As coronavirus decreases traffic and closes dining rooms, your digital footprint is critical to capturing off-premises sales. Here are some tips on using your online experience to reach new and existing customers. 

1. Claim or update your “Google My Business” listing 

Whether customers are searching for your restaurant or for “catering near me” on Google, your Google My Business listing is the first thing they will see. Include relevant business information so they can find you easily. This free tool also allows you to connect with your customers and see how they interact with your business on Google.

2. Update your social media pages 

Update your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn profiles with your current hours of business. Try posting photos of your food and behind-the-scenes videos, or reposting content your followers tag you in – don’t forget to use hashtags.

3. Check your Yelp listing

Review the accuracy of your Yelp listing. Does your menu need updating? Are your hours correct? Make sure what you list on Yelp matches your website and social channels. Then read and respond to customer reviews.

4. Update your website with your current hours of operation 

It can be frustrating for customers to reach out to place a catering order only to find out you’re closed. Be sure to update your website with your latest hours of operation.

5. List your catering menu on your website

Adding your catering, take-out, and/or delivery menus to your website can help you reach more customers. Have a section of your website dedicated to your menu or post it as a downloadable PDF. Label all individually packaged items to capture more sales.

6. Highlight online ordering

Whether you work with a third party like ezCater or have your own online ordering, make sure it’s visible. Making it easy for customers to quickly place an online order increases your odds of getting orders.

7. Collect email addresses from current and prospective customers

Do you know how to get in touch with your customers? Set your website up to capture email addresses and build an email list. Then when you have something to announce, like menu updates or specials,  you can easily share the news. 

8. Listen and respond to your customers

Your digital presence isn’t something to set and forget. Set aside time to read and respond to customers’ comments, monitor your competitors, and research popular hashtags.

9. Optimize your off-premises operations

Yes, this isn’t about your digital presence. But since restaurants across the country are closed for dine-in, off-premises channels are your only way to reach customers. As you optimize your digital presence, you may need to change processes or create new standard operating procedures to accommodate more off-premises orders and provide a great customer experience.

For more about your digital footprint, listen to Kevin Rychel, VP of Operations at Fuzzy’s Tacos, on The Catering Feed or read more on Lunch Rush.