Running a restaurant in Portland in 2026 means managing more marketing channels than most owners anticipated when they first opened. The good news is that most of what matters isn't complicated — it's a matter of getting the fundamentals in place and keeping them current.
Website Essentials
Website
Menu is a real HTML page, not a PDF link
Hours, address, and phone number visible on the homepage without scrolling
Address links directly to Google Maps
Phone number is tap-to-call on mobile
Clear call-to-action above the fold (Reservations, Order Online, or View Menu)
Site has an SSL certificate — URL begins with https://
Each page has a unique title tag and meta description
Google Business profile links to the correct, live URL
Photography Checklist
Photography
At least 5–8 professional photos of your hero dishes on your website
At least 3–4 interior and atmosphere shots showcasing the space
Google Business hero image taken within the last 18 months
Exterior photo on Google Maps for discoverability
Images optimized for web — not uploaded at original 8–12MB sizes
At least one portrait-orientation photo for mobile-first layouts
If you're missing items above, our website and photography bundle addresses most of this in a single session.
Google and Yelp Setup
Google & Yelp
Business name, address, phone, and hours are accurate and current
At least 10 customer reviews on Google
You respond to reviews — including negative ones — within 48 hours
Yelp listing is claimed and information matches Google exactly
At least 10 photos added to your Google Business profile
Google Business posts updated at least once per month
Menu linked directly in your Google Business Profile
Social Media Basics
Social Media
Posting at least 3× per week on your primary platform (Instagram for most food businesses)
Bio links directly to your website
Handle is consistent across all platforms
Using location tags on posts
Responding to DMs and comments within 24 hours
Most recent 9 posts look visually cohesive as a grid
Email Capture
Email
You have a method for collecting email addresses — online form, POS prompt, or in-person signup
If you have a list, you're emailing at least once per month
New subscribers receive a simple welcome email
Emails include a link back to your website or reservation system
Using a proper platform like
Mailchimp — not sending from a personal Gmail account
Seasonal Updates
Seasonal Upkeep
Holiday hours updated on Google and your website before the holiday — not after
Seasonal menu changes reflected on your website within one week of changing in-restaurant
At least 2–3 website photos refreshed annually
At least one seasonal promotion or email campaign per quarter
Website footer copyright year is current
Putting It All Together
The restaurants doing well with restaurant marketing in Portland, Oregon aren't necessarily spending more than their competitors — they're being more systematic. Most items on this Portland restaurant marketing checklist cost nothing but time and attention. The ones that do carry a cost — photography, a proper website, an email platform — deliver among the highest returns in the marketing mix.
Work through this checklist once, honestly. Then build a quarterly review into your calendar to check which items have drifted. The business that stays current online is the business that stays competitive in Portland's market. It's not more complicated than that.
