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      Reserve with Google

      You can attract more guests in to booking a table with you by connecting your aleno account to Google's own reservation system, Reserve With Google.

      About Reserve With Google

      Reserve with Google (RwG) simplifies how customers discover and book services from local businesses, including dining reservations at restaurants. By integrating aleno, an official partner of Reserve with Google, your restaurant can tap into Google's vast network, allowing potential guests to book a table directly through Google Search, Maps, or Assistant. This integration not only enhances your restaurant's visibility but also streamlines the reservation process, ensuring real-time synchronization with the aleno platform.

      Key Benefits

      • Increased reservation channels via Google.
      • Real-time booking synchronisation.
      • Simplified reservation process for guests.
      • Enhanced visibility on Google without extra fees.

      Differences to your aleno widget

      Guests that go through Reserve With Google do not use your aleno widget to make reservations.

      The reservation goes through Google's native UI which does not have all of the customisation options of your aleno widget.

      For example, in your aleno widget you can specify custom questions like dietary restrictions, which RwG does not support. This means that reservations coming through RwG won't have the same information as those that come through your aleno widget.

      Setting Up Reserve with Google with aleno

      Preparations

      1. Ensure your restaurant is operational on the aleno reservation system. Book a free demo if you're not yet onboard.
      2. Check your restaurant's address matches in both Google My Business and aleno. Create a Google Business account if needed.
      3. Schedule at least one shift with availability for the upcoming 90 days on aleno.

      Installation Steps

      1. Visit the integration request page in aleno Marketplace and select "Request Access".

      2. Our team will reach out to you with a price quote, depending on the number of restaurants you want to install it for.

      3. At this point, aleno will establish the connection between your account and Google.

      4. Your restaurant should be live within the next 48 hours.

      Once this process is complete, reservations made via Reserve With Google will automatically sync with your aleno system.

       

      Data Synced from Google to aleno

      Customer profiles and reservation details

      Reservation Status

      • CONFIRMED: Standard status for new reservations.
      • PROVISIONAL: For reservations made in buffer periods or as group bookings.
      • CANCELLED: Notifications are sent in real time for any cancellations or changes.
      • CC REQUESTED: For reservations requiring credit card details due to payment-enabled shifts.

      Managing Group Reservations and Availability

      • Group bookings are capped at 20 people, aligning with Google's maximum and your shift settings.
      • Availability considers online lock status, shift capacity, and booking timeframes.
      • Slot data is uploaded to Google for 90-day bookings.

      Reservation Dynamics

      Understanding Online Reservation Deadline Time & Days

      When searching for available times to book a table through RwG, we meticulously consider the deadline times and days for online reservations. This means that for every slot shown as available, there's a specific cutoff time by which you must book. However, there might be instances where Google doesn't update these slots in real-time, and they appear available even after the deadline. In such cases, RwG still performs a check at the time of booking. If the deadline has indeed passed, the guests will be informed that the slot is "no longer available." This process ensures that the availability you see is always up-to-date and reliable.

      Setting Limits for the Number of Guests

      When a customer makes a reservation using Reserve with Google, there are preset limits on the number of guests that can be included in a single booking. These limits are determined by the restaurant's settings in aleno, specifying the minimum and maximum number of guests allowed per reservation. This policy ensures that the restaurant can provide the best possible service, whether it's a cozy dinner for two or a larger celebration within the specified guest limits.

      What Does Online Buffer Mean?

      In the context of RwG, the "online buffer" refers to a special holding area for bookings that require additional confirmation or review. When a reservation is made that falls into this category, it's initially marked as provisional within the RwG system. This provisional status means you're in the process of finalizing the details of the guests booking. It's a safeguard to ensure that every aspect of the reservation meets both the guests expectations and your restaurant's capabilities before it's fully confirmed.

      How Long Can A Guest Stay? 

      The reservation duration is typically determined by the restaurant and communicated through RwG. This duration helps manage dining experiences and ensures that subsequent guests can be accommodated according to schedule. If a restaurant doesn't specify a duration, the default assumption is that your reservation extends until the end of the restaurant's current shift.

