You may have paid a lot of money to marketing agencies to “market” your hospitality business. And while this is the right way forward, this may result in average business.
Today, it is not just enough to invest in food R&D, the interior of the cafe, location, etc to make your business stand out.
These days, people have been busier in hospitality marketing than ever before. Digital revolution around the world has altered the way people choose what they eat and where they stay: it is now estimated that more than half of the population books flights and hotels online, not to mention restaurants.
As a result, it is critical for hospitality businesses to market their operations strategically in Australia.
Understanding the Hospitality Business in Australia
First and foremost, understanding the lay of the land is critical for hospitality marketing in Australia. The Australian hospitality market is as diverse and colourful as a coral reef, with a wide range of cuisines influenced by our multicultural society. There’s a smorgasbord of dining experiences to discover, from traditional Australian fare to Asian fusion, European elegance, and exotic Middle Eastern flavours.
However, it is not only about the food. Australians take great pride in providing excellent service. In Australia’s fiercely competitive hospitality scene, businesses are always going above and beyond to make their customers feel like true VIPs.
Likewise, their passion for the great outdoors should also not be overlooked. Outdoor dining is popular due to our sunny climate and beautiful landscapes. Similarly, numerous businesses provide alfresco dining options so that patrons can eat outside while enjoying the sun or the stars.
Also, businesses are increasingly adopting green practices, such as sourcing local produce, reducing waste, and using renewable energy. Thus, if you intend to enter the Australian hospitality industry, keep it friendly, local, and—above all—green.
Marketing Strategies for Hospitality Businesses in Australia
Now that we have understood the basics of hospitality business in the country, its time to look into some of the most effective strategies to market your business.
- Create a website for your Restaurant
- Optimise for SEO
- Leverage Social Media
- Partner with Delivery Services
- Invest in Events
Best Strategies to Market Your Hospitality Business in Australia
Create a website for your Restaurant
Although websites have been neglected in favour of social media in recent years, a landing page is essential.
Following Google reviews, most customers want to see a menu on an easy-to-use website. Your website’s design should be consistent with the colours, fonts, and tone of voice used in-venue and on social media platforms. For example, if your business is small in nature, the same approach should be taken with the website.
Your website should also include links to social media accounts, contact information, a feedback form, a reservations section with a booking policy, and business hours. An additional ‘about us’ tab is also beneficial, as is a gallery of professional photography of your venue, food, and beverage.
Optimise for SEO
While having a website is critical for any business, it is insufficient on its own. You’ll need to employ a variety of marketing strategies to attract the large number of visitors that your website requires to be successful. As a result, a good website should always be combined with effective SEO strategies. Organic (non-paid) visitors have a specific goal in mind when it comes to search engine optimisation (SEO). SEO is the process of organising website content to improve its visibility and rankings in search engines. Keywords, titles, descriptions, tags, and links are all utilised during this process.
Leverage Social Media
Social media is similar to chatting with your friends at the pub, but on a global scale. Each platform has a distinct vibe, and knowing how to use them effectively is essential. Take Instagram for example. It is all about the visuals. A well-curated feed can convey your brand’s story in ways that words alone cannot. It is an effective tool for businesses to achieve their digital marketing objectives. It’s not just about sharing pretty photos. It’s about connecting with your audience, using the right hashtags, and creating content that speaks to them.
Likewise, there’s LinkedIn, the business-oriented social media platform. It’s where you can establish credibility, expand your network, and gain insider knowledge from industry experts. LinkedIn can be used to promote your brand, increase web traffic, and generate new leads. It’s more than just a place to post your resume; it’s also a platform for networking with other professionals and sharing thought leadership content.
Partner with Delivery Services
In Australia, delivery is still a big business for customers who value convenience. Additionally, businesses can reach customers who may not be familiar with their venue by listing on Uber Eats, Food and Wine with Love, or DoorDash. However, you should prioritise making money from delivery, which entails simplifying your menu and setting its price appropriately.
Some items just don’t travel well, and you don’t want to jeopardise your reputation with a wilted salad. Focus on delivery-tested items such as pizzas, burgers, fries, flatbreads, noodles, and curries; these items can withstand travel and arrive in the same condition as you sent them. Service fees should also be negotiated whenever possible; it’s always worth asking a delivery representative if they can lower the cut or feature your company on the app’s homepage.
Invest in Events
A fantastic way to introduce your venue to new guests is to work with chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, and other hospitality professionals. One-off occasions, such as a café holding its first-ever dinner or a bar having an outdoor BBQ night, are also an opportunity to introduce regular customers to something new.
Conclusion
By implementing these strategies, you can provide your customers with a more engaging and memorable experience. Always keep in mind that providing an experience your clients will remember and want to return to is just as important as selling them a service.
We urge you to use these observations in your own business. Test what works for you, tweak what doesn’t, and don’t be afraid to try something new. After all, in this quickly changing industry, innovation is the key to staying ahead.