restaurants.
NetReputation’s efforts include optimizing your current online reputation through the following methods:
- Website Audit
- Search engine optimization (improve where your website ranks on Google)
- On-page SEO
- Content Creation (make your website more user-friendly and visually attractive)
- Social Media Management (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and much more)
- Generation of Online Customer Reviews
- Press Releases (published on highly-authoritative websites)
Contact Us Today To Learn More About Restaurant Reputation Management
Furthermore, if you are looking to grow your restaurant or simply improve your current online reputation, we can help.
With over 1,500 satisfied clients, we have learned the most tried and true online reputation management for restaurants methods available. We help control bad reviews and generate a more positive presence for your local eatery.
Lastly, please fill out the form below. One of our reputation analysts will reach out to you as soon as possible. Please add any specific requests so we can get a clear idea of what you are looking for.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
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by Net Reputation