Updating Your Online Menu for the Holidays

Restaurant Best Practices Dec 6, 2024

The holiday season is one of the busiest times for restaurants. From families gathering for festive meals to office parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations, customers are on the lookout for the best holiday experiences. One of the key ways to attract these customers is by keeping your online menu up to date.

Let’s explore why updating your online menu for the holidays is essential, how you can feature special holiday LTOs, and how Marqii can make this process a breeze by syncing your menu across platforms like Google, Yelp, and more.

When customers search for a place to dine during the holidays, the first thing they look for is your menu. A current, accurate menu helps diners make informed decisions and creates excitement about what your restaurant offers. On the flip side, an outdated menu can lead to uncertainty and missed opportunities.

Imagine a customer searching for a holiday ham special only to miss it on your menu because it wasn’t updated online. Or worse, they might find a price discrepancy between your website and Google listing. To avoid confusion and ensure a seamless experience, keeping your online menu fresh is a must.

Using Holiday Specials to Attract More Customers

The holidays are a great opportunity to introduce special, seasonal dishes that can entice both new and returning customers. Whether it’s a limited-time peppermint dessert or a festive take on classic comfort foods, holiday menus create buzz and give diners something new to look forward to.

Consider highlighting special menus for Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s Eve, and make sure these options are easily visible online. By promoting these holiday specials, you can differentiate your restaurant from competitors and give customers a reason to choose you for their celebrations.

Here are some tips for holiday menu success:

Seasonal Ingredients: Incorporate flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberry, or pumpkin to capture the essence of the season.
Family-Style Dishes: Offer shareable platters perfect for large groups or holiday parties.
Beverage Pairings: Suggest seasonal drinks like spiced cocktails or mocktails alongside your holiday dishes to enhance the dining experience.

It’s not just about offering holiday specials—it’s also about making sure customers have the most up-to-date information. During the holidays, people often make plans in advance. If your hours or menu items change without reflecting that online, you might lose out on reservations or orders.

An updated menu helps:

Improve Search Visibility: Online platforms like Google favor restaurants that regularly update their information, improving your chances of showing up in searches.
Boost Customer Trust: When customers see accurate information, they trust your restaurant more and are more likely to dine with you. Google listings will even show customers the last time the menu was updated.
Increase Reservations and Orders: Holiday-specific updates can drive excitement and help you attract diners who are looking for special experiences during the festive season.

Showcase Photos: Add high-quality images of your holiday menu items to catch customers' eyes. Platforms like Google and Yelp allow you to upload photos of your dishes directly, so make sure your best photos are front and center.
Promote on Social Media: Don’t forget to leverage social media to share your updated menu. Post sneak peeks of holiday dishes or behind-the-scenes content to build anticipation. Connectings your social media accounts to your Google listing can help boost visibility as well.
Consider Dietary Preferences: Holiday diners are often looking for special accommodations, whether it’s for gluten-free, vegan, or keto options. Adding these to your holiday menu can help you reach a broader audience. Using Google Menu attributes is a great way to make it easier for your guests to find what they are looking for.

Updating your online menu might seem daunting, especially if you’re juggling multiple platforms. From Google Business Profile to Yelp and beyond, having to manually update each one can quickly become overwhelming.

With Marqii’s menu management feature, you can update your menu in one place, and it will automatically sync across multiple platforms. Whether you're adding new holiday items, changing prices, or updating operating hours for holiday closures, Marqii makes sure your information is consistent and accurate everywhere customers are searching.

This not only saves you time but also ensures that no matter where your customers look—whether on Google, Facebook, or Yelp—they’ll always find the right information. Having consistent menus across all platforms boosts your restaurant's local SEO and helps avoid any customer confusion during the hectic holiday season.

Get Started with Marqii

If you’re ready to get a head start on the holiday madness online, it’s time to give Marqii a try. Our tools allow you to manage your listings, update your menu, and respond to reviews—all in one place.

Schedule a demo today to learn more.