Nextdoor Can Help Reach Local Customers and Grow Your Restaurant Business
Now more than ever, it’s important for local restaurants to establish an online presence. Bringing your restaurant into the digital space not only builds credibility, it also helps attract more customers. In fact, 80 percent of consumers rely on digital tools like an easy-to-use website and online ordering system, as motivating factors in deciding where they’ll dine. In the age of COVID-19, when dine-in and foot traffic are limited, being online is vital to maintaining your engagement with customers and boosting your restaurant’s success. This is where a tool like Nextdoor can be beneficial to your restaurant.
As a restaurant professional, you’re likely looking for new and innovative ways to keep your business top of mind. While in the past your customers may have traveled far and wide to taste your menu, chances are your most frequent customers now are the ones who live nearby. Thankfully, there are digital tools your restaurant can use to connect with your local community. Nextdoor is a tool to help build your online presence and allows you to reach nearby customers who are motivated to support a local restaurant. In fact, 88 percent of Nextdoor members shop at a local business once a week.
Here’s how you can use Nextdoor to attract more business to your restaurant.
Claim your free Business Page so local diners can find you.
While your website is the source of truth for information related to your restaurant, customers can also find you on other sites. This is why it’s important your business information is up to date on all relevant platforms.
On Nextdoor, you can claim your Business Page and share important information customers want to know about your restaurant. That includes your contact information, business hours, business story, photos, links to your website, and your takeout and delivery options. If you are already using ChowNow, it’s easy to share your direct ordering link to help Nextdoor users order from your menu. By claiming a Business Page, you can also take advantage of Nextdoor’s free marketing tools.
Engage with customers using Business Posts.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, communication with your customer base is all the more valuable. Since in-person interactions aren’t as frequent, it’s important to spend time engaging with your customers online. With Nextdoor Business Posts, your restaurant can do just that. This free marketing tool that allows you to communicate and engage with nearby patrons.
Post your restaurant’s latest updates, including changing safety measures, reopening or closing, expanding your dine-in options, and new takeout and delivery options. You can also connect with your customers on a more personal level by spotlighting a hard-working member of your team.
Get recommendations from verified members in your community.
Reviews or recommendations are powerful tools when it comes to getting the word out about your restaurant. Positive sentiment around your dishes, drinks, service, etc. may be the deciding factor on whether a new customer gives your menu a try. Recommendations act as social proof and easily facilitate word-of-mouth marketing.
If you aren’t prioritizing reviews or recommendations, now is the time to start. On Nextdoor, 67 percent of members are actively sharing recommendations, and there’s a chance they’re already talking about your restaurant. It’s also worth noting that Nextdoor recommendations are from verified members of the community, so you don’t have to worry about fake reviews that could potentially dilute your reputation.
Once you claim your Business Page on Nextdoor, you’ll get a unique link to recommend your restaurant. This link is the easiest way for customers to leave you a recommendation. Share this link on your website, social media accounts, and email campaigns to get the word out about your restaurant.
Attract new customers by running a Local Deal.
When it comes to restaurants, 50 percent of women and 44 percent of men say they would be willing to try a new spot if they received a coupon. Discounts can help boost your business by bringing in customers who may not have tried your restaurant otherwise.
One of the keys to a successful discount is making sure it gets in front of the right audience. In this case, you’d want to target customers who are able to easily get to your restaurant, or at least have their order delivered to them. With Local Deals, a paid advertising tool on Nextdoor, you can choose from different deal types. Local Deals also allow you to specifically target potential customers at the neighborhood level, so you can rest assured your ad is being seen by relevant people.
With the pandemic still upon us, restaurants must continue to stay resilient and quickly adapt to change. Establishing and maintaining your online presence is vital in navigating the uncertain future ahead. Using digital tools such as Nextdoor’s local business marketing solutions and online ordering platforms like ChowNow will help keep your restaurant at the forefront of customers’ minds.
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