6 ways to fill more tables and protect your revenue
September is here, and it feels like a long goodbye to summer. While the days are still warm, it's the perfect time to reconnect with your guests, make them feel looked after, and get ready for the busy season ahead.
This guide walks you through 6 key features that can help you secure more bookings, reduce no-shows, bring guests back through your doors, and deliver an even better experience every time.
Heads up : not every feature here is available on every plan. If something's missing from your account, let us know here.
1. Payments : the best way to secure your bookings
Bookings are picking back up, and empty tables are expensive. A service without a deposit is like setting the table and crossing your fingers. To make the most of the busy season and enjoy a full house, don't forget to:
- Turn on deposits or pre-payment for your peak services
- Set your cancellation policy so a late cancellation or no-show doesn't cost you the prepayment
- Test a booking to check the guest journey end to end
All there is to know about payments activation
2. Auto reconfirmation: give your guests a little nudge
Your guests can have a lot on their plate, so a booking made in July is easy to forget by September. That's why a message the day before can make all the difference:
- Turn on automatic email/SMS reminders and reconfirmation requests ahead of every service
- Set your reminder timing to match how far ahead your guests typically book
- Make sure bookings are confirmed ahead of service, that's what triggers the automatic reminder
How CoverManager's reminders cut no-shows
3. Booking channels: your house, your rules
As demand returns, make it as easy as possible for guests to book through your own channels. Restaurants using CoverManager get direct, commission-free reservations through their own channels; website, Google, Instagram, and more. So don't forget to:
- Check that all your active booking channels are up to date for the new season
- Connect Google, Facebook, and Instagram directly to CoverManager so guests can book without ever leaving the app
- Track your channel mix in your stats to spot direct bookings climbing
Integrate Facebook & Instagram with your Channel Manager
4. CoverAssistant: never miss another booking call
A call that goes unanswered is a table that goes empty, and phone lines light up again once term restarts. Don't forget to:
- Let CoverAssistant answer and book incoming calls, even outside opening hours
- Check your call history to see which reservations it captured automatically
- Free up your team from the phone so they can focus on the room
5. Loyalty: reconnect with your guests after vacations
September brings an end to the slower pace of summer. For your guests this means going back to work, back to the daily commute and back to school. Unique visitors are only one message away from becoming regulars. You can get creative and reach out, make your guests feel like they are remembered and valued. Here are a few ideas to get started:
- Build a segment of guests inactive since summer
- Launch a personalized comeback email or SMS campaign
- Promote your new seasonal menu to give them a reason to come back
- Track opens and bookings generated in the campaign report
Loyalty & CRM tools in CoverManager
6. Guest tags: know your regulars to grow your revenue
A regular guest appreciates the little details that make them feel remembered. Tags let the whole team remember, even when memory fades after the break. Don't forget to:
- Turn on custom tags on guest profiles: VIP, allergy, occasion, seating preference
- Review the tags generated on your next few bookings
- Brief your floor team on reading and using tags during service