How to set up Google Business Profile for restaurant reservations

Your Google Business Profile is likely the first thing potential guests see when they search for your restaurant or “restaurants near me.” Adding a reservation link to that profile means guests can book a table directly from Google Search or Maps, without ever visiting your website. Restaurants with a Reserve button on their profile see measurably higher booking conversion rates because it removes an entire step from the guest journey.

Yet many restaurants either skip this setup entirely or leave their profile half-finished. That means lost bookings every single day. This guide walks you through the full process, from claiming your profile to getting a working reservation button that drives real bookings.

Key takeaways

• Main solution: Claim, verify, and fully optimize your Google Business Profile with a working reservation link
• Expected result: More bookings from Google Search and Maps with less friction for guests
• Time to implement: 1-2 hours for setup, 1-2 weeks for verification
• Cost: Free (Google Business Profile costs nothing)

Before you start

Make sure you have the following ready before diving into setup.

What you’ll need:

• A Google account (ideally a business account, not personal)
• Your restaurant’s exact legal name, address, and phone number
• An active online booking system with a shareable reservation URL
• High-quality photos of your restaurant (exterior, interior, and food)
• Access to your restaurant’s phone or email for verification

Good to know:

• If someone else previously claimed your profile, you will need to request ownership transfer through Google, which can take a few days
• Verification methods vary by location. Google may offer phone, email, postcard, or video verification
• The entire process from start to a fully live reservation button takes 1-3 weeks depending on verification speed

Step 1: Claim and verify your profile

If you have not already claimed your Google Business Profile, this is the essential first step. Without a verified profile, you cannot control your listing or add a reservation link.

What to do:

1. Go to business.google.com and sign in with your Google account
2. Search for your restaurant name. If it already appears, click “Claim this business”
3. If it does not appear, click “Add your business” and enter your details
4. Choose a verification method (phone, email, postcard, or video)
5. Complete the verification process

Verification options:

Once verified, you have full control of your listing. Do not skip this step. Unverified profiles cannot add reservation links or respond to reviews.

Step 2: Complete your profile information

An incomplete profile ranks lower in search results and looks unprofessional to potential guests. Google rewards completeness with better visibility.

What to do:

1. Enter your exact business name (no extra keywords like “Best Italian Restaurant”)
2. Select the correct primary category (e.g., “Italian Restaurant” not just “Restaurant”)
3. Add your full address, phone number, and website URL
4. Set accurate operating hours, including holiday and seasonal hours
5. Write a business description (up to 750 characters) that describes your cuisine, atmosphere, and what makes your restaurant stand out
6. Add relevant attributes: outdoor seating, wheelchair accessibility, WiFi, parking, payment methods

Profile completeness checklist:

Step 3: Add your reservation URL

This is the step that directly drives bookings from your Google profile. You have two options: a manual reservation link or the native Reserve with Google integration.

Option A: Manual reservation link

This is the simplest approach and works with any booking system.

1. Log in to your Google Business Profile manager
2. Click “Edit profile”
3. Navigate to the “Contact” or “More” section
4. Find the “Reservation URL” or “Booking link” field
5. Paste the direct URL to your booking page (e.g., your Resos booking widget URL)
6. Save your changes

The link typically goes live within 24-48 hours.

Option B: Reserve with Google (native integration)

Reserve with Google embeds a booking widget directly inside your Google profile and Maps listing. Guests can select a date, time, and party size without leaving Google.

1. Confirm your booking system is a Reserve with Google partner (Resos, OpenTable, Resy, and others support this)
2. Contact your booking system provider to enable the integration
3. Your provider submits the connection to Google
4. Google reviews and activates the integration (1-3 weeks)

Comparing the two options:

For the best results, use Reserve with Google if your booking system supports it. The in-Google booking experience converts better because guests never leave the page they are already on.

Resos has a detailed guide for setting up Reserve with Google if you use their system.

Step 4: Optimize your photos

Profiles with quality photos receive 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks than those without. Photos are one of the strongest conversion drivers on your profile.

What to do:

1. Upload 3-5 exterior photos (daytime and evening)
2. Add 5-10 interior shots showing your dining areas, bar, and ambiance
3. Include 10-20 food photos featuring your most popular and photogenic dishes
4. Add 3-5 team photos (chef, front-of-house staff in action)
5. Upload new photos weekly to signal an active, current business

Photo best practices:

• Use natural lighting whenever possible
• Show the restaurant as guests actually experience it
• Avoid stock photos or heavily filtered images
• Capture different areas: patio, bar, private dining
• Feature seasonal dishes and special events

What to avoid:

• Blurry or dark photos that make your restaurant look unappealing
• Photos with empty dining rooms (looks unpopular)
• Outdated images showing old decor or discontinued dishes
• Screenshots of your menu (use the menu link instead)

Step 5: Enable messaging

Google Business Profile messaging lets potential guests ask questions directly through your listing. This is especially useful for guests who want to ask about availability, dietary accommodations, or private dining before committing to a reservation.

