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Nick Brown • Jul 15, 2021
Restaurant Industry: 5 Tips for Having a Thriving Restaurant in a Post Pandemic Era
How Your Restaurant Can Survive a Post-Pandemic Economy
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a devastating public-health crisis affecting numerous industries across the world. However, it has particularly been a massive challenge for the restaurant industry — at no time in history have so many restaurants ceased operations. According to the National Restaurant Association, over 110,000 restaurants closed down permanently or temporarily last year in the United States.
Interestingly, a few eating and drinking establishments are thriving during this period. Eric Rivera, tech-savvy chef running Addo, has managed to double his staff and sales despite the pandemic. How is it possible to thrive when most restaurants might never reopen? Here are five tips for not only surviving but also thriving in the restaurant industry in a post-pandemic era.
Tips for Thriving in the Restaurant Industry During the Post-Pandemic Era
Ensure Your Website is Fully-Optimized and Mobile Responsive
Most restaurant owners make the mistake of thinking that their old website is enough in the modern era. For starters, most consumers will likely visit your website through their smartphones, and the regular websites don't provide proper access. In the last year, mobile usage has grown exponentially with more than 77% of Americans using their smartphones to conduct local restaurant searches.
When your website is not fully optimized and mobile responsive, potential customers will experience trouble in accessing important information — including the menu and address. The site could either be hard to view or difficult to navigate. Therefore, you risk losing clients at a time when every customer counts in safeguarding your bottom line.
Incorporate Online Ordering and Curbside Pickup/Delivery
Restaurants can only thrive in the post-pandemic era by embracing technology. The COVID-19 measures, such as social distancing, left diners with no choice but contactless ordering and payment. Full-service restaurants need to find a way to make their multi-course meals available for delivery.
Curbside pickup and/or delivery has become the new drive-thru for different types of restaurants — from fine dining to quick service. Customers can order and pay through websites or apps, make a quick stop, and take their dinner home. It gives restaurants a convenient, safe, and no-touch system that is hassle-free. You can get your Free
online ordering platform by clicking here.
Local, Regional, and National Online Directory Listings
Did you know that the best way to bring in consumers to your restaurant is through online platforms? Therefore, it is time to consider letting the customers find your restaurant by themselves. For it to happen, you have to ensure your restaurant is listed everywhere online — local, regional, as well as national online directories.
Every citation or directory could lead to new customers coming to your restaurant after a simple online search. Luckily, setting up a listing on online directories — including Zomato, Yelp, Yellow Pages, TripAdvisor, as well as Super Pages — is quick and easy. Ensure your restaurant is listed on every online directory you can find to attract more customers.
Establish Google My Business Account and Monitor Online Reviews
Google is responsible for 94% of all organic traffic on the internet, according to HubSpot. Therefore, your restaurant will only appear in local searches when you use Google My Business. It is a free tool that restaurants can use to manage and expand their online presence
across Google. Clients get to view your restaurant, check customer reviews, as well as determine your opening and closing hours.
However, you need to register your restaurant in Google My Business to get listed. Ensure all information is up-to-date and accurate to help you increase your brand prominence. It will also help to monitor reviews and determine what needs changes and what needs to remain the same.
Engage in Social Media Marketing
Driving traffic to your restaurant is crucial in the post-pandemic era. All your effort will go unnoticed, regardless of how appetizing your food is, without traffic. Having a robust social media presence will help get more consumers into your restaurant.
Start with the three social media profiles that matter
in the restaurant industry — Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Ensure you complete all details about your restaurant, including the location, phone number, website link, menu, prices, as well as opening/closing hours. Promoting/marketing your restaurant brand on social media will help you boost sales in the post-pandemic world.
Let Us Help
Thriving in the post-pandemic era can be a daunting task for most restaurants. However, the pointers above can help you get on the right foot. At Digital Edge Marketing Agency, we can help ensure your restaurant is fully equipped in the 'new normal' post-pandemic economy. Ensure you contact us today to find out more.
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