In the digital era, the food industry in the MENA region is a competitive space that requires a unique strategy to market and stand out among the crowd. As we know, people are attracted to high-end, tech-driven restaurants that offer exceptional taste and quality.
Due to a similar reason, the Middle East culinary landscape is bringing innovative food and beverage trends to the region.
Thus, we have curated the top restaurant marketing ideas that will boost your revenues like no other!
Stick to Brand Identity
When it comes to restaurant marketing, brand identity plays a significant role. That is why established restaurants stick to their brand images and create marketing strategies accordingly. This approach ensures that customers will remember their unique dining experience and want to enjoy it every time they think of dining out.
With the following steps, you can run an effective marketing strategy for your restaurant:
- Curate a mission statement that concludes your eatery’s purpose and existence, such as “to serve original Mediterranean taste”, “best place for healthy food”, etc.
- Brand strategy matters most in the food and beverage market. The restaurant must determine optimal pricing, locations, and the most attention-grabbing promotions.
- While communicating with consumers on every platform, be it social media or in-person, ensure polite, helpful, and professional transmission, as this strategy will carve your brand voice.
- Aesthetics and ambiance are the first things customers feel and observe, so work very hard on them to align them with the brand’s vision and mission.
All these steps ensure a solid brand identity and assist in creating unique marketing strategies as well.
Responsive and Optimised Website
We all know the power of social media and online searching; it’s not a new or hidden trend. And when it comes to food, diners ensure to check social presence and Google reviews before going to any restaurant. This online thing is one of the best opportunities for digital marketers to reach new customers.
Thus, restaurants need to maintain a responsive website and a positive social presence to attract more clients. At this stage, SEO is another important aspect that businesses must consider, as it allows them to rank high on search engines and make them more visible to the target audiences.
Professional Food Photography
An old saying, “people eat with their eyes first,” is absolutely true in this era, as people are attracted to the visual appearance and colors when it comes to food. So, if your restaurant has the most flavorful food, but your photography is not professional, less colorful, your business is going to face a serious decline in footfall and sales.
Many digital marketing agencies offer professional photography services, and if you want to boost your restaurant business, do consult them for better marketing plans.
Always Upload the Latest Menu Online!
As we know, potential restaurant searchers are hungry and looking for the best menu not only according to their taste but also their pockets. And it is data proven that users who visit restaurant websites 70%-80% of them order food.
An updated online menu serves as a converting document in that case. If prices are affordable, photography is professional and tempting, consumers get hooked, and order immediately. So, use the best practices and always keep your menu updated.
Never Miss Smart Promotions
In the food and beverage business, word of mouth and marketing are the only strategies that attract loyal clients. And what could be better than promotions on third-party food delivery apps like Uber Eats, Talabat, etc.
Promotions or advertisements on such platforms would be a smart move, as they will display your restaurant to the millions of target audiences, which ensures high chances of conversion. However, their pricing could be a challenging part, as third-party food delivery apps’ promotions are a bit costly.
Leverage Google Business Directories
Local user searches often consist of keywords and search terms like “best restaurant in town”, “reviews of specific restaurants, etc. and their results are restaurants that are listed on Google directories. So it is high time to leverage Google business profiles and be visible to all the local foodies.
This strategy also allows users to add Google reviews to the restaurants, which makes your eatery more prominent among competitors.
Focus on Social Media Engagement and Reach
Having a social media account is not a big deal, but “active socials” are a big deal! It requires a lot of marketing strategy to engage target audiences. This is the era when information and ads are flooding users’ mobile screens, and in that rush, only unique and creative marketing tactics hook the target audience.
So, keep your followers busy with interactive posts, reels, or stories. This strategy brings more reach and user engagement. Restaurant businesses can also leverage giveaways or hashtag challenges to attract more customers.
