We live in a digital world, where people use the internet to do everything from manage their finances to discover new places to eat. In this online environment, your restaurant’s Google reviews matter — they impact how potential customers see your business and where it shows up in searches. The more positive reviews you have, the easier it is to attract a crowd.

If your restaurant has room for improvement, now’s the perfect time to take action. By finding ways to encourage each customer to leave a Google review, you can boost visibility, foot traffic, and profits.

The importance of getting more Google reviews

Online reviews are critical for businesses in the restaurant industry — 57.2% of people use them to find information about restaurants they’re thinking about visiting. And because Google handles more than 80% of global internet searches, Google reviews have an outsized importance.

If you’ve ever tried to get someone to write a Google review, you know the process takes time. For most restaurants, however, the benefits are worth the effort:

• Social proof. Potential customers look at positive Google reviews as votes of confidence — a good review profile signals that people have eaten at your restaurant and enjoyed the experience. The average Google rating matters, but so does the number of reviews. A 5-star rating is wonderful, but it’s even more powerful when it comes from thousands of reviews rather than just a few.
• Increased trust. Every Google review includes a star rating; when your business accumulates enough reviews, the rating shows up right under your restaurant’s name in its Google My Business profile. This visual indicator can do wonders for building trust and credibility, especially if customers have rated you four stars or higher.
• Increased visibility. Your Google review count is important for local SEO; it impacts whether your restaurant shows up in Google search results and local business searches on Google Maps. Restaurants with more Google business reviews and high ratings tend to be first on the list of suggested establishments.
• More orders. Higher search visibility increases traffic to your website, which is a great way to improve ordering numbers. The key? Make sure your Google My Business profile includes a working link. That way, customers can click through to your online ordering website directly from the search results. There, they can order immediately or peruse the menu before stopping by for a meal.
• Valuable feedback. A negative review can provide useful insights that help your business improve. Plus, responding to bad reviews is an opportunity to release tension and maintain customer relationships.

Set up your Google Business profile

Every business is eligible to set up a Google Business Profile page. Google Business is essentially a business profile that ties into the Google network. In addition to basic information like your business’s name, operating hours, address, and phone number, Google Business listings are able to link to Google Maps and incorporate feeds from Google Shopping and Search. This is also where your Google reviews will appear when a customer searches for your business.

Take a look at this guide to Google Business for Restaurants to claim your profile today.

10 tips to boost Google reviews

Diners are often quick to leave a Google review for a restaurant after a bad experience — their emotions are high, and they need an outlet. When the food and service are great, however, the impetus isn’t as strong.

Customers who love your restaurant are often happy to support the business; all you have to do is ask. With the right strategies, you can encourage more people to leave positive Google reviews.

1. Provide excellent service and food

To get positive reviews, you need to provide a top-notch customer experience. Before you try any other strategies, make sure your food, service, and ambiance are the best they can be. Tighten up factors such as:

• Food quality, freshness, and flavor
• Meal presentation
• Service style and quality
• Interior decor and lighting
• Music and ambiance
• Ease of checkout
• Customer service
• Website design

This applies to in-house, takeout, and delivery orders; a consistently great experience across every interaction helps increase your Google seller ratings.

2. Set your restaurant apart

Find ways to create a standout experience that inspires customers to write reviews. To get ideas, figure out how you can distinguish your restaurant from competitors. Can you maximize a spectacular view? Do you have a beautiful interior? For example, customer reviews of the highly rated Spoon & Stable in Minneapolis often mention the incredibly knowledgeable servers. At Chicago’s popular Girl & The Goat, diners rave about the industrial-chic vibe.

3. Train your staff to request reviews

Before happy customers leave the restaurant, your servers or hosts can politely ask for reviews. It’s important to use a light touch — staff members should make the request quickly and professionally, without putting any pressure on the guest.

Some ways to ask for customer reviews include:

• “We’d love it if you leave us a Google review — it really helps us grow!” 
• “We’d love to hear your opinions! Here’s a card with our Google review link.”
• “Would you mind sharing your experience? Google reviews help other pizza lovers find our small business.”

People love to share their opinions; they also love to be helpful. Framing your review request as a way to support the business is particularly effective for loyal customers who already appreciate what you’re doing.

4. Provide a convenient Google review link

Make it as easy as possible for customers to leave a review by logging in to your Google My Business profile and creating a Google review link directly to the form. Then, place it in high-visibility locations on your website and social media profiles. You can also add it to your email signature line and include it in your email newsletter. For personal Google review requests, print a shortened version of the link on business cards and hand them out to customers.

5. Create a pop-up in your digital loyalty program

If your restaurant has a loyalty program, consider adding a pop-up that requests a review after customers redeem a members-only promotional deal. Everyone loves a discount, so this is a good opportunity to catch customers when they’re in a good mood. Include your direct link so guests can click through quickly. Be careful not to tie discounts or perks to your request — it’s against Google’s policies to offer incentives in exchange for reviews.

6. Follow up with customers

After a guest dines at your restaurant or places a delivery order, follow up with a thank-you email. Express your appreciation for their business and ask for feedback; insert your Google review link for easy access.

Don’t have customers’ emails? Here are a few ways to collect them:

• Offer a one-time discount to people who sign up for your mailing list
• Institute a digital loyalty program that associates orders with specific guests
• Use Grubhub Direct for commission-free orders and easy access to customer data

7. Respond to customer reviews

Replying to online reviews is an underrated restaurant marketing strategy. Your responses are visible to everyone, which means every word is an opportunity to influence public opinion. And when customers see the engagement, they may be more likely to leave a Google review of their own.

As you craft responses, maintain a tone that’s friendly and professional. Take complaints seriously; provide a contact email address and request more information, or explain how you’ve fixed the problem. It’s an effective way to express appreciation for guests’ input and show you take customer feedback seriously. 

8. Post on social media

Chances are, the people who follow your restaurant on social media already love your food. Capitalize on that goodwill by posting occasional requests for Google reviews. Be honest about why you’re asking — explain that more positive reviews help your business grow and reach more people. Your biggest fans will be happy to help.

9. Put up signs

Physical signs can enhance your digital marketing campaign for reviews. Print signs that ask customers to leave a review and put them up around the restaurant. Instead of asking them to type in a link, create a QR code that takes them directly to the Google review form. Then, put the code in high-visibility locations:

• Tables and the bar
• Bathroom stall doors
• Host stand
• Waiting area

When people are waiting for their food or the check, writing a review is a way to pass the time.

10. Plan events

Special events give customers an exciting reason to leave a positive Google review for your restaurant. You can host a family fun night, cooking classes with your chef, or cocktail-mixing workshops with your bartender. Don’t be afraid to get creative — plan costume parties, holiday celebrations, live music, karaoke evenings, or brunch with a live DJ.

Attract even more attention by partnering with other local businesses. Work with a yoga studio to offer a pre-work yoga class and breakfast to go, or recruit a local wine influencer to teach a wine-pairing class. Ask for online reviews from satisfied customers at the end of each event.

Improve customer experience with Grubhub

A surefire way to get more Google reviews is to offer the best possible dining experience. When it comes to takeout and delivery orders, Grubhub can help. Our cutting-edge platform and professional delivery drivers provide a streamlined, convenient ordering process that drives positive online feedback. To see how we can help position your brand as a trusted and reliable spot to eat, get started with Grubhub today.