Google Online Ordering vs. Google My Business Profile

Google plays an integral role in the everyday lives of billions of people around the world. It’s a tool that has impacted virtually every aspect of human life, and this is especially true when it comes to people’s relationships with food and restaurants.

person searching on google for online ordering restaurant options

In the United States alone, there are 17 million daily searches for the phrase “food near me,” and 70% of individuals use Google to search for restaurants by cuisine type and specific food items (as opposed to restaurant or brand names).

Recently, Google released a new site feature that has proven to be especially impactful for businesses in the restaurant industry, and that feature is Google Online Ordering. This new tool allows customers to place orders with your business directly through Google properties (Google Search, Google Maps, Google Assistant), and given the prevalence of individuals looking for places to eat online, it’s an extremely effective way to maximize your reach with new customers in the vicinity of your business.

Google Online Ordering vs. Google My Business Profile

While your business may already be set up on Google with a “My Business” profile, it’s important to note that being able to take online orders directly through Google is different than solely having a “My Business” profile enabled. With that said, however, enabling your Google “My Business” profile is a necessary first step to take in order to continue to set up online ordering through Google.

Your “My Business” profile will appear on the right-hand side of the results page when someone searches for your business through Google, and it will include important information like your hours of operation, your website, featured photos, and location.

google my business, Google business listing on phone with headphones and device

Once your “My Business” profile is enabled, you’ll need to partner with a service provider, like Zuppler, to continue to set up Google Online Ordering for your business. Zuppler takes care of all the back-end data and menu configurations, so that you can stay focused on the business operations that make your restaurant great.

When your business is ready to start taking online orders directly through Google, a button with your service options, “ORDER PICKUP” or “ORDER DELIVERY” will appear above your restaurant rating.