Restaurant Marketing.
The Complete Guide.
In this comprehensive guide, we have presented a variety of marketing channels that restaurants can use to their advantage. We have grouped these ideas into two categories: digital marketing and traditional marketing. Our objective is to support your restaurant in extending its reach and enticing more customers.
If you aspire to elevate your restaurant’s profile, we welcome you to reach out to us for a consultation. Our team will work together with you to create tailor-made solutions that align with your business goals.
Restaurant Digital Marketing
In order to remain competitive and expand your business, it is imperative for restaurants to engage in digital marketing. Creating an online presence allows you to showcase your menu offerings, attract new customers, and establish your restaurant as a leader in the industry. An effective digital marketing strategy goes beyond simply having a well-designed website; it also involves leveraging various online platforms such as social media, informative blogs, accurate directory listings, reputation management, search engine optimization, and advertising. By utilizing these tools and focusing your marketing efforts, you can attract and retain customers for your restaurant.
Digital Marketing for Restaurants
Digital marketing offers the added advantage of better tracking and measurement of your restaurant’s marketing efforts. By using tools such as Google Analytics, you can monitor website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates to gain valuable insights into what works and what needs improvement. The data collected can help you make informed decisions to optimize your marketing efforts, shape future strategies, and continue to improve your online presence. By regularly analyzing and adjusting your digital marketing plan, you can attract a wider customer base and enhance your restaurant’s brand.
Effort Gauge
Restaurant Website Design
Acquiring New Clients
Very Effective
Doing It Yourself
Extremely Difficult
Regular Cost
$3,500+ (custom)
Restaurant Website Development
WHY WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT IS IMPORTANT
of visitors hesitate to trust your business if your website is not high-quality.
of users are less likely to return to a website after a bad experience.
of users are more likely to make a purchase from a mobile-friendly website.
Your website is your digital business card.
A professional and user-friendly website is critical for any restaurant business as it is often the first point of contact for potential customers. A well-designed website should have an attractive aesthetic that effectively conveys your restaurant’s offerings and benefits while being user-friendly and easy to navigate. It should be crafted to engage visitors and convert them into actual customers.
An effective website should showcase your restaurant’s menu offerings, experienced team, and the atmosphere of your establishment. Moreover, it should be fully responsive and compatible with different devices, ensuring that potential customers can easily access the information they need and make reservations without any difficulty.
It’s crucial to partner with a digital marketing agency that specializes in restaurant website design. At Prospekt Digital, we have extensive experience in developing high-converting websites for restaurants. Our team employs specific design elements, such as mouth-watering images, virtual tours, and informative blogs, to encourage potential customers to make reservations. We will ensure that your website accurately represents your brand and effectively communicates the benefits of dining at your establishment.
Key components for a restaurants website:
- Valuable Information
- Engaging Aesthetics
- Clear Brand Image
- Mobile Friendly
- Optimized For High-Conversions
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Restaurant Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Acquiring New Clients
Very Effective
Doing It Yourself
Extremely Difficult
Regular Cost
$1,000+/month
Restaurant SEO
WHY SEO IS IMPORTANT
of all Google searchers click websites that are on the first page.
of online experiences begin with a search engine.
of website traffic comes directly from organic search.
The art of optimizing your online presence.
Increasing the online visibility of your restaurant is crucial, and search engine optimization (SEO) can help you achieve this objective. SEO aims to enhance the relevance and authority of your website to search engines like Google, which can attract more visitors to your site. By optimizing your website’s content and structure for specific keywords and phrases, you increase your chances of ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs) when potential customers search for restaurants in your area.
Effective SEO for restaurants involves a range of tactics, including conducting thorough keyword research, optimizing your website’s content and structure, building high-quality backlinks, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices. SEO is an ongoing process as search engine algorithms continually evolve, and competitors are always working to improve their SEO strategies.
At Prospekt Digital, we offer customized SEO solutions tailored to your restaurant’s business objectives, ensuring that your website ranks high in search results and attracts more potential customers. Our team of experts stays up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices to enhance your online visibility, ultimately leading to more customer leads and conversions.