      How many tables can be booked at once? 

      RwG allows guests to book tables at intervals set by the restaurant, known as timeslots. These intervals, e.g. every 15 minutes meaning one can find available times like 6:00 PM, 6:15 PM, help organize the day's reservations efficiently. This structured approach streamlines the reservation process, ensuring a smooth dining experience for every guest.

      Communication and Payment Integration

      Communication via Emails & SMS with RwG

      Upon making a reservation through RwG, both a confirmation email from Google and an email from the restaurant are sent to the guest. If your restaurant has enabled SMS notifications in Aleno, a text message will also be dispatched. This multi-channel communication strategy ensures that guests receive all necessary details about their reservation, reducing the chance of no-shows.

      Reducing No-Shows with Payment Integration

      Although RwG does not directly support payments at this time, integrating it with aleno offers a smart way to reduce no-shows at your restaurant. When your restaurant requires a deposit or prepayment for reservations, aleno steps in to handle this smoothly. Here's how it works:

      1. Reservation Made: A guest makes a reservation through RwG. Since your restaurant requires a deposit, the reservation is marked with a "cc requested" status.
      2. Credit Card Request: The guest receives an email from aleno asking for their credit card details to secure the booking. This email is in addition to the usual confirmation from Google.
      3. Confirmation and Security: Once the guest provides their credit card details via the aleno link, their reservation status is updated to "confirmed." If the guest fails to provide these details in time, the reservation is automatically canceled, marked as "cc auto-dismissed" in both aleno and Google.

      This process not only ensures that your bookings are backed by a financial commitment from guests but also significantly lowers the likelihood of no-shows. By requiring credit card details, guests are more committed to showing up for their reservation or canceling in advance if their plans change, freeing up the table for other diners. 

      Adding Reservation Comments

      With the RwG integration, guests have the option to add comments during the booking process. These comments are then seamlessly synced with aleno, allowing you to tailor the dining experience to meet your guests' needs or preferences.

      Default Capacity Per Timeslot

      Reserve with Google takes into account the default capacity per timeslot as configured in Aleno. This ensures that each booking aligns with your restaurant's ability to provide the best possible service, maintaining the quality of the dining experience for all guests.

      Troubleshooting and Limitations

      • Time slots are filled sequentially across shifts, with potential future adjustments for efficiency.
      • Customisation of the booking widget is limited to default Google settings.

       

      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

      What happens if my restaurant's reservation slots are full?

      If all the slots for a particular shift are full, that shift will temporarily be removed from Google Maps until availability opens up again. It's important to regularly update your shift availability in aleno to ensure your restaurant remains visible for potential bookings on Google.

      Can I set a limit on the number of guests for reservations made through Google?

      Yes, you can set limits for the minimum and maximum number of guests per reservation in your shift settings on aleno. These limits will be respected in the booking process through Reserve with Google, ensuring that all reservations comply with your restaurant's capacity policies.

      What should I do if I don't see the "Reserve" button on Google Maps for my restaurant?

      After adding RwG integration, it can take up to 24 hours for your restaurant's information and availability feed to update on Google. For new additions, Google may take more than 48 hours to verify your business and match address information. If the "Reserve" button is still not visible after 2 business days, please reach out to our support team for assistance.

      Are payments through Reserve with Google supported?

      Currently, RwG does not support direct payments. However, if your restaurant has payment requirements for reservations, such bookings will be marked with a "CC REQUESTED" status. Guests will then receive an email from aleno to provide credit card details. Implementing SMS notifications is recommended to ensure guests receive all necessary information for confirming their reservation.

      How are reservation durations determined through RwG?

      The duration of a reservation made through RwG is determined by the "duration of reservation" setting in your aleno account. If this field is left empty, the default reservation end time will be set to the shift's end time.

      How can I remove or disable the RwG integration?

      To remove the RwG integration from your aleno account, reach out to our support team at support@aleno.me. Our team will disable the integration immediately and remove the pricing line item from your future invoices.