How to Get More Customers with Google Business Profile: A Step-by-Step Guide for Restaurants

Alex
May 8
2 min read

If your restaurant isn’t showing up when someone Googles “best food near me,” you’re missing out on a massive stream of potential customers. Over 80% of diners search online before deciding where to eat—and Google Business Profile is the #1 place they look.

In this quick guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to optimize your Google Business Profile so your restaurant stands out and attracts more diners. It takes less than 10 minutes to set up—and the results can be huge. It's time to get more customers with Google Business Profile!

🔧 Step 1: Claim and Verify Your Profile

If you haven’t claimed your Google Business Profile, start here.➡️ Go to google.com/business, search for your restaurant, and request ownership.

Then verify it via postcard, phone, or email. Until it’s verified, you won’t be able to edit key details or appear reliably in local searches.

📝 Step 2: Optimize Your Business Info

Google wants to show relevant and complete listings to searchers. Make sure to:

Enter your restaurant’s full name, address, and phone number (NAP)
Add your business hours—including special holiday hours
Select the most specific category possible (e.g. “Taco Restaurant” instead of just “Restaurant”)

These small details influence how and when you show up in local results.

📸 Step 3: Add High-Quality Photos & Your Menu

Restaurants with high-quality photos get more clicks and calls—period. Upload:

Mouthwatering shots of your food
Interior and exterior images
Your team and behind-the-scenes action

Also, add your menu directly to your profile so customers can browse without leaving the page. You can link to a PDF or input individual items.

⭐ Step 4: Get More Reviews

Reviews are one of the biggest ranking factors for local search.

Encourage happy customers to leave a 5-star review by:

Asking in person at checkout
Using table tents or receipts with QR codes
Sending follow-up texts or emails with a direct link

And always respond to reviews—good or bad. It shows that you’re active and care about your guests.

📰 Step 5: Post Regular Updates

Use Google Posts like a mini social media feed:

Share upcoming events, promos, and specials
Highlight new dishes or seasonal items
Announce closures or holiday hours

Google rewards fresh content, and this helps keep your listing active and engaging.

🚀 Your Next Steps to Get More Customers with Google Business Profile

If you’ve followed these steps, your restaurant is now positioned to show up higher in Google results and attract more customers online. Google Business Profile is free, takes minutes to optimize, and gives you a big competitive edge.

🔗 Need help with your restaurant’s digital marketing? Subscribe to our YouTube channel at ONE AM Marketing on YouTube and get weekly strategies to grow your business.