Which statement do you find more compelling: “We offer fine dining and event hosting” or “We’ve tried several restaurants in the area, and as far as we’re concerned, this is the only place to go for fine dining Harrisburg, Pennsylvania style”?
If you’re like most people, you’re more interested in reading about the experiences of real life customers than in reading a generic list of what a restaurant offers. Customer testimonials on your website can play a huge role in your online marketing.
To get as many testimonials as possible, give your customers multiple ways to let you know they are satisfied.
Comment Cards
Many restaurants use old-fashioned comment cards. They may place the cards on the tables where customers can see them, or they may have the wait staff deliver the card along with the check. The only problem with comment cards is that they have a very low rate of return. Even people who loved your restaurant probably won’t take the time to write about it and drop a card in the mailbox.
If you’ve hosted a special local event, make the extra effort to mail comment cards to the participants a few days later and ask them to take a moment to give you their feedback. Statements like, “This restaurant did a great job with my wedding reception. Harrisburg, PA is the best place in the world to get married,” can encourage other event planners to work with you.
Online Surveys
There are many websites that host surveys. You provide the customer with the web address and a password or key, and they can answer questions and make comments about your food and services. Online surveys are attractive because most of the hosting sites will allow you to give customers who participate a small reward, such as a coupon for a free drink or a discount on his or her next meal.
Host a Guest Book on Your Website
An online guest book is a page on your website where customers can leave their names and comments about their experiences with your establishment. They are quick, easy-to-use, and do not require a password. You can choose whether you want to make your guest book comments live immediately or screen them first. Most businesses choose to screen comments before making them live in case a patron posts a harsh criticism, an irrelevant rant, or an obscenity.
Use Social Media
Social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+, are great places to capture positive comments about your restaurant. If you have a Facebook business page, for instance, you can allow customers to write on your wall.
Again, it’s a good idea to check the comments on a regular basis and make sure that they are positive. If you receive a negative comment, contact the customer directly and try to make the situation right.
Customer testimonials can draw guests to your restaurant. Be sure to place them prominently on your website.
This is a guest post by blogger Stephanie who writes about planning a wedding reception, Harrisburg, PA, and online marketing.