5 Key strategies to restaurant SEO success:
- Content Building
- Link Generating
- Website Structure Organization
- Key-Word Research
- Website Optimization
Effort Gauge
Restaurant Local Search
Acquiring New Clients
Very Effective
Doing It Yourself
Difficult and Tedious
Regular Cost
$250+/month
Local Directories For Restaurants
WHY LOCAL SEARCH IS IMPORTANT
of Google users who perform a local search will visit a businesses within 5 miles of their location.
of all Google searches are seeking local information.
of local mobile searches result in a store visit within one day.
The digital compass which points to your website.
Maintaining accuracy and consistency in online directory listings is crucial for restaurants to enhance their online presence. With numerous directories available on the web, ensuring that the information listed is correct and up-to-date is critical. Inconsistencies can confuse search engines and impact the restaurant’s online credibility.
Maintaining consistent NAP+ information, including the restaurant’s name, address, phone number, and other essential details, across all directories is crucial. This practice helps to build trust with potential customers and increases traffic to the restaurant’s website. It also plays a crucial role in the restaurant’s SEO marketing strategy.
Having accurate and consistent listings across various directories can help search engines understand the restaurant’s location and offerings, leading to higher search engine rankings and increased visibility. At Prospekt Digital, our team of experts helps restaurants verify and maintain their directory listings to ensure that they stand out in the crowded digital space and attract more customer leads.
NAP+ information must be accurate and consistent:
- Business Name
- Business Address
- Business Phone
- Business Services
- Business Hours
- Business Photos
- Links To Website
Effort Gauge
Restaurant Social Media Marketing (SMM)
Acquiring New Clients
Very Effective
Doing It Yourself
Time-Consuming
Regular Cost
Free - $1,000+/month
Restaurant SMM
WHY SMM IS IMPORTANT
of users are directly influenced by a brand's social media.
of social media users use social media to research products.
of consumers who have had a positive experience with a brand on social media are likely to recommend the brand.
The virtual megaphone that amplifies your brand.
Having a strong social media presence is vital for restaurants to attract and retain customers, as social media is a critical channel for potential customers to discover and research dining options. By showcasing your restaurant’s menu offerings and highlighting your dining experience on social media, you can increase brand awareness and drive new business.
However, managing multiple social media profiles can be a challenging task, especially for busy restaurants that prioritize providing high-quality customer service. In addition to consistent posting and engagement, it’s essential to use social media to connect with customers and build relationships. Responding to comments and direct messages promptly and authentically can help create a loyal and engaged following.
At Prospekt Digital, we offer a comprehensive social media management service that relieves the burden of consistent posting and engagement from your team’s shoulders. With our expertise, your restaurant’s social media profiles remain active, engaging, and up-to-date without requiring a significant investment of time and resources from your team. Our team of social media experts creates custom social media plans tailored to your restaurant’s unique needs and goals.
We craft engaging content that resonates with your target audience, including high-quality images, videos, and informative posts that highlight your menu offerings and dining experience. With our help, your restaurant can build a strong online presence, attract new customers, and establish your business as a leading provider of dining options in your area.
Social Media Marketing requirements:
- Staying consistent
- Engage with potential and current clients
- Researching your target audience
- Developing and maintaining a clear brand image
- Frequent posting every week
- Attractive and informating content
Effort Gauge
Restaurant Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Acquiring New Clients
Very Effective
Doing It Yourself
Extremely Difficult
Regular Cost
$1,000+/month
Google PPC Ads For Restaurants
WHY GOOGLE PPC (SEM) IS IMPORTANT
of search engine users say finding relevant information is easier with paid ads.
of people click on Google Ads when they are looking to buy an item online.
of the clicks on a Google page are on the top 3 paid advertising spots.
The high-speed elevator to the top of search results.
In today’s digital age, restaurants must be proactive in their marketing efforts to stand out from the competition. Paid search advertising is an excellent way to boost the online presence of a restaurant and attract new customers. By utilizing Google’s Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising, restaurants can increase their visibility and capture clicks from individuals searching for relevant terms. Prospekt Digital can help restaurants create successful PPC campaigns that generate high-quality leads and maximize return on investment.
Creating and managing effective PPC campaigns requires a thorough understanding of search engine marketing principles and expertise. Our team of experts conducts comprehensive research on the target audience, competition, and market trends to develop ads that appeal to potential customers. By targeting specific demographics and keywords, the PPC ads will attract clicks from individuals who are most interested in the restaurant’s offerings.
We work closely with restaurants to ensure that the PPC campaign aligns with their specific business goals and provides measurable results. Our team monitors the performance of the ads and makes adjustments as necessary to maximize the return on investment. By partnering with Prospekt Digital, restaurants can create targeted and effective PPC campaigns that attract new customers and increase revenue.
A high Ad Quality Score determines an ads visibility and cost:
- Ad and keyword relevance
- Landing page experience
- Expected click-through rate (CTR)
- Ad format
- Historical ad performance
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Restaurant Facebook & Instagram Ads
Acquiring New Clients
Very Effective
Doing It Yourself
Extremely Difficult
Regular Cost
$1,000+/month
Facebook & Instagram Ads For Restaurants
WHY META ADVERTISING IS IMPORTANT
of Facebook users visit the site daily, and 51% visit multiple times per day.
of Instagram users discover new products through the app.
of Instagram users have visited a website to make a purchase after seeing a product or service on the platform.
The virtual racecar that drives traffic to your website.
Restaurants can leverage Facebook and Instagram advertising to promote their menu offerings and reach potential customers effectively. These social media platforms have billions of active users, offering unparalleled opportunities to build brand awareness and attract leads.
At Prospekt Digital, we begin by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the restaurant’s target audience and competition. Based on this information, we create highly-targeted ads that appeal to potential customers. By utilizing advanced technology and tools, we develop and manage visually appealing Facebook and Instagram ads that highlight the benefits of the restaurant’s dining experience.
Our team uses multimedia content like images, videos, and other visually engaging elements to showcase the restaurant’s menu offerings. We also tailor ad messaging and copy to appeal directly to potential customers, emphasizing the restaurant’s unique selling points and advantages.
We continuously analyze and optimize the ads to maximize return on investment and effectiveness, ensuring that the restaurant’s message reaches the right audience. With our comprehensive Facebook and Instagram advertising solutions, restaurants can build brand awareness and attract high-quality leads while maximizing ROI.
Successful Facebook and Instagram ad requirements:
- Clear campaign objective
- Targeted audience
- Compelling ad copy and creative
- Relevant, high-quality landing page
- A/B testing and optimization
- Ad budget management
Effort Gauge
Restaurant TikTok Ads & User-Generated Content (UGC)
Acquiring New Clients
Very Effective
Doing It Yourself
Extremely Difficult
Regular Cost
$1,000+/month
TikTok Advertisements & UGC For Restaurants
WHY TIKTOK ADS AND UGC IS IMPORTANT
of TikTok users have discovered a new product or service on the platform.
increase in ad recall and a 100% increase in click-through rate (CTR) when incorporating UGC into TikTok Ads.
of consumers say that UGC influences their purchasing decisions. 71% of consumers say that UGC makes them feel more connected to a brand.
The dynamic duo with a goal to boost your brand.
Restaurants can leverage the immense potential of TikTok advertising and user-generated content (UGC) to reach younger audiences, create viral content, and increase brand awareness. With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok offers a unique opportunity for restaurants to showcase their menu offerings and tap into a wider audience.
Our team at Prospekt Digital specializes in creating and managing TikTok Ads campaigns and developing strategies for generating and promoting UGC. We’ll work with your restaurant to create visually stunning videos that highlight your unique menu offerings and promote them to specific demographics, interests, and behaviors. By encouraging customers and influencers to create and share their own videos showcasing their dining experiences and the benefits of your restaurant, we can build trust and create social proof for your brand.
