The ultimate checklist to review your online presence

Now, more than ever before, your pizzeria needs to be open online 24/7. No, not your physical location, your digital shop, the place where customers and potential customers gather information on your business. This is the you that sparks 3 a.m. cravings for a customer who can’t sleep or one that’s wishing the scratch-and-sniff mobile device was invented. The digital you is not limited to your website and social channels.

It’s time to audit your pizzeria online to make sure the digital you is on point. Check the following auditing tasks for your pizzeria (We’ve made the page responsive so you can check items off as you complete each task). Get started now!

Website

•    Website is mobile responsive. User should not have to zoom in or scroll across to see menus and images on a smartphone. More on mobile-responsive websites.
•    Contact info, menu and ordering is easy to find on homepage.
•    Phone numbers are active and clickable to call.
•    Location has clickable directions.
•    Menu is easy to read in body text format. It’s good for search and visibility. Menus shouldn’t be hidden behind PDF links or in images.
•    High-quality photos of your food are present and they have meta descriptions — a must for SEO and ADA compliancy (More on SEO in Search category below). And, please no more stock photos. Your smartphone is a high-resolution camera! More on Food Photography Tips.
•    Online ordering is easy to access and use.

Social

•    All major social pages are claimed (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, SnapChat). Even if you will not update the pages regularly, pages should still be claimed.
•    Review all social “About” pages to be sure all information is accurate and up-to-date, including address, phone, business hours, business type and categories, menus, etc.
•    All ratings and reviews have been viewed and responded to, if necessary.
•    Review all Mentions and direct Tags. Flag/remove any that violate your company policies or the social networks policies.
•    Check your Inbox on social channels. Respond to those necessary and mark all others “done.” More on Social Strategies.

Search

•    The free Google My Business Profile is claimed.
•    Review Google My Business Profile for accuracy. This can be done for all other search engines as well.
•    Type pizzeria’s name into Google search and city or district. If restaurant’s website, social, online order platform or reviews are not at the top of results, it’s time to investigate SEO (Search Engine Optimization). We found a great video that explains SEO. Watch now!
•    Type in “pizza near me” into search. Where does the pizzeria appear? Page 1, 2, 3?
•    Ask Alexa, Siri or Google Assist to call the restaurant, or if online ordering is available to be begin an order at the pizzeria. If it doesn’t work, investigate how to improve it. Also review that all basic contact and menu information on website is searchable and Google Business Profile is accurate.
•    Open your favorite map on mobile device with your location activated and type “pizza” or specific to style (ie. New York style pizza, deep dish, Neapolitan, etc.). Does your pizzeria appear?
•    Type your pizzeria name in quotes into search, click NEWS from bar under search or at header menu then enter. Scan News for articles about the pizzeria. Pay particular attention to any special interest positive articles to share, as well as negative articles to strategize responses.

Directories & Review Sites 

•    Are you listed on major directory and review sites, like Yelp, Zagat, Allmenus, Yahoo Local, Four Square, HotFrog, eLocal, and even YellowPages? Other hyper local listings to check are Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau.
•    If so, is all information correct and up-to-date?
•    View all ratings and reviews and respond, if necessary. More on Handling Online Reviews.

Third-party Delivery Sites

•    Search for pizzeria on all third-party delivery sites and apps available in the area. Major third-party companies include UberEats, GrubHub, Postmates, DoorDash, Seamless and others. Do you have contractual agreements with them? If not, evaluate whether your pizzeria should be listed?
•    Review all information on third-party sites to be sure it is accurate and up-to-date. Check menus. Look out for any discontinued items or new additions that do not appear.
•    View all ratings and reviews and respond, if necessary. More on Going Third-Party Delivery.

Now, get to work! Take care of items on this checklist to increase your reach online and better serve your customers and potential customers.