5 easy steps to optimize your business for google online ordering

Google Online Ordering is taking the online ordering world by storm, making it easier than ever to order food directly from Google Search, Google Maps and the Assistant.

With an estimated 63,000 Google Searches per second, Google owns over 70% of the search market share. With so many prospective customers searching food-related searches like “Best restaurants in Philadelphia”, or “Best tacos around me”, is your restaurant capitalizing on Google’s capabilities to maximize your business’s potential?

Make the most out of Google Online Ordering with these 5 ways to get your restaurant set up for success:

1. Claim Your Google My Business

Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to manage how your business appears across Google products like Map and Search. You don’t have to claim your Google My Business in order to start taking online orders from Google, however, we highly recommend it!

Third-party services have been known to try and claim business listings which gives them full control of how your business information is displayed to users across Google platforms.

TIP: If someone is calling on behalf of Google to get your online business listing, this is not Google. Google employees will never do this. If your Google My Business is not under your control, reach out to the third-party that owns it and request that they pass ownership over to you. Once you have been given access make sure to update your listing with accurate information (i.e. Any URLs, Address, Phone Number, Hours of Operation).

2. Verify Your Google My Business

Make sure that your restaurant is verified on Google! This helps to ensure that your business information is accurate across Google. According to Google, Verified businesses are twice as likely to be considered reputable by users. This will also help with third party services trying to claim your business listing.
Benefits of having a verified Google My Business:

Allows new customers to find you across Google
Creates promotional posts
Track business analytics
Respond to customer reviews

Remember: the more updated your Google My Business is, the higher up on Google Search your restaurant will become.
Need help verifying your Google My Business? Click here!

3. Optimize Your Google My Business

Be sure to provide as much business information as possible to completely optimize your Google My Business.

Optimize your Google My Business by ensuring that all the information from your GBL is accurate. Triple check:

Listed phone number
Address
Website
Business hours
Respond to reviews

Try to use local keywords on your website and within your listing so your restaurant always appears at the top of the Google Search!

97% of consumers say reviews
influence their buying decision.

Young girl wearing red lipstick, black and white plaid shirt and jeans holding a tablet with word bubbles around her that say great services, superfine, I am happy, high quality, five stars, very good, top notch, superb, excellent, impressive, and p…

4. Google Reviews

Maintaining your Google Reviews is extremely important if you want to be successful on Google. It is important to have a high rating, good reviews, and remember to always respond to reviews that are both good and bad.

Google released an official statement saying, “high-quality, positive reviews from your customers will improve your business’s visibility and increase the likelihood that a potential customer will visit your location.”

Responding to reviews will not only show that you value your customers’ feedback and are open to hearing ways to enhance their experience for the future, but positive reviews will make your restaurant more visible when customers are searching.

5. Google Images

Don’t forget the importance of using images! Make your restaurant stand out from the competition by attracting hungry users with delicious photos of your menu items.

Luckily, Google has created a document recommending different ways to showcase your business’ interior, exterior, and images of your food and beverage to give prospective customers a genuine feel for your business before giving it a try.