Facebook is the most popular social media application and any restaurant wishing to succeed should 100% have a business page on Facebook. Do not use your personal Facebook page to promote your business! Create a new one specifically for your restaurant. Facebook can be a great tool for advertising your restaurant to new customers as well as keeping regular customers up to date with new menu items and promotional deals.
We would recommend the following strategies for maintaining a successful Facebook page:
Facebook Tips
- Have an Appealing Cover Image
- Use the About and Tab Section Appropriately
- Promote with Photos and Deals
- Engage with Customers
1. Appealing Cover ImageYou have a lot of space for a cover image so make sure to use a very nice, perfectly fitting photo in the space. Popular choices are either a favorite dish that looks particularly appealing or a photo of people having fun at your restaurant. Make sure the photo is high quality. Also it is a good idea to label the photo if it is a particular menu item, so customers know.
2. Using About and Tabs SectionMake sure you include the following in your About Section:
- Contact information including phone number and website address
- Hours of operation
- Type of food
- Price Range
- Any other information you think necessary
The Tab Section can be used to provide information about any contests, upcoming specials, or events. You can also add particularly appealing photos. Make sure to hide the fan count.
3. Promote with Photos and DealsWe would recommend posting a few times a day to stay relevant in people’s newsfeed. These posts should be mostly promotional rather than informational. The best way to do this is to post high quality photos, either of food or of people enjoying themselves at your restaurant. Another way is to offer specials at certain hours or remind followers of certain weekly deals or coupons. You can also repost any followers’ positive reviews about your spot.
4. Engage with CustomersIf a customer comments on one of your images or asks a question about one of your deals, make sure to respond to them in a timely manner. Customers love feeling like someone cares about them and is actually reading what they post. Responding and engaging with customers is a great way to build a loyal base.
For more tips and tricks on making an effective Facebook page check out these resources: