If you’re here, you’re probably wondering how to take advantage of social media to improve sales and positioning for your restaurant. The reality is that in the digital landscape we live in, using social media to promote your restaurant is one of the main strategic pillars, after offering top-notch service and products. It’s estimated that globally, over a billion restaurant visits result from digital strategies.
After learning about a brand, 85% of internet users search for it online, coming across its social media and reviews that will help them decide whether or not to make a purchase. Using social media could be the determining factor in whether your business thrives.
Why Use Social Media to Promote Your Restaurant?
Promoting your restaurant or bar on social media is free.
Creating business profiles on social media platforms is free, and although promotions have an additional cost, nothing prevents you from sharing the experience that people can enjoy when visiting your business and starting to build a community of individuals who you can entice with your posts and interact with.
There are hundreds of active digital platforms, so choosing the right social media for your restaurant or bar is as simple as identifying your ideal customer and which social network they spend most of their time on.
5 Social Media Platforms for Restaurants and Bars in Colombia:
TripAdvisor:
Reviews matter! TripAdvisor is a social network specifically for tourism where over a billion reviews are shared worldwide. Restaurants, bars, hotels, travel agencies, and companies offering similar services post their offers focused on experiences that are rated by their customers. Your restaurant or bar’s online reputation will definitely help you conquer new palates and rank among predetermined categories like price, gastronomic specialization, type of music, overall rating, location, among others.
Foursquare:
Foursquare is a social network specifically for searching and discovering local establishments with over 10 million users. Accessing it can be done through a computer or by downloading it as an app on smartphones or tablets. What’s special about Foursquare is that its geolocator finds restaurants, bars, cafes, or any type of business nearby. It’s important to note that Foursquare consumers are “hot” customers, those who are ready to consume, so be prepared with updated offers that have a clear call to action and promotions that encourage visits.
Facebook:
We know what you’re thinking. “Nobody uses Facebook.” The reality is that millions of people are still active on this social network, and being part of Meta, the company that owns Instagram and WhatsApp, makes it relevant and much more. In Google searches, 49% of results are associated with posts. Using Facebook increases the chances of being discovered in search engines, so post here frequently and remember to use keywords.
Factors that benefit restaurants on Facebook:
- Linking buttons for reservations and deliveries.
- Possibility of receiving reviews
- Geolocation
- Check-ins Website:
Websites
Are also considered social networks, so we include them in this list because they are undoubtedly the only tool where you have total control. Restaurants, regardless of their size, should consider having a website where their menu, contact information, location, and history are available. Here you can link calls to action for your customers to claim coupons, order deliveries, or find out how to do so, read about the gastronomic proposal you offer, have clarity about your location and opening hours, and much more.
Instagram:
Did you know that 69% of millennials take a photo and post their dish before eating it?
Yes! This not only identifies a very popular social network for those with restaurants that have an offering for those between 25 and 40 years old but also makes it easier for them to work on behalf of your brand by posting it. Instagram confirms that food enters through the eyes, and creating photo-worthy dishes is something you should consider. This social network is also very dynamic in its content, and you will have the opportunity not only to showcase your offering but also to do so with various formats such as photos, videos, and stories. Have you created your first reel yet?
How to Use Social Media for Your Restaurant:
Different social media platforms for restaurants have different objectives, so it’s essential to choose several of them that help you achieve more digital presence. You must have a strategic plan where your posts meet real expectations and reflect the experience and offering of your restaurant or bar. You must set achievable goals and design posts to meet them, achieving a balance between promotional posts and valuable content. In our blog “What the heck is valuable content?” we explain more.
