How to attract more guests to your restaurant or bar

Maximise your online presence   

The way customers find new venues has changed dramatically over the last few years and the customer now start their digital journey long before they set foot in your venue. Ensuring you have a strong online presence helps your venue rank highly on Google – one of the best ways for potential customers to find you.   

Use the cheat sheet below to ensure your online presence is maximised, covering essential aspects of your venue. 

Website 

Up-to-date information: 

• Current menu with accurate pricing and descriptions. 
• High-quality photos of your dishes, interior, and exterior. 
• Contact information (phone, email, address), easily accessible. 
• Hours of operation, clearly displayed.

Mobile-friendly design: 

• Responsive layout that adapts to different screen sizes. 
• Easy navigation and fast loading times on mobile devices. 
• Optimised images for faster loading on mobile connections. 

Engaging content: 

• The 'About Us' section, telling your restaurant's story and values. 
• Blog posts or news section with updates, recipes, or local events - if applicable. 
• Testimonials or customer reviews to build trust, or integrate Google Maps / TripAdvisor reviews widget. 
• Clear call-to-action buttons (e.g., "Book Now," "Order Online"). 

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): 

• Use relevant keywords throughout your website content. 
• Optimise meta titles and descriptions for each page. 
• Submit your sitemap to search engines (Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools). 

Social Media 

Active profiles: 

• Choose platforms where your target audience is most active (Facebook, Instagram, X, etc.). 
• Post regularly with high-quality images and engaging captions. 
• Respond promptly to comments and messages. 
• Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility.

Google My Business: 

• Claim and verify your listing to ensure your restaurant's information is accurate and up-to-date. 
• Complete your profile - fill out all sections, including hours, website, menu, photos, and attributes. 
• Encourage reviews - ask customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business listing through post-visit emails. 
• Respond to reviews - thank positive reviewers and address any concerns raised in negative reviews. 

Think about it as your online storefront - whatever you display there, will make somebody dine in or run away from your venue.  

List your venue on a discovery platform   

Speaking of maximising your online presence, a listing on an online discovery platform like DesignMyNight is a great way to make sure your venue or event is seen far and wide. A listing page showcases your venue along with all the essential info your guests need, and you can keep your listing information up to date.  

Host different events   

Building a calendar of varied and interesting events tied into offers or holidays is a great way to generate income from quieter days and pre-booked business for smoother planning.  Some great examples are recurring events such as ‘Taco Tuesdays’ or a curry night to encourage mid-week visitors.   

Hosting bigger ticketed events is an excellent way to get ahead of planning for organising staff, making the most of your venue size and finding new customers. Retro theme nights, karaoke nights and live music events are all great options. A reliable online ticketing solution can help you manage your event easily, sell tickets across different platforms, promote your event to a wider audience and facilitate a quick and easy check-in on the day.   

Embrace mobile technology 

Inevitably, the world is moving towards mobile everything, and hospitality is no exception. Mobile ordering and mobile payment options are some of the most popular tech upgrades impacting the modern dining experience, both receiving positive feedback among the guests. More than half of surveyed customers (55%) have used their phone to order food from the table and almost two-thirds (60%) agree it has made it easier to pay for their meal. 

Operators alike agree that reliance on hospitality tech will only increase, so being flexible in the service you provide using technology, can give your customers options in how they can order and pay. 

Focus on sustainability  

According to Deloitte, 66% of the population consider ethical practices important when choosing a place to eat. Another research revealed that customers are increasingly concerned with issues like land degradation, over-consumption of natural resources and greenhouse gases.  

The good news for hospitality operators? 78% of customers are willing to pay more for meals in a sustainable restaurant. 

Here are a few ways to make your restaurant or bar more green: 

• Manage energy and water usage - an energy management system is a great way to keep control of your appliances and remain mindful of your electricity consumption. Low-flow water fixtures, reducing water flow while maintaining adequate pressure, will help you use only what you need.  

• Reduce food waste - food waste is a huge issue in hospitality. Start by tracking your waste, reduce portion sizes and consider implementing inventory software, which will help you accurately track your ingredients, avoiding spoilage.  
• Source local products - when possible, source your ingredients locally and plan your menus around seasonal produce. This not only saves our planet unnecessary emissions but you'll also benefit from buying the freshest, flavourful food.  
• Include more plant-based options in your menu - did you know that 60% of greenhouse gases come from meat production? You can reduce your impact by focusing less on meat and introducing more plant-based options.  
• Use sustainable takeout packaging - swap out the styrofoam for packaging made of compostable materials.  

Start a loyalty program  

When thinking about attracting more guests, don't underestimate the power of the regulars. At the end of the day, they prove to be your most valuable diners, spending 67% more on average.  

A loyalty program tied into your POS system will let you gain valuable insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and habits, which can be used to personalise your marketing campaigns.  

Make sure your loyalty program aligns with the customers' expectations - make it easy to enrol and collect points or rewards, offer personalised recommendations, exclusive deals, and birthday surprises based on their preferences and purchase history.  

These small touches can go a long way in fostering a sense of loyalty and encouraging repeat visits. To learn more about hospitality loyalty programs, read our free guide, The Complete Guide to Building Customer Loyalty in Hospitality.  

Software solutions to help your business grow 

Restaurant marketing is no easy task - it takes time and money and we know that in the current economic landscape, every penny counts.  

Here are some key software solutions to consider for a more streamlined, efficient, and effective approach to attracting new customers: 

• Hospitality Booking Software - Attract more guests by offering the convenience of online booking and improve your conversion rate by an average of 24%. Access Collins partners with the UK’s largest hospitality discovery platform, designmynight.com where you can list your venue in front of a 3.9 million monthly visitors. 
• Point of Sale (POS) system - A modern POS system can do much more than just process transactions, so look for a solution that integrates with your loyalty program, such as our Access EPoS.  
• Order & Pay at Table solutions - Provide a seamless and engaging dining experience by allowing guests to browse your menu, place orders, and pay their bills directly from their smartphones through a table ordering system.  
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System - hospitality-focused CRM, such as Acteol CRM, can help you build and nurture relationships with your customers through targeted email marketing, personalised offers, and loyalty programs. Use our ROI Calculator to see how much revenue you can generate with Acteol. 
• Ticketing Software - If you host special events or offer ticketed experiences, ticketing software, such as Access Tonic, can help you manage ticket sales, promotions, and attendance tracking, making it easier to attract and manage guests for your events. 

Ready to fill your restaurant?  

In a competitive industry with countless dining options, attracting and retaining customers is crucial for any restaurant or bar. Thankfully, there's a range of strategies you can use to attract more guests and maintain their loyalty.  

Some of the tactics we've shared are making sure your online presence is up-to-date and engaging, listing your venue on discovery platforms, hosting unique events, embracing mobile technology for convenience and efficiency, incorporating sustainable practices, and building a strong customer loyalty program. 

We offer a range of hospitality software designed to simplify operations, enhance the customer experience, and drive growth. Get in touch with our expert team who's always on hand should you have any further questions about your needs.