What to do:

1. Open your Google Business Profile manager
2. Go to Messages
3. Turn on messaging
4. Set up automated welcome messages and FAQ responses
5. Assign a team member to respond during business hours

Response time matters. Google shows your average response time on your profile. Aim to reply within 1-2 hours during business hours. Slow response times discourage guests from reaching out.

Keep responses short and direct. If a guest asks about availability, point them to your reservation link. Turn inquiries into bookings.

Step 6: Monitor and respond to reviews

Reviews are the second most important ranking factor for local search, right after your profile completeness. They also directly influence whether a guest decides to book with you or choose a competitor.

What to do:

1. Set up notifications so you see new reviews immediately
2. Respond to every review within 24-48 hours
3. Thank positive reviewers specifically (mention what they enjoyed)
4. Address negative reviews professionally: acknowledge the issue, apologize, and offer to resolve it offline
5. Never argue with reviewers publicly

Review response framework:

Building review volume:

• Ask happy guests to leave a review at the end of their meal
• Include a review link in post-dining follow-up emails
• Train staff to mention reviews naturally: “If you enjoyed tonight, we’d love a review on Google”
• Never offer incentives for reviews (violates Google’s guidelines)

Step 7: Post updates and keep your profile active

Google rewards active profiles with better visibility. Posting regularly signals that your restaurant is current and engaged.

What to do:

1. Post 2-3 times per week on your Google Business Profile
2. Share new menu items, seasonal specials, and upcoming events
3. Update your hours immediately for holidays, closures, or seasonal changes
4. Add new photos weekly
5. Review your profile insights monthly to understand what drives clicks and bookings

Post ideas that drive reservations:

• “New spring tasting menu available. Reserve your table for this weekend.”
• “Valentine’s Day dinner: five courses, wine pairing. Limited seats. Book now.”
• “Happy hour every Tuesday-Thursday, 4-6pm. Walk-ins welcome, reservations guaranteed.”

Every post should include a call to action that points toward booking.

Common mistakes to avoid

Leaving the profile unverified

An unverified profile means you cannot add a reservation link, respond to reviews, or control your business information. Verify immediately.

Inconsistent business information

Your name, address, and phone number must match exactly across your website, Google profile, and all directory listings. Inconsistencies confuse Google’s algorithm and hurt your local ranking.

Ignoring reviews

Unanswered reviews, especially negative ones, signal that you do not care about guest feedback. Respond to every single review. Engaged profiles rank higher and convert better.

Setting it and forgetting it

A profile you optimized once and never touch again loses ranking over time. Weekly updates, fresh photos, and active review management keep your profile competitive.

Not adding the reservation link

This sounds obvious, but many restaurants complete their profile without ever adding a booking link. Without it, interested guests have to leave Google, find your website, and locate your booking page. Each extra step costs you completed reservations.

How to measure success

Track these metrics monthly through your Google Business Profile insights:

A fully optimized profile should see steady growth in profile views and booking clicks over the first 3-6 months.

Tools that help

Your Google Business Profile itself is free, but the right booking system makes the integration seamless.

Reserve with Google integration lets guests book without leaving Google. This is the highest-converting option because it eliminates friction entirely.

A booking widget with a shareable URL is the minimum requirement. Any system that gives you a direct booking link can work with Google Business Profile.

Automated review management through your booking system can prompt happy guests to leave reviews, building your profile’s reputation over time.

If you want a system that supports Reserve with Google out of the box, Resos includes the integration with no per-cover fees. For a broader comparison, see our guide to best restaurant booking systems 2026.

The bottom line

Setting up Google Business Profile for reservations is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost things you can do for your restaurant. It puts a booking button where guests are already looking: Google Search and Maps. The setup takes an afternoon, verification takes a week or two, and the ongoing maintenance is a few minutes per week.

Start by claiming and verifying your profile today. Add your reservation link. Upload quality photos. Respond to your reviews. These basics alone put you ahead of most competitors who are leaving bookings on the table.

Related guides: How to get more reservations | How to choose a booking system | Online vs. phone reservations