How to Increase Restaurant Bookings: Expert Marketing Strategies & Solutions

Want to fill more tables? Start with a strong online presence, creating promotions, and a seamless booking system.

Here’s how you can do it - plus how Eat App makes it even easier.

1. Strengthen your online presence

Most diners check a restaurant’s online presence before deciding to book. You lose potential customers if they can’t find you or, if your information is outdated.

• A survey conducted by MGH revealed that 77% of diners are likely to visit a restaurant's website before deciding to dine in or order takeout/delivery.

Solution: Optimize your website & Google My Business 

Make sure your website is mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and has high-quality images of your restaurant and menu. Most importantly, add a clear booking button on every page.

Quick tip

With Eat App, you can integrate a real-time reservation system directly onto your website, so guests can book instantly.

Google My Business is another must-have. Keep it updated with accurate details, professional photos, and quick responses to reviews. 

Start your free Eat App trial to activate your Reserve with Google button!

Quick tip

Eat App helps you capture customer data from bookings so you can follow up with happy guests and encourage repeat visits.

Utilise Social Media to drive reservations

Instagram and Facebook (and even TikTok) are powerful tools for attracting diners. Share behind-the-scenes content, highlight daily specials, and promote events. 

Quick tip

Use Eat App’s social media booking integration to let customers reserve a table straight from your social pages.

Curious how this feature can turn followers into customers?

2. Offer attractive promotions & discounts

If you’re not giving customers a reason to book now, they’ll keep putting it off. The right promotions create urgency and excitement.

Solution: Automate special offers & loyalty programs

Happy hour deals, seasonal menus, and exclusive promotions drive traffic - especially when combined with online marketing.

Quick tip

With Eat App, you can automate special offers and even set up a loyalty program that rewards frequent diners with discounts or VIP perks.

Bundle deals & limited-time offers

Consider offering prix fixe menus or group dining specials. Limited-time promotions encourage immediate bookings and boost your average check size. Eat App helps you track these promotions and measure their effectiveness.

3. Implement a seamless booking system

A complicated reservation process means lost customers. Make it easy for guests to book a table anytime, anywhere.

Solution: Implement Eat App’s reservation system

Eat App’s online reservation system can be integrated into your website, Google profile, and social media pages, ensuring guests can book in just a few clicks. No phone calls, no hassle.

Use email marketing to keep guests engaged

Send personalized emails featuring special offers, new menu items, or upcoming events. 

Quick tip

Eat App makes this easy by collecting customer data from reservations, allowing you to send targeted promotions that encourage repeat visits.

4. Focus on customer experience & retention

First impressions matter, and a great dining experience turns a one-time guest into a loyal customer.

Solution: Personalize your guest experiences

With Eat App, you can track guest preferences, past orders, and dining history. Imagine surprising a guest with their favorite appetizer on their birthday; it’s these little touches that create unforgettable experiences.

Encourage & manage reviews

Positive reviews boost credibility and attract more customers. Eat App helps you collect and manage reviews by sending automated post-dining feedback requests.

Respond professionally to negative reviews

No restaurant is immune to negative feedback, but how you handle it matters. Always respond professionally, acknowledge concerns, and offer solutions. Eat App makes it easy to track customer interactions and resolve issues proactively.

Final thoughts

Increasing restaurant bookings isn’t just about filling tables, it’s about making the booking process effortless and giving guests a reason to return. By optimizing your online presence, running effective promotions, streamlining reservations, and enhancing customer service, you’ll set your restaurant up for long-term success.

The best part? Eat App provides the tools to make it all happen effortlessly. From automated bookings to guest management and loyalty programs, Eat App helps you turn first-time visitors into loyal regulars. Ready to grow your restaurant? Let’s get started today!