How to obtain customer reviews in restaurants?

The gastronomy industry has recently been facing a huge crisis. This particularly applies to stationary restaurants. There are fewer customers. Those who use this type of service usually check restaurant reviews before deciding to visit. On one hand, this is a difficulty. On the other hand, websites and online profiles are currently experiencing a real siege. And this is a good opportunity to effectively promote yourself.

If you offer food delivery, you have been building your online reputation for a long time. However, now you are facing much greater competition. Do you want to know how to take care of your reputation and not lose customers? Get positive reviews. We will show you how to do it.

Where can customers leave restaurant reviews?

Your customers can leave comments on your website. However, it is also important to take care of your presence on Google Maps. The majority of consumers interested in the gastronomy offer use this platform. They can find local restaurants in their area thanks to it.

In addition, you will need profiles on social media. Managing them requires some effort. However, it is not only a good tool for collecting opinions, but also a great way to promote yourself.

Ask for a review at the right moment

When a waiter asks for a review after a visit to the restaurant, it is perceived as pushy. It looks much better to have a small note in the menu or a business card with a request for a comment attached to the bill.

Getting a review from a customer who orders food online is even easier. Restaurants can send an order confirmation or information about its acceptance. The first method involves including a request for a review at this moment. However, it is worth supplementing it with a second method and sending the customer a short email asking if they enjoyed the food. If so, the path to a positive comment is open.

Are you collecting customer reviews in restaurants? Give a reason

Requests for customer reviews in restaurants should be polite, short, and concise. A few sentences are enough. However, the reason for collecting reviews should be mentioned. Emphasize that the customer's opinion is important to you. Explain how it will affect the way your restaurant operates. Use this moment for promotional activities. Mention that your restaurant strives to cater to the tastes of customers and offers them delicious food and professional, friendly service.

Specify how much time it will take for the customer to leave a review

Time is extremely valuable nowadays. People do not want to spend it on someone else's interests. Therefore, show professionalism and write how many minutes or seconds it will take to leave a review. Of course, you cannot calculate it precisely. However, an approximate value will help the customer assess whether it is a significant sacrifice on their part.

Ask auxiliary questions

Consumers often do not leave reviews because they do not know what to write about. Therefore, formulate a few questions that will stimulate their imagination. Ask if the restaurant's decor met their expectations. When ordering online, ask a similar question about delivery time. Be sure to add a question about the taste of the food and the behavior of your staff. This is enough to create an honest review of the restaurant.

Make leaving a review easier

Above all, the customer must know that leaving a review is their choice. Therefore, a request for a review of a restaurant or catering company should be discreet and tactful. However, wherever reviews can be left, it can be made easier. It is worth creating a short link that redirects to the review form page. This way, you will save your customers' time and show them respect.

How to encourage leaving a review?

There is nothing wrong with helping consumers make a decision to leave a review. How to do it? Offer a small benefit.

Do you deliver pizza? Offer a discount on the next online order. Do you offer take-out meals? Include a free drink. Free delivery is also a great idea. You don't need extensive scientific research to know that people are more willing to cooperate if they benefit from it. Use this fact and enjoy a higher reputation than before.