December is the busiest month for San Antonio restaurants. Holiday parties, family dinners, out-of-town visitors, New Year’s Eve celebrations…everyone is eating out. And when they’re choosing where to go, the first place they check is Google.
If your Google Business Profile isn’t updated for the holidays, you’re invisible at the worst possible time.
Update Your Holiday Hours Immediately
This is the most critical update of the year. Google lets you set special hours for holidays…use it. Add your hours for:
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- New Year’s Eve
- New Year’s Day
If you’re closed, say so. If you have modified hours, list them. If you’re taking reservations only, note it. Nothing kills a restaurant’s reputation faster than a family driving across town on Christmas Eve only to find you closed when Google said you were open. Our 2023 holiday GBP checklist for restaurants walks through the full process step by step.
Post Your Holiday Menu
If you have a special holiday menu, prix fixe dinner, or New Year’s Eve event, create a Google Business Profile post about it. Include:
- What’s on the menu
- The price
- How to reserve
- A beautiful photo of your holiday dishes
These posts appear right on your profile in search results. When someone searches “Christmas Eve dinner San Antonio,” a restaurant on the River Walk with a detailed holiday post stands out from competitors with bare profiles.
Promote Gift Cards
Gift cards are a December goldmine for restaurants. Add a post to your Google Business Profile promoting them:
- “The perfect gift for the foodie in your life…gift cards available in any amount”
- Include a link to purchase online
- Mention if you’re offering a bonus (buy a $50 card, get $10 free)
Gift cards drive revenue now and bring new customers through your door in January and February. Pair those new January visitors with a strong local SEO push for the new year to keep the momentum going.
Respond to Recent Reviews
The holidays bring an influx of diners, many of whom will leave reviews. Stay on top of them. A review left unanswered during your busiest season sends a message that you’re too busy to care. Take five minutes each morning to respond.
Pay extra attention to any negative reviews during this period. Holiday stress makes people more likely to complain publicly. A quick, empathetic response can turn a critic into a regular.
Add Festive Photos
Show off your holiday decorations, your seasonal cocktails, your beautifully set dining room. These photos help people imagine their holiday experience at your restaurant and make your profile pop compared to competitors who haven’t updated since summer.
A restaurant near La Villita with holiday photos, updated hours, and an active posting schedule will dominate local search this December.
Make December Count
The revenue you generate this month can set the tone for all of 2025. Don’t let a neglected Google Business Profile hold you back. For a look at how restaurants can turn summer tourists into regulars through their profile, see our guide on GBP optimization for summer tourist season.
Need help managing your restaurant’s online presence? Visit gift.growmysmallbusiness.com and let us handle your profile while you handle the kitchen.