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The Importance of Social Media for your Restaurant

The COVID pandemic amplified the importance of being present on social media. At an isolated and confusing time, restaurant owners were able to communicate effectively with their customers. As businesses operate back to usual, this social media trend is here to stay.

Not only is social media used to communicate with current customers, but it is a way to generate awareness, as well as quality leads. For example, if your customer takes a picture of your food or visits your restaurant and “tags” your account, their social network will then become aware of your business. Besides the optional use of ad placements, the sites are completely free, so why not leverage them for your business?

First and foremost, every restaurant should be on Facebook and Instagram. These two platforms have the highest amount of active users. They offer businesses ways to convert viewers into customers, and ultimately drive sales for your restaurant. Be sure to be on the “Business Page” setting on the platforms, which allows for greater customization.

Why Your Business Should be on Facebook

with a business facebook you can:

  • Build A Community - Facebook offers a variety of free features to engage with your customers. You can post updates, pictures and videos to communicate with your customers. You can also message them directly.
  • Use Business Tools - Facebook offers free business tools that can further enhance your Page and help you achieve your goals. You can create events, manage appointments, and sell your products directly on your Page.
  • Understand Your Customers - Facebook offers free Page Insights to help you understand the actions that people take on your Page. You can learn what your customers care about and how often they interact with posts on your Page.

Why Your Business Should be on Instagram

  • You can work with influencers - There are thousands of food influencers. They range from micro-influencers with 2,000 followers to huge accounts of 150,000. Fact: 49% of consumers count on influencer recommendations when making purchasing decisions.
  • You can use geotags & Hashtags to attract new customers - One of Instagram’s key benefits is how easy it is for users to find new accounts to follow. Unlike Facebook where you have to actively seek out content, Instagram suggests posts you might like in the “Explore” feed. Hashtags are another great way to attract new customers. You can use local hashtags with your business name, street, neighborhood, or city to help people nearby find you.
  • It’s visually appealing - Instagram is the best platform for restaurants because it is visual. People are more inclined to scroll through pictures than articles, menus, and words.

Resources:

www.facebook.com/business/learn/lessons/why-your-business-needs-a-facebook-page

www.franchising.com/articles/7_reasons_you_must_use_instagram_for_your_restaurant.html