Google My Business for restaurants: how to get more customers for free

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for restaurants to attract more customers. One of the most effective ways to boost visibility and increase foot traffic, without spending a dime, is by optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) profile.

This free tool from Google helps restaurants appear in search results, Google Maps, and local listings, making it easier for hungry customers to find you. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the importance of Google My Business for restaurants, how to set up and optimize your listing, and how CloudKitchens can help maximize your online presence.

Why Google My Business is crucial for restaurants

A well-optimized Google My Business profile provides numerous benefits for restaurants, including:

Increased visibility

Your restaurant appears in Google Search and Google Maps, making it easy for customers to find you when searching for places to eat.

More customer engagement

Customers can quickly access essential information such as contact details, directions, and reviews, helping them make faster dining decisions.

Higher trust and credibility

Verified and up-to-date business information, along with positive reviews, builds trust and encourages more customers to visit or order from your restaurant.

Free marketing tool

Unlike paid ads, GMB is a cost-effective way to promote your restaurant and attract new customers.

Boosted SEO rankings

A fully optimized GMB profile helps your restaurant rank higher in local search results, increasing your chances of being discovered by potential customers.

Increased online orders and reservations

GMB allows restaurants to integrate food ordering and reservation links, streamlining the customer journey from discovery to conversion.

Access to valuable insights

Google My Business provides analytics on how customers find and interact with your listing, helping you make data-driven marketing decisions.

With over 83% of consumers using Google to search for businesses, having an optimized Google My Business listing ensures that your restaurant remains competitive in the digital landscape.

Read more: Restaurant SEO: Enhance Your Online Presence

How to set up Google My Business for your restaurant

Setting up Google My Business is straightforward. Follow these steps to create your profile and start attracting customers:

Step 1: Create a Google account for your restaurant

If you don’t already have one, create a Google account specifically for your restaurant. This will be used to manage your GMB listing, Google Ads, and other business tools.

Step 2: Claim or add your restaurant on Google My Business

1. Go to Google My Business.
2. Click “Manage Now” and enter your restaurant’s name.
3. If your restaurant is listed, claim it. If not, select “Add your business to Google”.

Step 3: Enter your restaurant details

Provide accurate information, including:

• Business Name – Use your official restaurant name.
• Address – Ensure it matches your signage and online listings.
• Phone Number – Add a number that customers can easily contact.
• Website – Link to your official restaurant website.
• Category – Choose an accurate category (e.g., “Italian Restaurant” or “Fast Food Restaurant”).

Step 4: Verify your business

Google requires verification to prevent fraudulent listings. Verification methods include:

• Postcard Verification – Google mails a postcard with a verification code.
• Phone Verification – Some businesses may be eligible for phone verification.
• Email Verification – Available for certain businesses.

Check the video with step by step:

Step 5: Optimize your Google My Business listing

After verification, optimize your GMB profile to maximize customer engagement by adding high-quality images of your food and venue, ensuring your business hours are up to date, responding to customer reviews promptly, and utilizing Google Posts to promote special offers.

Additionally, link your menu and ordering platforms to streamline customer interactions and boost online orders.

Read more: How to have excellent menu pictures to grab your audience’s attention

How to optimize your Google My Business listing

1. Upload high-quality photos

Adding high-resolution images of your food, menu, interior, and staff helps create a welcoming online presence. Restaurants with appealing photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more website clicks.

2. Keep business hours updated

Always update your opening hours, including special hours for holidays and events, to avoid customer confusion.

3. Respond to customer reviews

Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and respond to all feedback professionally. Google prioritizes businesses with active customer engagement.

4. Add your menu and ordering links

Use the menu feature to upload your latest offerings. If you offer delivery or takeout, include direct links to ordering platforms.

5. Use Google Posts for promotions

Google Posts allow you to share limited-time offers, discounts, and events directly on your listing. Keep your audience engaged with fresh content.

6. Enable messaging and reservations

Activate Google Messaging, so customers can inquire about menu items, reservations, and more. If you take table bookings, link to your reservation system.

7. Monitor insights and analytics

Google My Business provides valuable data, such as:

• How customers find your listing (direct search vs. discovery search)
• What actions customers take (calls, website visits, direction requests)
• Where your restaurant is appearing in searches

Use this data to refine your marketing strategies and attract more customers.

Common Google My Business issues for restaurants and how to fix

Why isn’t my restaurant showing up on Google?

If your restaurant is not appearing in search results, check for the following issues:

• Incomplete GMB profile – Ensure all fields are filled in and optimized.
• Unverified listing – If your business isn’t verified, it won’t appear in search results.
• Inconsistent business details – Your restaurant’s name, address, and phone number must match across all platforms.
• Low customer engagement – Encourage customers to leave reviews and interact with your listing to improve visibility.
• New listing delays – It can take a few days for new listings to appear in search results.

How do I fix incorrect restaurant information?

If your restaurant details are incorrect, you can update them through your Google My Business dashboard:

1. Log in to your GMB account.
2. Select your business profile.
3. Click “Edit” next to the section you want to update.
4. Save your changes, which typically take 24-48 hours to reflect.

How do I handle fake or negative reviews?

• For fake reviews, report them to Google for removal.
• For genuine negative reviews, respond politely and professionally. Apologize for any inconvenience and offer a solution to show excellent customer service.
• Encourage more positive reviews from satisfied customers to outweigh any negative feedback.

Read more: Restaurant Marketing: The Ultimate Guide

How CloudKitchens helps you maximize online visibility

Using Google My Business alongside a CloudKitchens delivery model can further enhance your restaurant’s reach and profitability. CloudKitchens allows restaurants to focus on delivery and takeout, ensuring a seamless customer experience.

Want to take your restaurant’s online visibility to the next level? Learn more about CloudKitchens and discover how you can grow your business today!

DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for general informational purposes only and the content does not constitute an endorsement. CloudKitchens does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information, text, images/graphics, links, or other content contained within the blog content. We recommend that you consult with financial, legal, and business professionals for advice specific to your situation.