With our help, your restaurant can harness the power of TikTok to create engaging and creative content, increase visibility, and generate interest in your business. By leveraging TikTok’s potential, you can reach a wider audience and establish your restaurant as a leading provider of dining options in your area.
Effective TikTok ad campaign requirements:
- Clear campaign objectives
- Engaging ad creatives
- Targeted audience
- Trend-focused
- Influencer partnerships
- Measurable goals
- Regular optimization
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Offline Restaurant Advertising Methods
Acquiring New Clients
Minimally Effective
Doing It Yourself
Difficult & Expensive
Regular Cost
$300 - $50,000/month
Traditional Restaurant Advertising Methods
MINIMUM COST:
- Transit Ads (Bus/Stops Interior or Exterior: $500+/month
- Local TV Ads: $500+ for 30 second ads
- Local Radio Ads: $2,000+ per month
- Billboard Ads: $1,000+ per month
- Local Newspaper Ads: $1,000+ for quarter page
- Direct Mail: $300+ for 1,000 post cards
Old-school methods that captivate audiences.
With the rise of technology, traditional marketing methods such as television, radio, and billboards have become less efficient in reaching potential customers for restaurants. These channels target people when they are not online, making it difficult to reach the right audience. Additionally, traditional advertising methods can be costly and challenging to measure their effectiveness.
At Prospekt Digital, we understand the significance of digital marketing for restaurants and offer various solutions to reach the target audience effectively. Our digital marketing campaigns include paid search ads, social media ads, and email marketing. Paid search ads are an affordable option as businesses only pay when users click on their ads, allowing them to attract new customers and generate leads without exceeding their budget.
While traditional advertising can still have its advantages, it is crucial to monitor its effectiveness and return on investment to ensure it is a cost-effective marketing strategy.
Traditional marketing is on the decline.
As the world becomes more digital, traditional marketing channels such as TV, radio, and print are losing their effectiveness in promoting restaurants. To stay competitive, restaurants need to prioritize digital marketing to increase brand awareness, attract more leads, and ultimately drive revenue growth. Digital marketing channels such as social media, email marketing, and paid search ads can help restaurants effectively reach their target audience and gain a competitive advantage.
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Restaurant Email Marketing
Acquiring New Clients
Rarely Effective
Doing It Yourself
Fairly Easy
Regular Cost
Free - $1,500/month
Email Marketing
For Restaurants
WHY EMAIL MARKETING IS IMPORTANT
of consumers say that marketing emails influence their purchase decisions.
Personalized campaigns that keep you top of mind.
Email marketing is a fundamental aspect of any restaurant’s digital marketing strategy. It is a cost-effective way to keep existing customers informed of new menu items, promotions, and upcoming events, while also generating new leads through referral programs.
To ensure effective email marketing, it is important to maintain a comprehensive database of customer email addresses. Your website’s forms should be connected to your email marketing software to automatically add new customer email addresses to your database.
A monthly email newsletter is recommended to keep current customers engaged and informed. The newsletter should include useful information about new menu items, promotions, and restaurant-related advice. Additionally, implementing a referral program can be an effective way to reward customers who refer new customers to your restaurant, ultimately leading to an increase in your customer base.
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Restaurant Blogging
Acquiring New Clients
Very Effective
Doing It Yourself
Time-Consuming
Regular Cost
Free - $1,000+/month
Blogging For Restaurants
WHY BLOGGING IS IMPORTANT
more website visitors for businesses that prioritze blogs than those who don't.
Inject a dose of personality and expertise into your website.
Writing blog posts can be a beneficial strategy for a restaurant to increase its online visibility and attract potential customers. By providing informative content related to the restaurant’s menu, trust can be built with the target audience, and the restaurant can be established as an expert in the industry. Blogging can also improve the restaurant’s search engine optimization as search engines tend to favor websites that regularly publish new and relevant content.
