How AI Can Help Optimize Reputation Management (Infographic)

In restaurants, happy customers are crucial to the mission. This is not only true because happy customers become repeat customers, but it’s also true because happy customers leave good reviews. Online reviews can make or break a business, and patrons check the reviews before deciding to dine at your establishment. That’s not to say a few bad reviews are going to tank your business, though. It’s all in how you handle them.

Getting happy customers to leave good reviews takes more than just a sign at the cash register or a note on the receipt. When your customers use emailed receipts, there’s an opportunity there to request a review while they are already at the computer. But outside of that, simply asking people how their experience was and asking for a review online is a great start.

Bad reviews online are not the end of the world, either. Bad reviews are just opportunities to make things right. Customers only want to feel heard, and when you respond to a negative review that you’d like a chance to make things right, not only does that give you another shot at that customer, but you also have an opportunity to show potential customers who may be reading the reviews that you are serious about your service.

Bad reviews can actually make your restaurant show up farther down in search results, which can prevent people from even finding your business. A jump from three to five stars online can give your restaurant 25 percent more online views. This means that looking after your online reviews is critical to the long-term success of your business.

A good online reputation not only boosts your online views, it also converts potential customers into patrons and makes you stand out from your competitors. Learn more about the importance of your restaurant’s online reputation, as well as how to boost it, below.