How Can I Get My Customers to Leave an Online Review of My Restaurant?

Social media is the new normal in the landscape of digital marketing, for almost any industry, but it’s become a critical part of day-to-day business operations for the quick service restaurant industry. Whether or not you’re active on social media channels, your restaurants and your services are probably being discussed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yelp and beyond.

What does this mean for you? Well, it's time to think about creative ways to blend promotional and in-restaurant décor with your social media strategy. 

You're interested in engaging with your customers online, and you understand that online reviews can make or break a restaurant these days. How do you get your customers to leave reviews after they've left your restaurant?

Here are just a few ways that you can encourage patrons to rate your restaurant online!

Create Signage

Bright, colorful signage, window clings, and even floor graphics located in your restaurant's entryway will help to remind your customers to leave a review as they're walking out. In fact, they might even break out their smartphones and do it as they leave, so that they don't forget to do it later.

Your signage could be as simple as this window graphic we did for 'Wichcraft, with their hashtag and Twitter handle, to remind customers to connect or mention them online. Or, it could be more directly tied to leaving a review, or offering a coupon for everyone who checks in or mentions them online. 

Just Ask

Many times, people only leave reviews when they get really terrible service, or when their service was out of this world. Otherwise, they don't really think about doing it at all. If you give them a gentle nudge, they'll most likely be happy to do it. (Of course, be sure that you're providing top-notch service and excellent food—you don't want to encourage them to leave a review only to find that they're not happy with their experience.) 

Keep It Simple

Even if they'd like to help you out with a review, very few customers are going to be willing to jump through a bunch of hoops to do so. Don't force them to register for a site to which they don't belong, or provide a bunch of information that they find unnecessary or intrusive. Keep the process as simple as you can by focusing on one or two major online review sites, like Yelp and Google reviews, to send them to.

By using a combination of friendly service, new processes, and clever signage, you can boost your online reputation, thanks to your satisfied customers. Ask us about creative print solutions for your quick service or fast casual restaurant! We’d love to help.