Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful free online tools restaurants can use to attract more local customers.
Not only does Google Business Profile provide restaurants with an opportunity to appear at the top of Google Search and Google Maps results, but it also offers a range of features that can help restaurants convert more leads into paying customers. These include the options to enable online reservations and allow online ordering directly through Google Business Profile.
How To Add Online Ordering to Google Business Profile for Restaurants
Restaurants can manage online ordering options on Google Business Profile via Order with Google, allowing users to order food for pickup or delivery via Google Search and Google Maps.
Order with Google partners with various third-party providers, allowing restaurants to choose their preferred provider before adding a custom ordering link to their Google Business Profile.
Here's how restaurants can enable food ordering on Google Business Profile:
- Go to your Google Business Profile
- Select "Food Ordering" from the menu (found under "Edit Profile" in Google Maps)
- Go to "Accept Orders on your profile," then turn "Food Ordering" on
- Choose a preferred provider or link from the list and select "Set as preferred"
- Toggle the selection between pickup and delivery as desired
This will display a custom ordering link for your chosen provider(s) on your Google Business Profile. Depending on the country, this may appear as an "Order online" button or a "Place an order" link.
Note that you can remove a chosen third-party order provider from your Google Business Profile at any time by going back into the"Food Ordering" settings and selecting "Remove provider." Keep in mind that it can take up to five days for the ordering link to disappear from your Business Profile.
What Are the Benefits of Accepting Food Orders Through Google Business Profile?
Accepting food orders through Google Business Profile offers several major benefits for restaurants:
- Convenience for Customers
- Integration with Popular Ordering Platforms
- Improved Customer Engagement
- Insights into Customer Behavior
- Competitive Advantage
- Increased Sales and Revenue
1. Convenience for Customers
Customers appreciate the convenience of being able to place orders without having to navigate away from their search results or open additional apps. This streamlined ordering process can lead to higher customer satisfaction and repeat business.
2. Integration with Popular Ordering Platforms
Google Business Profile integrates with popular food delivery and ordering platforms that many people are already familiar with. This integration allows restaurants to manage orders more efficiently and provides customers with well-known and trusted options for food ordering.
3. Improved Customer Engagement
Accepting orders through Google Business Profile can boost customer engagement with the Business Profile, providing an easy and direct way to interact with the restaurant. Customers can see real-time updates on menu items, special offers, and availability all in one place, which can drive more orders.
4. Insights into Customer Behavior
Google Business Profile Insights offer valuable data on customer behavior and engagement. Restaurants can track metrics such as how many people are clicking the order button, which menu items are most popular, and peak ordering times. This data can inform marketing strategies and operational decisions.
5. Competitive Advantage
Restaurants that adopt online ordering through Google Business Profile can gain a competitive edge over those that do not. Being able to meet customers where they are searching and provide a seamless ordering experience can set a restaurant apart in a crowded market.
6. Increased Sales and Revenue
Ultimately, the convenience and flexibility offered by accepting orders through Google Business Profile can lead to increased sales and revenue. By removing barriers to ordering and making the process as simple as possible, restaurants can capture more business from both new and returning customers in the nearby area.
The Takeaway
Enabling ordering on Google Business Profile can help restaurants optimize their profiles to improve engagement and convert more leads by providing a seamless ordering experience for customers.
While having online ordering turned on or off doesn't directly affect your local search rankings, it can definitely set your restaurant apart from its competitors.
If given a choice between two top-rated, high-ranking restaurants on Google or Google Maps, one of which has online ordering enabled and one of which doesn't, customers are much more likely to choose the one that offers orders directly through Google Business Profile!