To keep the restaurant’s website updated, it is important to post blogs consistently. Ideally, at least one blog post should be published each month, focusing on a specific dish or menu item provided by the restaurant. Each blog post should offer comprehensive information and helpful tips relevant to the target audience. Sharing the blog posts on social media pages and through email marketing campaigns can increase the restaurant’s reach and engagement.
Generating high-quality blog content regularly can be challenging for busy restaurants. To tackle this issue, many businesses choose to outsource their blogging tasks to digital agencies or freelance writers. This ensures that the blog posts are well-written, informative, and engaging without taking up too much of the staff’s time. By outsourcing blog writing, the restaurant can focus on providing excellent customer service and growing its business.
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Restaurant Business Partnerships
Acquiring New Clients
Fairly Effective
Doing It Yourself
Easy
Regular Cost
Free
Restaurant Business Partnerships
WHY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT
increase in revenue growth for businesses that have successful partnerships.
Two is better than one. Join forces to elevate your brands.
Collaborating with other businesses is an effective strategy for restaurants looking to increase visibility and revenue. By teaming up with complementary businesses, restaurants can leverage each other’s expertise, resources, and networks to expand their offerings and reach a wider audience.
One effective way for restaurants to collaborate with other businesses is by partnering with local media outlets. This can involve writing articles or appearing on TV shows to showcase their cuisine and establish themselves as culinary experts. Hosting contests, giveaways, and events on social media in partnership with other businesses can also be an effective way to build relationships with customers and generate buzz around new dishes or menu items.
To ensure a successful partnership, it’s important to choose partners that share similar values and are committed to success. Clear communication and defined expectations are crucial to ensure that both parties benefit. By partnering with reputable businesses and maintaining a collaborative relationship, restaurants can increase customer traffic, boost revenue, and enhance their brand image.
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Restaurant Referral Strategies
Acquiring New Clients
Very Effective
Doing It Yourself
Difficult
Regular Cost
Free
Restaurant Referral Strategies
WHY REFERRAL STRATEGIES ARE IMPORTANT
of new business comes from referrals. Referred customers are 18% more likely to stay with a business long-term.
Incentivize loyal customers to become brand ambassadors.
Referrals are a valuable marketing strategy for restaurants to attract new customers who trust the recommendation of someone they know. A structured referral program can help to increase business and retain loyal customers. Incentives, such as discounts or free meals, can encourage current customers to refer their friends and family to the restaurant.
To have a successful referral program, it is important to establish a clear process for both customers and staff. Staff can play a significant role in generating referrals by utilizing their relationships with customers. Encouraging staff to participate in the referral program can motivate them to become brand advocates and increase financial incentives for referring customers.
The referral program should be simple and easy to understand, with clear guidelines for incentives, a straightforward referral process, and smooth reward redemption. A well-executed referral program can spread the word about the restaurant, increase customer loyalty, and lead to sustained growth and revenue.
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Restaurant Open Houses & Events
Acquiring New Clients
Fairly Effective
Doing It Yourself
Time-Consuming
Typical Cost
$500+/event
Restaurant Open Houses & Events
WHY OPEN HOUSES & EVENTS ARE IMPORTANT
of consumers have a more positive opinion of a brand after attending an event.
Create unforgettable brand experiences for your customers.
Organizing an open house event is a great way for restaurants to showcase their cuisine and values and attract new customers. It’s an opportunity to introduce potential customers to the restaurant, demonstrate its ambiance and menu, and connect with the local community. The event can be tailored to the target audience to ensure its success.
Events can be organized to attract customers interested in a specific cuisine or dining experience. By offering activities, entertainment, and tours of the restaurant, an open house event can be more engaging and enjoyable for attendees.
Hosting open house events regularly, at least once a year, is essential to maintaining customer engagement and loyalty. These events must be informative, fun, and engaging. By evaluating feedback from past events, restaurants can identify areas for improvement and make each event even better. A successful open house event can help attract new customers and build a loyal customer base for the restaurant.
More connections with less time and effort.
Learn how Digital Marketing helps your resturant connect with more current and prospective clients and keep them engaged with your brand. It's easier and more affordable than ever!