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More Google reviews for your restaurant? 7 practical tips

google review restaurant verzamelen

A great restaurant is about more than just delicious food and excellent hospitality. Your online reputation also plays an important role. Before booking a table, guests often check the experiences of previous visitors. What do people think of the food and menu? Is the staff friendly? And what do other guests say about their visit?

While people previously relied mainly on Google and Google Maps to find restaurants, they are now also using AI tools such as ChatGPT to discover new places to eat. Online reviews can be a valuable source of information in this process. A well-maintained Google Business Profile with recent reviews also helps build trust with potential guests.

However, satisfied guests often forget to leave a review after their visit. Fortunately, there are several ways to make this easier. With these seven practical tips, you’ll discover how to get more Google reviews for your restaurant.

Why are Google reviews important for restaurants?

When someone searches for a nearby restaurant on Google, various restaurants often appear in the search results and on Google Maps. These listings show information such as the average star rating and the number of reviews. A restaurant with plenty of recent reviews can be more appealing to potential guests. Reviews provide an insight into the quality of the food, service and atmosphere, helping people compare different restaurants.

But guests no longer rely solely on Google to find restaurants. AI tools such as ChatGPT are also being used to discover places to eat. Think of questions like ‘What’s a good Italian restaurant in Amsterdam?’ or ‘Where can I enjoy a meal out with my family?’. When answering these questions, AI systems may use online information, including reviews and experiences shared by guests.

This makes a strong online reputation increasingly important. Recent, trustworthy reviews can contribute to the information available about your restaurant online. However, more positive reviews do not automatically lead to an \AI recommendation\.

Reviews also remain important for your visibility on Google. Google states that having more reviews and positive ratings can contribute to a business’s local search visibility. A complete and up-to-date Google Business Profile also plays a role. The aim shouldn’t necessarily be to receive only five-star reviews. A collection of honest experiences gives future guests a more realistic impression of your restaurant.

Besides Google, other review platforms also play an important role in the hospitality industry. One example is \Tripadvisor\, where guests share their experiences of restaurants, hotels and other hospitality venues. This platform can also help restaurants build and maintain their online reputation.

1. Ask guests for a review at the right moment

The best time to ask for a review is when a guest’s experience is still fresh in their mind. For example, when presenting the bill or as guests are leaving after an enjoyable meal. A member of staff can naturally ask whether they would like to share their experience on Google. For example: ‘Thank you for visiting! If you have a moment, we’d really appreciate it if you could share your experience on Google.’

Keep the request personal and optional. It’s important that all guests have the opportunity to leave an honest review, whether they’ve had a positive or negative experience. By regularly asking for feedback, you can naturally build up a steady stream of new reviews.

2. Make it as easy as possible to leave a review

The more steps someone has to go through, the less likely they are to leave a review. If guests have to search for your \restaurant on Google Maps\, open the correct business profile and then find the review form, it takes unnecessary time.

Fortunately, you can get a \direct review link\ from your Google Business Profile. This makes it easy to take guests straight to the page where they can write their review. You can share this link via email, a digital receipt or a thank-you message after a reservation. A \Google Review card\ is another simple way to direct guests to the right page. All they need to do is scan the card with their smartphone to leave a review. This makes reviewing your restaurant much easier.

3. Place a QR code somewhere visible

A QR code is a practical way to direct guests straight to the review form. With a simple scan, guests can easily share their experience. Another option is a Google Review NFC display. These tabletop displays can be placed on the bar, at the till or near the exit.

Wizard Card’s Google Review displays feature both a QR code and NFC technology, allowing guests to choose how they access the review page. Make sure guests immediately understand what the QR code is for. A short message such as ‘How was your visit? Share your experience on Google’ makes it clear what to expect. Placement is also important. A clearly visible display is more likely to catch someone’s attention than a small card tucked away in a corner.

4. Make collecting reviews even easier with NFC

In addition to a QR code, you can also use NFC to collect reviews. NFC is a technology that allows you to share information wirelessly by holding a compatible smartphone close to a chip. You’ll probably recognise this technology from contactless payments. With a Google Review display, guests simply hold their phone near the display. A notification then appears, allowing them to open the review page directly.

Wizard Card’s displays combine NFC with a QR code, giving guests the freedom to choose whichever method they prefer. For restaurants, these displays are particularly useful on the bar, at the till or in a prominent position near the exit. They can also be customised to match your restaurant’s branding. This makes collecting reviews a recognisable part of your restaurant without being intrusive.

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5. Involve your staff in collecting reviews

Your staff interact with guests every day, so they can play an important role in collecting reviews. Explain to your team why feedback is valuable and how they can politely encourage guests to share their experiences. There’s no need to use the same scripted phrase at every table. A personal approach is much better suited to the hospitality of a restaurant. Also, make sure your staff know where to find the review link or Google Review display.

Avoid offering guests rewards in exchange for reviews, and don’t ask only satisfied customers to leave feedback. Google does not allow these types of practices. The aim is to collect genuine, honest reviews.

6. Respond to both positive and negative reviews

Collecting reviews is important, but don’t forget to respond to them. When a guest takes the time to leave feedback, a personal response shows that you appreciate their effort. Thank guests for their positive experiences and make sure you respond to negative reviews as well. When dealing with complaints, remain professional and offer a suitable solution wherever possible. A negative review doesn’t necessarily have to damage your online reputation. In fact, the way you handle it can demonstrate that you take complaints seriously. Potential guests may also read these responses. By actively replying to reviews, you show that you care about your guests’ experiences. If responding to every review takes too much time, you can also automate the process.

7. Make collecting reviews part of your daily routine

Many restaurants only ask for reviews occasionally, for example after a busy weekend or when a guest spontaneously shares positive feedback. By making review collection a regular part of your daily operations, you increase the chances of receiving new reviews consistently. For example, place a review display in a permanent location and make sure your staff know how it works. Also, regularly check that the link to your Google Business Profile is still working correctly. Keep an eye on your reviews on Google Maps as well. Don’t just focus on the number of reviews or your average star rating, but pay particular attention to what guests are saying. Are guests happy with the service? Is a particular dish mentioned frequently? Or do the same areas for improvement keep coming up?

You can use this feedback to improve your service. This way, reviews not only contribute to your visibility in search results but also provide valuable insights for your restaurant’s day-to-day operations.

Want to get more Google reviews for your restaurant?

Getting more Google reviews doesn’t have to be complicated. By asking guests at the right moment, making the review process as simple as possible and actively responding to feedback, you increase the chances of guests sharing their experiences. Want to make it even easier for your guests? With Wizard Card’s Google Review cards and displays, guests can access your restaurant’s review page directly using NFC or a QR code. The products can be customised to match your restaurant’s branding and come pre-programmed, so they’re ready to use straight away.

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