Running a restaurant is hard work. You’ve got staff to manage, food to prepare, and customers to please. But here’s the good news — there are a few simple things you can do to get more bookings, avoid stress, and keep your tables full.
And you don’t need to be a fancy 5-star place to do it.
Here’s a better way: online reservations for restaurants. With the right system, guests can book tables anytime — and your staff can focus on service, not scheduling.
This guide shows you how to get started, avoid common mistakes, and use resOS to make online booking simple for both you and your guests.
1. Make It easy for people to book a table
The problem: If guests can only book by phone, you’re missing out on bookings — especially outside business hours.
What to do:
- Let guests make online reservations. Use Reserve with Google to increase online reservations for your restaurant.
- Add booking links to your website, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Let them choose the time, add notes (like allergies), and even pay ahead if needed.
resOS tip: Most people want to book online. Set it up once, and bookings can come in while you sleep.
💡 Why it works: Most people want to book on their own time — evenings, weekends, or on the go. Be there when they’re ready.
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Turn your social media followers into real bookings with just one tap.
2. Get control over your tables
The problem: If you’re using pen and paper, it’s easy to get double bookings or mix-ups.
What to do:
- Use a digital floor plan to see which tables are booked.
- Know how many guests are coming and when.
- Set walk-ins fast without confusion.
resOS tip: Keep your floor plan updated and use ‘quick view’ to spot bottlenecks during service. You’ll turn tables faster and avoid mix-ups between walk-ins and bookings.
💡 Why it works: A clear table overview helps you make faster decisions and gives your team confidence.
3. Remember your guests (so they return)
The problem: Treating every guest like a stranger costs you repeat business.
What to do:
- Save notes like allergic to nuts or birthday on Feb 5.
- Check past bookings instantly to remember frequent diners.
- Personalise greetings or seating preferences for regulars.
resOS advice: A simple note like ‘prefers window seat’ makes guests feel valued. Your staff will look like pros — even if it’s a new team member serving them.
4. Avoid these 5 booking mistakes
| ❌ Mistake | 😬 What happens | ✅ resOS fix |
|---|---|---|
| Phone-only booking | Lost bookings & wasted time | Enable 24/7 online booking |
| Paper table plan | Double bookings, chaos | Use digital floor plan |
| No protection from no-shows | Lost revenue | Add card hold or prepayment |
| Forgetting guest details | Inconsistent service | Use guest notes and CRM |
| No tourist support | Missed international bookings | Enable multi-language booking |
resOS tip: Restaurants using our system see fewer no-shows, more repeat guests, and higher staff satisfaction. It’s not just about bookings — it’s about building smarter habits.
5. Imagine your restaurant running like clockwork
Picture this:
🌟 Friday night is fully booked — no stress.
🌟 A tourist books in their own language — no calls needed.
🌟 A table cancels, and your waitlist fills it automatically.
🌟 Your staff sees everything on a screen — no more paper.
📌 resOS advice: Use automated waitlists to fill cancelled spots, and reduce stress for your team. Everything’s synced —online reservations for your restaurant, notes, and availability — across every channel.
6. Follow these trends — or fall behind
| 🔍 Trend | 💬 Why it matters | 🛠 How resOS helps |
|---|---|---|
| Online-first guests | They expect instant access | Book from website or socials |
| Fewer no-shows | Lost tables = lost money | Add prepayment or card hold |
| Tourists on the rise | Language barriers hurt sales | Multi-language booking system |
| Speed + efficiency | Faster tables = more revenue | Real-time table planning |
| Personal touch | Creates loyal guests | Save guest history and notes |
Restaurants using our system see fewer no-shows, more repeat guests, and higher staff satisfaction. It’s not just about bookings — it’s about building smarter habits.
You can do this — without a massive budget
You don’t need to be a 3-star Michelin restaurant to have a fully booked week. You just need smart systems that:
- Let people book anytime, anywhere
- Help you avoid no-shows and mistakes
- Give guests a reason to return
resOS gives you all that — with no expensive setup or training required.
👉 Start your free trial today and watch your bookings grow.
