Guests find you everywhere: via Google, on Instagram, word of mouth or review platforms. But where should they actually book? On each platform separately? Through a middleman that charges commission? Or on one place that is yours?
The answer is simpler than you think: let guests discover you everywhere, but guide them to one booking flow on your own website. In this article you learn how to combine Google, Instagram and your site smartly, without losing guest data and without commission per reservation.
The rule of thumb: discover ≠ book
Google, Instagram and other channels are great for attention. But booking should happen on a place you control: your own site with your reservation widget. That way guest data stays in your system, you build guest profiles and you pay no percentage per table. The difference is crucial. Discovery can happen anywhere; booking happens with you. Those who get this avoid a tangle of separate systems, double bookings and confusion for your team.
Google: where people search for you
Google remains the starting point for many guests, especially those actively searching for "restaurant in [city]" or who need your address. Make sure your Google Business profile is complete: opening hours, photos, menu and especially a clear button or link to your reservation page. Not to a generic contact form, but straight to your widget. Tourists and new guests arrive via Google but land on your booking flow. Also read our article on reviews and negative feedback: stars on Google attract attention, your own reservation page turns that interest into a booking.
Instagram: where people discover you
Instagram is more of a discovery channel than a booking platform. Guests scroll through your feed, watch stories and only then decide to book. Put the same link to your reservation page everywhere: in your bio, story stickers, captions and highlights. The Restotailor widget works smoothly on mobile, exactly where Instagram traffic comes from. Promoting an offer on social? Make sure it is also visible in your widget via the offer feature. More tips in our article on social media for restaurants.
Your own website: where they book
Your own website is the hub. This is where your reservation widget belongs: on your homepage, on a separate "Book" page or in your navigation. Guests arriving via Google or Instagram should get the same professional booking experience. No detour, no phone call needed, no commission. No website yet? With Restotailor's built-in website builder you launch a site with menu and widget, included in €65 per month. Follow our step-by-step guide in the article on online reservations on your own website to get started quickly.
One system, all channels
The biggest risk is fragmentation: reservations via Google, via a platform, via Instagram DM and by phone side by side. Then nobody knows what is free. With Restotailor all online bookings come in through the same widget, linked to your table plan and guest profiles. Phone reservations you add manually in the same overview. Confirmation emails and reminders run automatically. Whether a guest finds you via Google, Instagram or directly via your site: the booking lands in one place. That is calm for your team and a better experience for your guest.
Measure what works
You invest time in Google, Instagram or your website. But which channel actually delivers reservations? In Restotailor Analytics you see where your bookings come from: website, widget, socials or other sources. That way you know whether that Instagram campaign actually fills tables, or whether Google delivers the most. Without insight you keep guessing; with attribution you invest in what pays off. Link every campaign to the same reservation URL and track the result.
Conclusion
Guests can find you everywhere: Google to search, Instagram to discover, your website to book. The mistake is thinking you need to let people book separately on each platform. Choose one booking flow via your own site and link to it from every channel. With Restotailor you have widget, table plan, guest profiles and analytics in one package, included in €65 per month, with no commission on reservations. Put your reservation link in your Google profile and Instagram bio today, and measure in a month which channel delivers the most.