If your restaurant brand looks good on Instagram, customers will be drawn to share your photos there.
This article explains how you can design spaces that look good in pictures, set up lively digital signs, invite users to share on your channels, and hold attractive contests on Instagram. Following these suggestions will make your restaurant well-known on different social media platforms.
What Does It Mean to Be “Instagrammable” as a Restaurant?
When a restaurant is Instagrammable, it’s perfect for being photographed and shared by people. It requires using appealing things like neon signs, menu boards on screens, unique decorations, meals that are nicely plated, and digital displays that visitors want to photograph and upload.
A restaurant that’s designed for Instagram has a style, tells its story, shows its character, and gets people involved on social media and in person.
Why Does Your Restaurant Need to Be Instagrammable?
- 88% of people are influenced by online reviews and photos when choosing where to eat.
- Restaurants with strong social branding often enjoy higher visibility, especially among Gen Z and millennials.
- Visual content increases engagement, helping you build loyalty and attract new customers organically.
- It’s free Social Media marketing Services from each customer to you as their post becomes an endorsement for your brand.
Mixing tangible decor with outstanding digital displays helps you design a scene that is perfect for Instagram:
These are the steps you need to follow to make your restaurant’s Instagrammable.
Incorporate Branded Neon Signs & Murals
In today’s visually driven dining culture, branded neon signs and murals have emerged as pivotal elements in restaurant design, significantly boosting social media engagement. Neon signs, with their vibrant glow and customizable designs, serve as both branding tools and aesthetic focal points. They create memorable visual cues that patrons are eager to photograph and share, effectively turning customers into brand ambassadors.
Murals, on the other hand, offer expansive canvases to convey a restaurant’s story, ethos, or cultural roots. Establishments like Tijuana Flats have utilized hand-painted murals to infuse personality and narrative into their spaces, fostering a unique ambiance that resonates with diners. These artistic elements not only enhance the dining experience but also provide compelling backdrops for social media content, amplifying the restaurant’s online presence.
By thoughtfully integrating neon signage and murals, restaurants can craft immersive environments that captivate guests and encourage organic promotion through user-generated content. This strategic design approach not only differentiates the establishment in a competitive market but also cultivates a loyal customer base drawn to both the culinary offerings and the distinctive atmosphere.
Feature Unique Furniture and Statement Decor
Distinctive furniture and statement decor play a crucial role in defining a restaurant’s character and enhancing its appeal on social media platforms. Brightly colored chairs, intricately designed tables, and patterned panels not only contribute to the visual aesthetics but also create inviting spaces that patrons are inclined to photograph and share.
Incorporating such elements transforms ordinary dining areas into experiential settings. For instance, thematic furniture can reflect the restaurant’s concept, be it rustic, modern, or eclectic, thereby reinforcing brand identity. Moreover, statement pieces like sculptural lighting fixtures or art installations serve as conversation starters, enriching the dining experience and providing unique photo opportunities.
This design strategy aligns with the growing trend of diners seeking not just meals but memorable experiences. By curating an environment that is both visually stimulating and comfortable, restaurants can foster a sense of place that encourages repeat visits and social media sharing. Ultimately, the integration of unique furniture and decor elements is a powerful tool in building a restaurant
Leverage Digital Menu Boards
Put in place digital menu boards that are colorful and animated to show your menu clearly. Instead of just using the screens for menus, consider displaying art videos, season promotions or creative bits to improve the restaurant ambiance and renew the content.
Rotate Seasonal and Themed Visuals
Rework your digital signage and decor periodically to fit the current season, holiday or event. Also, when the content on the site is refreshed, guests are inspired to post their own experiences online and support your brand on social media.
Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)
User-generated content (UGC) is a great way to build real engagement and amplify your restaurant’s Instagram presence. When customers share photos and videos of their experience, it’s organic marketing that reaches new audiences.
Here’s how to encourage UGC:
- Create Instagrammable Spaces: Design photo-friendly areas with digital signage and bright decor to get guests to snap and share.
- Run Hashtag Campaigns: Promote your branded hashtags on your digital menu boards and signage so customers can tag their posts and join your community.
- Offer Incentives: Encourage sharing by hosting contests or giveaways where customers submit photos for a chance to win discounts or freebies.
- Showcase Customer Posts: Use their Instagram Social Wall app to display real-time customer photos and videos on your in-restaurant screens so guests feel seen and valued.
- Engage Actively: Like, comment and share user posts to build relationships and loyalty.
Running Instagram Contests and Giveaways to Boost Engagement
Instagram contests and giveaways are proven ways to increase follower interaction, expand reach and generate buzz around your restaurant brand. When done right, they get customers to engage , share and promote your business organically.
How to run successful Instagram contests and giveaways:
- Define Clear Goals: Do you want to grow followers, increase UGC or promote a new menu item?
- Choose Simple Entry Methods: Get participation by tagging friends, posting with your branded hashtag or sharing their dining photos.
- Promote via Digital Signage: Use a digital menu board software to advertise your contest in-restaurant so every guest knows and is motivated to join.
- Offer Attractive Prizes: Choose rewards that excite your audience, like free meals, discounts or exclusive event invites.
- Set Clear Rules and Deadlines: Make contest guidelines easy to understand and share them on Instagram and your signage.
- Showcase Winners and Entries: Highlight contest participants and winners using their Instagram Social Wall app to build community and encourage future participation.
Monitor Analytics to Refine Your Instagram Strategy
Monitoring your Instagram performance is key to maximizing your restaurant’s social media impact. By monitoring the metrics, you can see what content works, when to post and how to engage your audience better. Also Keep an eye on your competitors instagram content on a regular basis by using Anonymous Instagram Story Viewer and take inspiration from that and apply it to your Restaurant Business.
How to refine your Instagram strategy:
- Use Instagram Insights: Use Instagram’s built-in analytics to track follower growth, post reach, impressions and engagement rates.
- Analyze Content Performance: See which photos, videos or stories get the most likes, comments and shares to inform future content.
- Track Hashtag Performance: Monitor branded hashtag usage to see how your campaigns and user-generated content are performing..
- Adjust Posting Times and Frequency: Use the data to find the best posting times and maintain a consistent schedule that matches your audience’s activity.
Regularly reviewing these will help you make data-driven decisions so your Instagram efforts grow your restaurant brand and drive real engagement.
How Can You Build a Lasting Instagrammable Brand Presence?
Just building and investing money in a restaurant is not enough. Having a successful brand on Instagram involves designing both the physical and online settings to draw and engage customers on a frequent basis. You can apply different strategies and tactics to stay a top and Instagrammable brand.
