Seven handy things you can do with the Yelp app

To the untrained eye, Yelp is known as a tool for finding great local businesses. But did you know you can hire a contractor or get in a restaurant line from the comfort of your couch on the Yelp app? Read on for seven handy (and possibly surprising) things you can do with the Yelp app to make your life easier.

In a time where standing in crowded areas at the restaurant isn’t possible, you can use Yelp to make reservations or check the wait time at your favorite restaurants. With just a few phone taps, Yelp Waitlist allows diners to get in line before physically arriving at a restaurant. To use it, browse restaurants in your area on Yelp and find wait times that work with your schedule. You can add your name and party size to the waitlist from your phone, then get notified by text when your table is ready.

Taking a weekend road trip and need to compile all the places you want to explore? Bookmark all the businesses you want to check out on your Yelp mobile app and add them to your “Weekend Road Trip” collection. Now you have a travel guide right in your back pocket that you can even share with friends! Yelp Collections are a great tool to remember to visit the places you’ve been meaning to try or curate lists of your favorite spots.

Using this time at home to tackle home projects like restoring a weathered deck or trimming the trees? Need to shop around for a few opinions? Connecting with multiple businesses is easy with the Request a Quote Bulk Messaging tool. After requesting a quote from one business, Yelp will suggest up to 10 other similar businesses in your area to send the same request to. This way you’re getting the most out of your Yelp search and aren’t spending all day making calls. Faster response times lead to faster results, and you getting that drain unclogged, pronto.

Order your go-to boba tea or fried chicken for delivery straight to your doorstep. Hoping to mix things up? Read the reviews to find a new-to-you favorite. You can also use this tool to order carryout!

Consumer trust and safety is a top priority for Yelp and now more than ever people want peace of mind as they consider returning to their favorite local businesses. To help bridge that gap, Yelp is introducing multiple new features that will help businesses and consumers as establishments reopen their doors. This includes details on health and safety measures implemented by the business and updates to their service offerings. Businesses can indicate if they’re offering dine-in service, outdoor seating, in-person visits, as well as virtual services, curbside pickup and delivery options. 

On the hunt for an adventure in your own backyard? Discovering newly opened businesses (near or far) is at your fingertips with the “Hot and New” feature on Yelp. Type the words “hot and new” into the search and you’ll uncover new businesses to support near you.

On a budget and searching for deals from your favorite local businesses? To find businesses offering Yelp Deals, search the site and keep an eye out for the little green tag that shows up on results.