As a small, independent restaurant owner, bringing in new customers is essential for growing your business. With some strategic planning and a few low-budget tactics, you can attract more diners to your restaurant in 2024. Here are 25 proven and practical tips to help boost your revenue by reaching new customers this year.
Optimize Your Online Presence
In 2024, most diners will search for restaurants online before choosing where to eat. Ensuring your online presence is up-to-date and optimized for search engines is one of the most effective ways to connect with potential new customers.
1. Update your Google My Business listing. This helps your restaurant show up in Google Maps and search. Fill out all sections, add plenty of photos, encourage customer reviews, and keep info like hours accurate.
2. Build positive online reviews. Sites like Yelp, Facebook, and Google allow customers to leave reviews. Respond professionally to feedback and encourage diners to leave reviews on these sites.
3. Create an eye-catching website. Your website is often the first impression you make. Ensure yours is mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and portrays your brand well.
4. Utilize organic SEO strategies. Use keywords, meta descriptions, alt text on images, and quality content to improve your search engine rankings so more locals find your website.
5. Claim online listings. Manage and optimize your NAP (name, address, phone number) details on sites like TripAdvisor, Zomato, and others where people discover restaurants.
Harness the Power of Social Media
Promoting your restaurant through social platforms is an affordable way to reach new audiences. Develop social media marketing skills or delegate this task to an employee savvy with different platforms.
6. Post appetizing photos and videos. Images and video featuring your food, drinks, and ambiance will grab attention on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other visual platforms.
7. Interact and engage with followers. Respond to comments, ask questions, and develop relationships with potential customers online by being personal and approachable.
8. Utilize hashtags. Research and use popular local hashtags so nearby users can easily discover your content. #YourCity #YourNeighborhood #Foodie are examples.
9. Run social media contests and giveaways. Offering prizes like gift cards or free meals in exchange for follows, shares, and mentions will help you gain new followers.
10. Advertise on social media. Consider small ad campaigns on platforms like Facebook or Instagram to get more local eyeballs on your content. Target by interests and location.
Improve the Customer Experience
Providing an excellent dining experience will turn first-time visitors into loyal regulars. Evaluate your customer service standards and make improvements where needed.
11. Train staff to give exceptional service. Hire friendly staff and train them to give top-notch customer service. This will get talked about and recommended online.
12. Offer tableside ordering on tablets. Solutions like Tapless Menu allow guests to view menus, order, pay, and more right from their table. This provides a better experience than traditional paper menus.
13. Send emails to thank guests. Gather email addresses to follow up with thank you notes, feedback surveys, and special offers that will delight first-time diners.
14. Listen and gather customer feedback. Ask for reviews and suggestions in-person and online. Use feedback to improve any pain points.
15. Stay updated on industry trends. Keep up with what’s new and popular in the restaurant world. Use this intel to make your concept appealing to the target demographic.
Get Creative with Promotions
Special deals and discounts will incentivize new guests to give your spot a try. Promote these offers online and within your community.
16. Offer time-based discounts. Happy hour, late-night, Monday night, Sunday brunch – whatever your slowest times are, offer discounts to draw in diners.
17. Partner with other local businesses. Cross-promote with nearby shops and hotels offering discounts when customers show the other business’ receipt or card.
18. Send direct mail coupons. Working with a direct mail service, send coupons to local households to motivate them to redeem the deal.
19. Run grand opening and anniversary specials. Heavily promote your restaurant when first opening and celebrate yearly anniversaries with special menus, contests, and deals.
20. Offer secret discounts for social followers. Provide special unadvertised discounts only for your Facebook fans or email subscribers to incentivize following.
Engage with the Local Community
Connecting with residents, organizations, and nonprofits in your area can organically spread the word about your restaurant to new networks.
21. Sponsor local teams and events. Sponsor a youth sports team and offer players’ families a discount. Have a presence at community events to meet potential diners.
22. Partner with neighboring businesses. Offer combined packages with nearby spas, shops, hotels, etc. and cross-promote.
23. Give back via fundraisers. Hosting fundraising nights benefiting local causes raises your community profile and draws in supporters.
24. Ask residents for reviews. Mail or hand out postcards to nearby households asking them to review your restaurant after dining. They likely have networks unknown to you.
25. Network locally. Introduce yourself and get to know other business owners. Word-of-mouth referrals are powerful.
Implement Digital Menu Technology
Finally, solutions like Tapless Menu can enhance your customer experience while providing valuable data and efficiency.
Tapless Menu requires no app downloads. Guests simply scan a QR code on their own mobile device to view your menu, order, pay, and more. This offers a safer, more convenient alternative to traditional menus.
For owners, Tapless Menu means no expensive equipment to purchase, no fees or commissions. You gain access to powerful data and analytics on menu performance while saving on paper menu costs. With easy menu editing, you can update options, prices, and availability in real time.
As a small restaurant, every customer matters. Following these creative tips will help you stand out, reach new audiences in your community, and keep guests coming back in 2024. Don’t miss out on leveraging free digital tools like Tapless Menu to modernize and enhance the customer journey. With some smart strategy and hustle, you’ll see your hard work rewarded this year.