What to Make of Restaurant.com’s Verified Diner Reviews

Following my Wednesday post about Groupon’s new point-of-sale system, I looked into some more new updates to the online and social media  options available to restaurant owners and managers. The importance of a presence in social media and online marketing for food service businesses trying to make it in these economic and technologically savvy times can’t be overstated. You have to think about things other than food.

One website you’re probably familiar with is Restaurant.com, a website that allows restaurants to offer special deals to consumers as a way to increase visibility and attract new business. Well, not one to be left behind as their competitors expand, Restaurant.com has now added “Verified Diner Reviews” to it’s offerings, allowing browsing consumers a way to judge the quality of their many food service options.

What does this mean for you? 

Well, maybe nothing too different from what you’re already worrying about. Review sites like Yelp.com and Urbanspoon have been around a while, and they’re already popular enough among consumers to be on the minds of those in charge of restaurants, cafes, and other business. The addition of verified diner reviews to Restaurant.com’s product should just serve as a reminder about something you already know: Service is important. There’s the old adage that you have to treat every single customer like a food critic, and it’s never been more true than in the era of yelp, where any diner could go home and review your restaurant– the food quality, the service, the appearance — and these reviews influence a broad range of potential future customers.

The addition of verified diner reviews just means that there are even more people out there who will influence the choices of people who might choose to eat at your restaurant. And because they are “verified,” browsing customers will trust these reviews and rely on their veracity — unlike some of the crazier sounding opinions on Yelp, which I for one tend to ignore because I categorize them as people who just like to complain about something. This just means you have to care even more about the food you’re presenting and the service you’re providing, and that’s a good thing. There’s not much you can do to influence the reviews of random strangers that you shouldn’t already be doing.

Take pride in your restaurant. Be sure you’re providing an experience that anyone would positively review.

I’ll be back with new posts next week. Until then, comment below or contact us here.