While food delivery used to be most closely associated with Chinese food and pizza, online delivery services have provided consumers a whole new world of choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert. Even though restaurant owners might vaguely know about these services — or perhaps even use one or two of them — there are even bigger opportunities for restaurant owners to bring their world-class dishes to as many guests as possible. Here are a few reasons why Google is critical to restaurant success:
Leverage Google's API Integration
Though you might not have known it by name, chances are good you've used Google's API and structured data features, which allow businesses to display specific information directly in the search engine results page (SERP). For restaurants, using Google's integrations can display things like menus when consumers search for a specific restaurants. So, for instance, if you own a Greek restaurant, you might want your menu to show up when a local diner searches for "Gryo Bros Menu." However, even though getting people to browse your menu from Google is a good start for most restaurant owners, it doesn't automatically bring in increased diners.
Provide On-demand Food Delivery
Late last year, Google updated its Maps app to integrate with a selection of on-demand food delivery services. According to Eater, search options are fairly robust, with users able to pick from broad types of food as well as specific sub-categories like "Where the Locals Eat" or "Vegetarian-friendly Spots." After a user selects what they want to eat, a special info card will be displayed with an "Order" link that connects the user to a third-party delivery app. Though not every delivery company is integrated, this is a must-use feature if your restaurant does, as it'll help cut down on competition and connect you with hungry diners.
Help Grow the Business
Google's integrations can be a boon for your business, as it not only makes it easier for consumers to see what your restaurant offers and maybe even order food, but it helps your business feature more prominently on the SERP than your competitors. However, you might be wondering how to get started with this new feature. Fortunately, this is one instance where a marketing professional can ensure your restaurant pops up for the most relevant search terms, exposing your famous dishes to more diners in the area.
Google's integrations have opened up a whole new world for hungry consumers to discover new restaurants, and if you're a small- or medium-sized restaurant owner, there's no reason you shouldn't take advantage of this new technology to connect with more local diners. With the help of a marketing professional, you can leverage this new technology and watch your business grow.
