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More InfoAs a restaurant owner, attracting new customers is essential for growing your business. But with so many marketing options available, it can be tough to decide where to focus your efforts and budget. Fortunately, Google Ads and Facebook Ads provide a powerful way to reach potential diners in your local area—and the best part? You don’t need to be a marketing expert to get started.
Whether you run a family-owned pizza joint, a trendy bistro, or a cozy café, these platforms allow you to target the right audience—those who are ready to eat and just happen to be nearby. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to use Google Ads and Facebook Ads to bring more customers through your door, while also sharing tips on how to maximize your ad campaigns.
Why Google Ads and Facebook Ads Are Crucial for Restaurants
Before we dive into the “how-to” of setting up ads, it’s helpful to understand why Google Ads and Facebook Ads are so beneficial for restaurants.
- Google Ads: When people are hungry or looking for something specific to eat, they don’t scroll through their Instagram feed—they pull out their phones and Google it. Whether it’s “best pizza near me” or “romantic dinner in [your city],” Google is the go-to place for people to search for nearby dining options. Google Ads lets you show up when potential diners are actively searching for what you serve. You can bid on keywords related to your restaurant, ensuring that your business is visible when people are already thinking about food.
- Facebook Ads: Facebook (and Instagram) are ideal for raising awareness about your restaurant. Even though people may not be actively searching for a place to eat at the moment, Facebook allows you to target users based on their interests, demographics, and behaviors. You can show your ads to people who are nearby and most likely to dine at your restaurant, making it an excellent platform to keep your restaurant on their radar.
Both Google Ads and Facebook Ads allow you to reach local diners with laser precision—whether they’re searching for the best taco joint in town or just browsing for dinner inspiration. Together, they can help you bring in new customers and build a loyal following.
Let’s break down how to get started with each platform.
How to Set Up Google Ads to Attract Local Diners
Google Ads works on a pay-per-click (PPC) model, meaning you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. As a restaurant, this is a great way to ensure your ad is being shown to people who are actively searching for restaurants near them.
Step 1: Create Your Google Ads Account The first thing you need to do is set up a Google Ads account. Go to the Google Ads website and follow the steps to create your account. It’s simple, and Google will guide you through the entire process.
Step 2: Select Your Campaign Type For restaurants, the best choice is a Search Campaign. This will allow your ad to show up in Google’s search results when someone types in relevant keywords, like “Italian restaurant near me” or “Best sushi in [your city].” You can also consider Local Campaigns, which are specifically designed to help businesses drive more foot traffic to their physical location.
Step 3: Choose Your Keywords To attract the right customers, you need to choose the right keywords. These are the terms people will type into Google when looking for restaurants or dining options. For example:
- “Best tacos near me”
- “Restaurants with reservations in [your city]”
- “Family-friendly restaurants [your neighborhood]”
Use the Google Keyword Planner Tool to find more ideas and refine your list. The goal is to target people who are actively searching for restaurants like yours.
Step 4: Set Your Location Targeting Google Ads gives you the ability to target specific locations. This is ideal for restaurants, as you want your ads to be shown to people who are near your establishment. You can set your campaign to target a specific radius around your restaurant, ensuring that you’re only reaching local customers.
Step 5: Write Your Ad Once you’ve chosen your keywords, it’s time to create your ad. A good Google ad should have:
- A catchy headline: Think of what would grab someone’s attention in a sea of search results. For example: “Delicious Pizza in [Your City] – Order Now!”
- A compelling description: Be clear about what makes your restaurant special. Highlight your best dishes or a special offer. For example: “Try our famous Margherita pizza, made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.”
- A call to action: Tell users exactly what you want them to do. Examples: “Order Online,” “Call for Reservations,” “Get Directions.”
Step 6: Set Your Budget Google Ads works on a budget-friendly model where you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. You can start with a small budget, and Google will give you recommendations on how to optimize your spending.
