Series: Crafting the Ultimate Restaurant Page: Reviews
In our series to help you create the ultimate restaurant page on TheFork, we've reached the final destination – reviews. Most diners today rely on reviews as a compass guiding them to their next dining adventure. Therefore, it's important that you're not only aware of what's being said but also taking steps to ensure your reviews are nothing short of amazing. How? You’ll know all about it once you’ve finished reading this last piece in the series.
Find all other articles in the "Crafting the Ultimate Restaurant Page on TheFork" series here:
The Significance of Reviews
Imagine yourself as a diner searching for the perfect restaurant experience. You have certain expectations and preferences, and naturally, you turn to reviews to guide your decision. That's the reality for many of your potential guests. The value of reviews goes beyond just feedback; it's a reflection of the overall experience your restaurant provides, put into the words of the guest.
On TheFork, users receive review invitations a few hours after their meal. This means that only those who have actually visited your restaurant can leave a review. This way, the credibility and reliability of your reviews are guaranteed, which is vital to your potential guests and to you.
Where to Find and Analyse Reviews
With well over 20 million reviews, TheFork is the go-to place for a lot of diners when it comes to checking reviews. If you have a restaurant page published on TheFork, you can easily access your reviews. Simply click on the lightbulb icon (Insights) in the menu on the left of TheFork Manager, then click on "Reviews" (or, simply click here to go there straight away). For more in-depth statistics in TheFork Manager, click here (Insights > Statistics > Reviews, from the top menu).
The aim is to learn as much as possible from these reviews. What are guests specifically saying? Are there noticeable shifts in your ratings, and are ratings for particular aspects increasing or decreasing faster than others? Is there negative feedback that, even if you disagree, is understandable? This knowledge helps you make improvements and refine your service.
Furthermore, sharing feedback with your team is crucial. Positive feedback acts as a pat on the back, boosting morale. Negative feedback, on the other hand, serves as a learning opportunity.
Try TheFork for free
How Reviews Work on TheFork
One valuable tip for gaining more reviews is to make a point of noticing guests booking through TheFork and kindly ask them to leave a review through the review invitation email that same day. Fresh reviews tend to be perceived as more reliable, making them even more impactful when potential diners are considering a booking.
The average rating of your restaurant is visible to diners as they browse the search results page. This rating significantly influences the first impression a diner has of your restaurant. The restaurant rating is an average of all user ratings from the past year, calculated using the arithmetic method. This rating reflects the overall dining experience at your restaurant.
Responding to Reviews
Feedback is a gift, some say. That’s why it’s important to handle it properly! It’s best practice to reply to all of your reviews, good or bad. You can do so from your review overview. It makes guests feel seen and respected. Plus, in case you get a less gleaming review, it's an opportunity to put context to for future guests to read.
Here are three of the most important tips for responding to your guests:
- Swift and Kind Responses: It's important to reply promptly and with kindness. Acknowledge the feedback, whether positive or negative, and show your appreciation for taking the time to leave a review.
- Emphasise the Positive: Regardless of the nature of the review, focus on the positive aspects. Highlight what makes your restaurant special and thank the diner for choosing you.
- In Case of Negatives: When responding to negative reviews, take the time to do some research and provide well-founded arguments. Show that you genuinely care about the diner's experience and are open to making amends.
Leveraging Positive Reviews
A bonus tip is to market your best reviews. Share screenshots of your TheFork page featuring all those glowing 9s and 10s and share them on your Instagram, for example. This can help you grab more attention and bookings, further enhancing your restaurant's reputation. Especially if you have your TheFork booking button right there on your profile, keeping the effort necessary to book at a minimum…
Review Photography: A Visual Delight
Diners can attach photos when leaving a review, offering an authentic window into what it's like dining at your restaurant. Encouraging users booking with TheFork to include photos when leaving a review enriches your profile with captivating content, making it even more appealing to potential diners.
In the world of restaurant pages on TheFork, reviews are the heart and soul. They provide valuable insights, influence decisions, and reflect your restaurant's identity. So, make it a practice to listen, learn, and respond. The impact can be profound, attracting more diners and elevating your restaurant's standing in the culinary world.
In the quest to craft the ultimate restaurant page, reviews are the golden thread weaving the story of your restaurant's success. Nurture them, embrace them, and watch your restaurant shine.
Up next
Find all other articles in the "Crafting the Ultimate Restaurant Page on TheFork" series here:
Don't have a restaurant page on TheFork yet but eager to get started crafting one? We'll help you get published here.
- <
- >
- <
- >
