6 Marketing Strategies Your Restaurant Needs in 2023
If you're running an independent or family-owned restaurant, you might feel like the odds are stacked against you in the marketing game. But they're not! Sure, the corporate chain restaurants have sizable marketing budgets, but they also have something you don't: a boatload of bureaucracy. You, on the other hand, have the agility and closeness to your community to really make a mark. Let's jump into some staple strategies—ones that should be in every effective restaurant marketing plan—that you need to be implementing this year to help grow your business.
1. Website Optimization
First things first, if your restaurant doesn't have an online presence, you're leaving money on the table—literally. In 2023, 40% of restaurant revenue is expected to come from online orders. Make sure your website has capabilities for online ordering and reservations. And while you're at it, use tools like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to collect emails for your email marketing efforts. Trust us, these aren't just "nice-to-haves," these are your bread and butter in today's digital age.
2. Email Marketing
Remember those emails you've been collecting? They're more valuable than gold. Through email marketing, our clients see an average of $2,500 per month in sales generated directly from their email campaigns. Unlike social media algorithms that decide when and where to show your content, your email list gives you a direct line to your customers. Email marketing is a restaurant marketing strategy that you can control, and it's effective.
3. Local SEO: The Underdog of Restaurant Marketing Strategies
You might think having thousands of Instagram followers is impressive, but what you really want is to show up when someone types "best pasta near me" into Google. When customers are actively searching for restaurants, chances are, they're hungry and ready to dine. Add your restaurant to online directories like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google My Business to help boost your local SEO rankings. For maximum impact, reach out to local publications and food bloggers. Trust us, this is one overlooked restaurant marketing idea that pays off.
4. Social Media Marketing: Beyond Just Pretty Plates
Social media isn't just for showing off your latest dish; it's about building a community around your restaurant. Customers often need multiple touchpoints with a brand before they're ready to make a purchase. Platforms like TikTok are becoming the new search engines for younger audiences seeking restaurant recommendations. So, yes, your restaurant social media marketing strategy matters more than you think.
5. Reputation Management: More Than Just 5 Stars
Reviews are good, but a solid reputation is better. Beyond merely responding to reviews, you should be actively soliciting them from satisfied customers. Create strategies to improve your reputation, like getting mentions in local publications (yes, this helps with SEO too). Don't underestimate the power of good old PR.
6. Paid Ads: Don’t Just ‘Boost Post’
Paid advertising isn't as simple as hitting the "boost post" button on Instagram. Learn the basics of Meta and Google Ads, and incorporate retargeting ads to keep your restaurant at the top of potential customers' minds. How much should you budget? That’s going to depend on your location, size and platform of choice. But as a rule of thumb, plan on spending at least $300 per month. This will give you sufficient data to make informed decisions for future ad buys. And don't rule out other paid ad forms like banner ads and traditional print ads when appropriate.
Wrapping Up: Keep an Eye on Your KPIs
Implementing these restaurant marketing ideas is fantastic, but how do you know they're working? Make sure you have a system in place to track your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Return on Investment (ROI).
Feeling overwhelmed? We get it—running a restaurant is more than a full-time job. That's why we've got affordable packages specifically tailored for mom-and-pop shops looking to elevate their sales. Let us take the marketing off your plate, so you can focus on what you do best: the food.
Check out our affordable pricing packages tailored for busy restaurateurs like you.