How to Set Up Facebook Ads to Attract Local Diners
Facebook Ads are ideal for raising awareness and getting your restaurant in front of people who may not yet be actively searching for a place to eat but could be enticed by a mouthwatering image or special offer.
Step 1: Set Up Your Facebook Ads Manager Account To run Facebook ads, you’ll need a Facebook business page and access to Facebook Ads Manager. If you don’t already have a page, create one first, then head to Ads Manager to start setting up your campaigns.
Step 2: Choose Your Campaign Objective When setting up your Facebook ad, you’ll need to choose an objective. For restaurants, the most effective option is typically Local Awareness. This is designed to reach people who live or work near your restaurant, making them aware of your offers and encouraging them to visit.
Step 3: Define Your Target Audience Facebook lets you target users based on a variety of factors, including:
- Location: Target people within a specific radius of your restaurant. This is crucial for bringing in local diners.
- Demographics: You can target based on age, gender, and other demographic factors.
- Interests: For example, if you run a vegetarian restaurant, you can target people who have shown an interest in plant-based food.
- Behaviors: Facebook also lets you target users based on their behaviors—such as dining habits, or whether they’ve visited similar restaurants.
For instance, if you own a pizza restaurant in a downtown area, you could target people who:
- Live or work within a 5-mile radius.
- Have an interest in “pizza,” “Italian food,” or “local dining.”
- Are within the age range of 18-50, a common demographic for pizza lovers.
Step 4: Create Your Ad Facebook ads are highly visual, so it’s important to use high-quality images or videos. If you have great photos of your dishes or your restaurant ambiance, showcase them. Your ad copy should include a strong call to action, such as:
- “Order Now”
- “Book a Table”
- “Get 10% Off Your First Visit”
For example:
- Headline: “Taco Tuesday is Back at [Your Restaurant Name]!”
- Description: “Join us for $2 tacos, ice-cold margaritas, and live music. Book your spot today!”
- CTA: “Book Now”
Step 5: Set Your Budget and Schedule Similar to Google Ads, Facebook allows you to set a daily or lifetime budget. You can also schedule your ads to appear during specific times of day—perfect for reaching diners right when they’re thinking about lunch or dinner.
Best Practices for Both Google and Facebook Ads
- Track Performance: Monitor your ad performance regularly to see what’s working and what’s not. Both Google Ads and Facebook Ads provide detailed analytics to help you optimize your campaigns.
- A/B Test Your Ads: Test different versions of your ads. For example, try out different images or headlines to see which ones resonate the most with your audience.
- Retargeting: Both Google and Facebook allow you to retarget people who have already interacted with your restaurant—whether they’ve visited your website, clicked on your ad, or engaged with your social media posts. This is a great way to bring people back for a second visit.
- Offer Special Deals: People love a good deal, so don’t be afraid to use special offers, discounts, or promotions in your ads. Whether it’s a “happy hour special” or “free appetizer with your first order,” discounts can drive traffic.
How Ad Pages Solutions Can Help
Running effective Google and Facebook ads requires time, strategy, and ongoing optimization. If you’re looking for extra guidance, Ad Pages Solutions is here to help.
As both a digital advertising platform and a local magazine, we specialize in helping businesses like yours increase visibility through targeted ads.
Our team can help craft campaigns that speak directly to your local audience, ensuring your restaurant gets the attention it deserves.
Whether you need help designing your ads, choosing the right keywords, or optimizing your budget, Ad Pages Solutions is a partner you can rely on to grow your business.
Final Thoughts: Bring More Diners Through Your Door with Ads
Both Google Ads and Facebook Ads are invaluable tools for driving more local diners to your restaurant. By carefully targeting the right audience, offering compelling promotions, and using these platforms to raise awareness, you can see real growth in your customer base.
If you’re ready to get started, take the time to set up your campaigns and track your performance. Start small, adjust your approach as you learn, and watch your restaurant thrive.
And if you ever need assistance navigating the world of online advertising, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ad Pages Solutions—they’re here to help you get noticed and grow your restaurant’s presence in the local community.
