One of the most common questions First Table restaurant partners ask is how they can enhance their visibility on the First Table platform and increase their off-peak table bookings. That's why our committed Client Success team has crafted the First Table restaurant 'health check' system, which includes five simple tips tailored to boost our partners' success on the platform. Continue reading to delve into these tips below.

If you regularly change your menu or change it every season, please make sure this is updated on your restaurant's First Table listing. Our diners rely on the menu displayed on the First Table platform when selecting a dining spot, so it can lead to disappointment if it doesn't align with what they find upon arrival.

Keeping your menu current not only enhances the dining experience but also contributes to customer satisfaction, potentially leading to more positive reviews.

Step 2: Are you using great imagery to represent your restaurant? 

The age-old saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words" rings true when it comes to influencing diners choices. With a plethora of restaurants to choose from, captivating images that accurately showcase your venue's offerings are essential in attracting more attention and reservations. It is highly recommended to regularly update the images on your First Table listing to accurately depict the mouth-watering dishes on your current menu. 

Step 3: Consider reducing or simplifying your restaurant's special conditions

If you find that the amount of bookings your restaurant is receiving via the platform is not meeting your expectations, consider reducing or simplifying your restaurant's special conditions for First Table diners.

While it may be necessary to have certain special conditions in place to maintain your restaurant's profitability on the platform, providing First Table diners with an exceptional dining experience that mirrors what full-paying customers receive is crucial for maximising the value of these customers. With over 75% of First Table diners being first-time visitors to our partners' venues , they hold significant future value for your establishment. Providing an excellent experience can turn them into loyal patrons who will return and recommend your restaurant to friends and family.

Step 4: Try adjusting your restaurant's First Table table timeslots and days

Adjusting your First Table reservation times to cater to a broader audience can have a significant impact. A simple 30-minute tweak to align with seasonal preferences or adding popular days like Friday, Saturday, or Sunday can immediately attract more diners. Changes in seasons, like the extended daylight hours in summer or the preference for earlier meals in winter, can also influence when diners are more inclined to book for.

First Table also offers breakfast, lunch and Last Table, consider adding these for your restaurant. Diversifying your offerings not only enhances your venue's visibility and reputation but also boosts revenue potential.

Step 5: Integrate First Table with your reservation system 

If you're utilising a digital reservation system or CRM, have you connected it with your First Table listing? At First Table, we seamlessly integrate with top reservation systems to ensure that your bookings and diner data flow effortlessly into your existing platform, streamlining your operations. Our First Table-connected apps sync flawlessly with your current reservation system or marketing platforms, simplifying reservations, table management, and guest data synchronisation.