How to Use Your Google Business Profile

to Drive Direct Restaurant Orders

When someone searches for your restaurant on Google, your Google Business Profile is almost always the first thing they see — before your website, before Yelp, before anything else. What happens next depends entirely on where you send them.

Most restaurant profiles link to DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub for online ordering. Every customer who clicks those links costs you 15–30% in commission. But with a few simple changes, you can redirect that traffic to your own ordering channels — for free.

Update Your Website URL

This is the most impactful change and it takes 30 seconds.

Log into your Google Business Profile (business.google.com). Under "Info," find the website field. Replace whatever's there with your Gegsy Storefront link (yourrestaurant.gegsy.app).

Now when a customer clicks "Website" on your Google listing, they land on your branded ordering page — not a generic homepage or a third-party app.

Gegsy Tip: Your storefront is a fully functional ordering page, so sending Google traffic there means customers can browse your menu and order immediately — no extra clicks.

Add an Order Link

Google Business Profile lets you add action links, including an "Order Online" button. Go to your profile, find "Order ahead links" or "Food ordering," and add your Gegsy Storefront URL as a first-party ordering link.

Google distinguishes between first-party links (your own ordering page) and third-party links (DoorDash, etc.). Your first-party link gets priority placement. If you only add your own link and remove third-party links, the "Order Online" button goes directly to your storefront.

Add Your App Download Links

In your Business Profile description and posts, mention that customers can download your app. Include your App Store and Google Play links. You can also add these as website links in your profile.

Example description line: "Order pickup and delivery through our app or website — download from the App Store or Google Play, or order at yourrestaurant.gegsy.app."

Post Regularly

Google Business Profile supports posts — short updates with images that appear on your listing. Use these to promote your direct ordering:

• "New: order directly from our website — no app download needed. Visit yourrestaurant.gegsy.app"
• "Download our app and earn loyalty rewards on every order"
• "This week only: 15% off your first direct order. Use code GOOGLE15"

Posts expire after 7 days, so make it a habit to publish one weekly. This also signals to Google that your profile is active, which helps with local search rankings.

Respond to Reviews and Mention Your App

When you reply to positive reviews, naturally mention your direct ordering channels:

"Thank you! Next time, try ordering through our app — you'll earn loyalty points on every order."

This isn't spammy — it's helpful. And it puts your app in front of every potential customer who reads reviews before ordering.

Upload Fresh Photos

Profiles with more photos get significantly more clicks. Upload high-quality photos of your food, your restaurant, and even a screenshot of your app or storefront. Aim to add 2–3 new photos per month.

Remove Third-Party Ordering Links (Optional)

If third-party platforms have added their ordering links to your profile (DoorDash and Uber Eats do this automatically in many markets), you can request to have them removed or deprioritized. Go to your profile's "Food ordering" section and ensure your first-party link is set as the preferred option.

This doesn't remove you from DoorDash or Uber Eats — it just ensures that when customers find you on Google, they're directed to your ordering page first.

The Impact

Google is where most customers start when they want to order from a specific restaurant. By directing that traffic to your own channels, you convert the highest-intent customers — people who are already searching for your restaurant by name — into direct orderers instead of third-party commission payers.

One change to your website URL. One ordering link added. Zero ongoing cost. Thousands in saved commission over a year.

👉 Get your storefront live so you have a link worth sending Google traffic to.