Customer reviews and ratings can be a game-changer for restaurants. They have the power to make or break your business.

If you’re not keeping an eye on your online reviews, trying to improve them, or lacking enough reviews to satisfy hungry customers, your restaurant could be missing out on some serious cash.

While there are plenty of popular websites where people leave and find restaurant reviews like Yelp, Facebook, and TripAdvisor, this guide will focus on boosting reviews specifically on Google Maps.

In the following sections, we’ll explore some effective methods to increase the number of reviews for your restaurant. We’ll also share some tips on how to gather positive reviews and use them to drive even more business your way. Get ready to level up your review game!

5 Ways to Get Restaurant Customer Google Reviews

Good vibes from happy customers can do wonders for your restaurant’s success. Positive reviews are like gold to restaurateurs, while negative ones can really put a damper on things and bury your listing.

When people see glowing recommendations from fellow diners, it instantly boosts their confidence in your place. They start envisioning a delightful dining experience or some mouthwatering take-out.

So, it’s pretty clear that you want to rack up those positive Google reviews for your restaurant. Here’s the lowdown on how to make it happen. Let’s dive in!

#1 Fully Complete Your Google Business Profile

According to Google, having a complete Business Profile on Google Search and Maps can make a world of difference. They found that customers are 2.7 times more likely to trust a company with a solid profile.

Not only that, but they’re also 70 percent more likely to actually visit the business and a whopping 50 percent more likely to make a purchase.

So, what does this mean for you? Well, by filling out your profile, you’re making it easier for potential customers to find your business, check out what you offer, and even leave a review if they feel like it.

And here’s a pro tip: having a profile that’s packed with useful info like menus, lots of mouthwatering pictures, and regular updates will help potential customers find your Business Profile and see all the awesome reviews left by your patrons. It’s a win-win!

#2 Ask Guests to Review Your Establishment

Gathering feedback from customers doesn’t have to be complicated. One easy way is to slip in a request on their receipt. If folks are dining in or grabbing takeout, you can add a website address or QR code right on the paper receipt. Just pop in a friendly message asking them to share their experience.

For online orders or orders through third-party apps, you can include a nifty business card with a link to your Google review page. Don’t forget to kindly ask the customer to take a moment to write a review. Simple as that!

#3 Make Leaving a Review As Easy As Possible

Make sure to spread the love for your Google Business Profile by including links in all the right places where people love to share their experiences online. That means having those links on your website, in email signatures, on popular directories like Yelp, and across your social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Why is this so important? Well, not only will folks stumble upon your restaurant on these third-party and social media sites, but they’ll also be more likely to trust the reviews they find there. And hey, if they’ve had an amazing dining experience, they’ll be eager to write some glowing reviews. On the flip side, if things didn’t go well, they might share some negative feedback. So, it’s crucial to keep all of this in mind as you spread the word about your restaurant.

#4 Respond to Reviews (Good & Bad)

When it comes to your company’s online reputation, responding to reviews can work wonders.

If you come across a negative review, it’s important to acknowledge the customer’s concerns and make an extra effort to show them you genuinely care. On the flip side, when you receive a glowing review, let the person know how much you appreciate their kind words and encourage them to visit again.

Remember, it’s all about keeping the conversation going, no matter the star rating. By doing so, you demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.

When you receive a positive online review, take a moment to express your gratitude and let the reviewer know they’re always welcome back.

And if you encounter a not-so-great review, don’t shy away from it. Take responsibility, especially if you or your staff are at fault, and assure the reviewer that you’re committed to making improvements and providing better experiences moving forward.

#5 Utilize a Review Management Service

Managing and optimizing your restaurant’s online reviews can be a time-consuming task. That’s where a review management service comes in to save the day.

With a comprehensive review management solution specifically designed for restaurants like this one, you can easily monitor, respond to, and leverage customer reviews across multiple review sites, including Google Maps, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and more. Let’s dive into the benefits of using a review management service as well as some of the features to look for below:

Centralized Review Monitoring: A centralized dashboard where you can view and manage all your restaurant’s reviews in one place means no more hopping from one review site to another; you’ll have a bird’s eye view of your online reputation.

Real-Time Review Alerts: Stay on top of your restaurant’s online feedback with real-time review alerts. Be sure you get notified whenever a new review is posted, allowing you to respond promptly and address any concerns or show appreciation for positive feedback.

Review Response Automation: Crafting individual responses to each review can be time-consuming (and difficult if the written word isn’t your forte!) Fortunately, some review management platforms streamline the process, helping to tailor your responses to different types of reviews.

Review Generation Tools: Proactively generate more reviews for your restaurant by choosing a platform with review generation tools like automated review requests via email or SMS, custom review landing pages, and widgets for your website.

Whether you’re working with MenuLabs’ review management platform or not, incorporating proactive online review management into your restaurant’s strategy can significantly streamline your processes, boost your online reputation, and ultimately attract more customers.

Key Takeaways

Whether you’re starting a new restaurant with zero reviews or you have an established spot with only a few, boosting that review count is crucial for making Google a top referral source for new customers.

First things first, make sure you’ve put in the effort to complete your Google Business Profile (GBP) in full. That means filling out menus, providing accurate location details, specifying operating hours, sharing appetizing photos, and keeping things updated with regular posts.

Next up, don’t be shy about asking for reviews. Make it super easy for customers to share their experiences by including prompts on receipts or in other forms of communication.

Take the time to respond to all your reviews, whether they’re good, bad, or even suspected fakes. Showing that you genuinely care about your business, expressing gratitude for positive feedback, and addressing concerns from dissatisfied customers are fantastic ways to build trust within your community.

Last but not least, consider using a review management platform like the one from MenuLabs to manage your restaurant reviews from a single hub — and get more of the ones that help drive business and build your bottom line!

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to skyrocketing your review count and making Google a powerful ally in attracting new customers to your restaurant.