Your restaurant website is much more than just a digital menu—it’s a powerful tool for increasing reservations, driving online orders, and fostering customer engagement. However, even the most beautifully designed website won’t reach its full potential without active involvement from your team. Training your staff to actively promote your website can significantly boost traffic, enhance the customer experience, and ultimately increase your restaurant’s revenue.
1. Educate Staff on Website Features
Before your team can effectively promote your website, they need to understand how it works:
- Show how online reservations, orders, and loyalty programs work on the website. Make sure they can confidently guide guests through the process.
- Highlight menu updates, seasonal specials, and ongoing promotions: Staff should be aware of any changes or limited-time offers available exclusively online.
- Demonstrate the website's design and brand: Ensure your team understands how the website aligns with the restaurant’s identity and the guest experience.
RocketPages Resource: The Ultimate Restaurant Website Checklist: From Menus to Mobile UX
2. Encourage Verbal Promotion
Your team can help promote your website during everyday customer interactions:
- Suggest online reservations when guests call for bookings or arrive in person. Encourage them to use your website for convenience and special perks.
- Point out online-only specials during dining, such as exclusive discounts or promotions available on your website.
- Highlight QR code menus: Train staff to encourage customers to scan QR codes that link to your website for an interactive menu experience.
RocketPages Insight: Why Link-in-Bio Isn’t Enough: The Case for Restaurant Websites
External Reference: Toast: How Staff Can Help Drive Restaurant Marketing
3. Incentivize Website Promotion
Motivating staff to actively promote the website can be incredibly effective. Consider offering:
- Small bonuses or recognition: Reward employees who can track customers mentioning they booked online or ordered through the website.
- Performance metrics: Track online orders and reservations originating from staff referrals and reward top promoters.
- Incorporate website promotion in performance reviews: Make promoting the website part of staff evaluations to keep the focus on digital engagement.
RocketPages Resource: The Restaurant Marketing Funnel: How Your Website Brings Diners to Your Door
4. Integrate Website Promotion Into Daily Operations
Incorporate website promotion into your team's workflow to make it second nature:
- Mention the website during order confirmations or when presenting the bill to customers. A simple “Don’t forget to check out our exclusive online menu and deals!” can go a long way.
- Add subtle reminders: Use receipts, table tents, or even napkin holders to promote your website. A gentle nudge can remind customers to visit after their meal.
- Encourage staff to share your restaurant’s social media posts: Linking social media efforts with your website can drive traffic and engage followers who might not have known about your online services.
RocketPages Insight: Cut the Middleman: Future-Proof Your Restaurant With Direct Website Inquiries
5. Use Training Tools and Role-Playing
Hands-on practice helps your staff feel confident when talking about your website:
- Conduct role-playing sessions where staff practice promoting the website in different scenarios (e.g., suggesting online ordering to a guest at the counter).
- Provide cheat sheets or quick reference guides: These can include website highlights, QR codes for easy scanning, and key messaging points.
- Encourage staff to practice: Make sure everyone feels confident in talking about the website’s features and can smoothly answer any questions guests may have.
External Reference: Upserve: Staff Training for Restaurant Marketing
Conclusion
Your staff can be your best website ambassadors. By educating them about the features of your website, integrating promotion into everyday operations, incentivizing referrals, and using practical training tools, you can significantly increase online traffic, reservations, and customer engagement. Well-trained staff not only enhance the dining experience but also actively contribute to the growth of your restaurant’s digital presence and overall revenue.
Empower your team, and watch how their involvement can take your website—and your restaurant—further than ever before.
