Even if you're not a Yelper, you've probably heard of the search directory, landed on one of its "Top 10 best XXX" lists, or have been asked to leave a review on the platform. It's one of the nation's most popular online review sites that's been around since 2004, with almost 80 million unique monthly mobile searches. Yelp for restaurants and other businesses is an effective way to list information, connect with customers, and receive organic, authentic feedback about the quality of their products or services.
As an advertising platform, Yelp for restaurants is often overlooked by local business owners. But, it could be an excellent resource for generating local leads.
As certified Yelp advertising partners, we're huge advocates of the platform and love to see our clients thrive in their lead generation efforts.
What is Yelp for Restaurants, and what are its features
Yelp for restaurants is a powerful marketing tool that can help you attract new guests and grow your business. With Yelp for restaurants, you can manage your Yelp listing, claim your business, and respond to reviews while simultaneously promoting your business, events, and specials. Yelp for restaurants is an essential tool for any business that wants to create a strong presence, connect with new customers, and succeed on Yelp.
Features included as part of Yelp for restaurants:
- Reservations and waitlists in one place
to keep your check-in process streamlined. Yelp Waitlist enables customers to see how long the wait is for a table at your restaurant in real-time and then add their name to the list from your Yelp listing.
- Do more with less staff
, especially during these challenging times. It's challenging to manage a reservation book, take phone calls, and monitor a waitlist all at the same time. Yelp Reservations helps you do all three from one integrated platform.
- Real-time communication
to seat more guests and prevent cancellations. Last-minute cancellations are frustrating, but with Yelp Reservations, you can easily offer guests on the waitlist an earlier table.
- Deliver a personalized experience
to your customers. No matter how busy your restaurant gets, you can send automatic text updates to guests about their status with Yelp Waitlist and Reservations. Integrate with your restaurant's POS systems to give guests the ultimate tailored experience.
How to create a Yelp for Restaurants account
Yelp For Restaurants makes it easy to manage your Yelp Business Page from your phone or desktop. As a business owner, you need to be on Yelp to control your business information, interact with customers, and promote your business to Yelp's colossal community. Here's how to create a Yelp for Restaurants account in just a few steps:
- Go to , https://biz.yelp.com/
and click "Claim Your Business"
- Enter your business phone number or email address
- Search for your business and claim it
- Verify your business through Yelp by phone or mail
- Start generating leads on Yelp!
How to optimize your Yelp for Restaurants profile
As part of our onboarding process for Yelp clients, we optimize their business profile to make sure it's ready to generate leads. If you're not working with a Yelp partner like us, here are some tips on how you can optimize your Yelp for Restaurants profile:
- Add photos and videos
: Photos and videos are essential for attracting customers on Yelp. Through visuals, customers can get a feel for your restaurant's atmosphere and style. Add high-quality photos and videos that show off your best features.
- Fill out your business information:
Customers need to know basic information about your restaurant before they visit, such as your address, hours, and menu. Be sure to fill out all the fields in your business profile so that potential customers have everything they need to know.
- Add specials and events:
Customers love finding great deals, so be sure to add any specials or events that you're offering. This is a great way to attract new customers and keep them coming back.
- Respond to reviews:
Reviews are an essential part of your Yelp profile, and they can have a significant impact on your business. Be sure to respond to all reviews, both positive and negative. This shows that you're engaging with customers and takes care of any potential problems.
- Promote your business:
Once you've optimized your profile, it's time to promote your business on Yelp. Be sure to take advantage of Yelp's advertising options to reach even more customers.
With these tips, you can ensure that your Yelp for Restaurants profile is optimized for lead generation. For more tips on generating leads on Yelp,
check out our post about PPC advertising.
How to generate leads from Yelp for Restaurants
Every restaurant knows that generating leads is essential for growth. And with Yelp for Restaurants, you have a powerful lead generation tool at your disposal. Here are some tips on how to generate leads from Yelp:
- Use keywords in your business information:
When potential customers search for restaurants on Yelp, they use keywords. Include keywords in your business information, such as your business name, description, and categories designed to help potential customers find your restaurant on Yelp.
- Get organic customer reviews:
Customer reviews are one of the most important factors that influence whether someone will visit your restaurant. The more reviews you have, positive or negative, the more likely it is that someone will choose your restaurant for their next meal.
- Use Yelp Ads:
, Yelp Ads
are a great way to generate leads from Yelp. You can target potential customers with ads that appear when they search for restaurants on Yelp.
- Claim your business page:
Claiming your business page on Yelp is essential for managing your restaurant's online presence. Once you claim your page, you'll be able to respond to customer reviews, add photos and specials, and update your business information.
- Use Yelp for Business Owners:
Yelp is an excellent resource for restaurant owners looking to generate leads from Yelp. It provides tips on using Yelp to market your restaurant and attract customers.
Yelp for Restaurants can drastically change your lead generation strategy
At the end of the day, Yelp for Restaurants is a powerful lead generation tool that every restaurant should be using. With its massive audience and ability to target potential customers, Yelp can help you attract new customers and grow your business. So if you're not already using Yelp for Restaurants, now is the time to start.