5 Essential Tips to Boosgt Your Restaurant Reservations

Not Adding the Link to Google

Placing your reservation link on Google My Business ensures that your information syncs with Google Maps. This lets customers immediately see your restaurant’s address and reservation link when searching for you. A seamless reservation experience encourages more customers to book. The link will appear in Google search results as long as the link is there.

Not Adding the Link to Your Restaurant’s LINE Official Account

Suppose you’ve invested time in setting up a LINE Official Account (LINE OA), creating physical displays, or promoting the addition of LINE friends through Facebook posts but forgot to include the reservation link in the LINE Rich Menu. In that case, that’s an ample missed opportunity!

For instance, restaurant owner Judy has just released a new seasonal dish. In addition to having staff promote it to customers when taking orders, she wants to attract more customers through LINE notifications before they enter the restaurant.

When Sam, a customer, receives the message, he’s immediately interested and wants to check if there’s a spot available soon. He quickly finds the reservation link in the Rich Menu of the LINE chat. What do you think he’ll do next?

If the link hadn’t been there, the customer might have had to search for the restaurant’s phone number on Google, potentially getting sidetracked by other notifications or being unable to reach the restaurant. These distractions can diminish the customer’s willingness or memory to make a reservation. This is where the LINE Rich Menu shines; it keeps customers focused on booking.

Not Adding an Online Real-Time Menu

A real-time menu syncs instantly with your in-store POS system. Whether you’ve added a new dish or an item has just sold out, the changes are immediately reflected for customers considering a reservation.

An online real-time menu allows customers to explore your offerings while booking, building anticipation for their visit. The "real-time" feature helps maintain that anticipation, reducing no-shows without requiring customers to prepay a deposit.

Does the standard "Welcome to our account" greeting message sound familiar? As consumers, we often ignore it. Many customers who add a restaurant’s LINE OA will delete it after their first visit unless they’re regulars.

Not Using the Welcome Message through LINE to Introduce Your Specialties

The first message of your LINE account is likely the only chance to introduce your restaurant to the customer.

We recommend using this opportunity to "highlight your restaurant’s specialties or signature dishes,” things customers won’t know until they dine in. This can pique their interest. Alternatively, you can share tips when ordering in your restaurant, such as how to order for different group sizes or the special deals available for larger parties.

Maximize every interaction with your customers. Use automation tools to handle these tasks, freeing more time to serve your customers.

Not Choosing a Reservation System that Offers a Free Trial

One common oversight when selecting a reservation system is "not trying it out first" (or not having the option to do so).

There are many reservation systems out there. Which ones have user-friendly interfaces? Which are designed specifically for restaurants? Which integrates seamlessly with POS systems? Which companies offer customer service that provides answers? A system with a trial period allows you to test its features and ensure it’s the right fit for your needs.

Otherwise, you might be locked into a six-month or one-year contract, wasting staff training costs.

If your current reservation system doesn’t allow real-time synchronization between your on-site POS and your online menu, check out iCHEF Reservation Management, which offers a free trial with no monthly fees.