Want to know how to improve your customer service and boost your restaurant’s performance? Don’t miss this article on the latest restaurant marketing trends.
As you probably know, the service industry is demanding—hard work, then harder work, and just when you think you can’t go any further, you have to push even harder.
To make all that effort pay off, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your time and work.
Restaurant Marketing Trends for 2020
1. Multichannel Communication
One of the best ways to improve your restaurant’s service is to listen to your customers. The best way to do that is by leveraging all the technology at your disposal. Without a doubt, multichannel communication is set to be a major restaurant marketing trend for 2020.
Multichannel communication simply means giving your customers the chance to reach you through modern technology.
It makes it easier for them to ask questions, and for you to help them, learn from their behavior, and understand their preferences.
Ideally, they should be able to connect with you quickly via:
- Live chat
- Facebook Messenger
- Apple Business Chat
- SMS
Of course, the goal is to provide genuine, human responses—so customers feel truly supported and heard.
2. Omnichannel Marketing
Closely related to the previous point, omnichannel marketing is another key restaurant marketing strategy for 2020.
With omnichannel marketing, you don’t pick just one platform for your digital marketing—you use them all.
You need to have a presence on:
- Ephemeral video (like Facebook and Instagram Stories)
- Podcasts
- Mobile apps
- Live streaming
- Live chat
- SMS
- PR and press releases
- Offline advertising
- Direct mail
- Offline events
- Chatbots and virtual assistants
Not every restaurant has the budget for such an ambitious strategy, but the more channels you work on, the better your results will be. Start with the most popular ones and see what works for you.
Do you own or manage a restaurant? We’ve built exceptional websites for this sector. Click here for a free consultation to boost your online presence. We’ll review your current website and provide a tailored action plan for improvement.
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As you start seeing results, you’ll be able to reinvest time and money into omnichannel marketing.
If you want your restaurant to succeed, you need a great Instagram for photos and a Facebook page with all your info.
3. Unique and Convenient Design
Let’s be honest: looks matter. Customers don’t just come for the food or because your staff is friendly and attractive.
No one is interested in places without personality. We look for an Italian restaurant with a great vibe and a beautiful dining room that matches what we’re after.
Plus, it makes for fantastic pre-meal photos to show off on Instagram.
So, if your restaurant is tastefully decorated and has character, more people will want to visit—and more will share photos on their social networks. Yes, it’s an investment, but it pays off in the long run.
These restaurants can charge more per cover, and if you don’t want to be expensive, at least make sure your dining room isn’t empty.
4. App-Like Websites
We’ve all heard it: “If you’re not online, you don’t exist.” That’s what this trend is all about for restaurant marketing in 2020.
That says it all, but let’s add a few details.
You need to be online—and you need to do it right. You wouldn’t show up to a party unkempt and poorly dressed. As a restaurant, people expect a certain level of polish.
The same goes for your website: it should have an attractive, unique, and visually appealing design.
Navigation should be simple and communicate everything your restaurant has to offer.
Your website should showcase great photos of your space, your kitchen, and your food.
Customers should also be able to contact you easily, for any reason.
And, crucially, your website must be perfectly optimized for mobile and tablet—a custom, app-like design. Forget those €80 templates that promise the world and deliver nothing but disappointment.
Do you own or manage a restaurant? We’ve built exceptional websites for this sector. Click here for a free consultation to boost your online presence. We’ll review your current website and provide a tailored action plan for improvement.
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5. Manage Your Reputation
Reputation is fragile. Everyone can leave reviews—good or bad—about the places they eat.
It’s true you can’t control what others say, but you can control your own work.
Always strive for excellence, and if you make a mistake, be humble, apologize, and offer to make it right.
You can also showcase positive reviews on your website or social media. You might even reward customers who leave the best feedback.
6. Innovation
If there’s one industry that welcomes innovation, it’s hospitality. A strong marketing strategy for restaurants means regularly updating your menu.
Change things up from time to time and use it as a hook to bring back customers who haven’t visited in a while—maybe to try your new vegan burger.
7. Influencers
Some restaurants with the resources are embracing this 2020 marketing trend: inviting well-known personalities to dine and using their image to boost visibility.
It’s not so different from those classic restaurants with photos of celebrities eating paella on the wall.
You walk in and say, “Hey, Rosalía ate here!” Suddenly, you feel like a star just for having the same dish.
8. Voice Search
Voice search is one of the top restaurant marketing trends for 2020 and beyond. Voice assistants are getting smarter and more accurate every year.
You can leverage this technology by integrating it into your app or website, making it easy for customers to order food quickly and effortlessly.
9. New Sales Channels
Beyond all these points, here’s another trend you shouldn’t overlook: opening up new sales channels, such as food delivery services.
In the past, you needed your own delivery guy waiting outside with a scooter. Now, that’s history—you can partner with Just Eat or similar platforms. Explore your options and stay open to new developments.
Conclusions
Times are changing fast—standing still is not an option if you want to succeed. Your restaurant’s marketing strategy will determine your chances of success, so I hope you’ve taken note of these key trends that will shape restaurant marketing.
Do you own or manage a restaurant? We’ve built exceptional websites for this sector. Click here for a free consultation to boost your online presence. We’ll review your current website and provide a tailored action plan for improvement.
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