| The modern business must have a Web presence | | | | Does your staff repeatedly get bombarded by |
| that communicates its brand and basic information | | | | the same requests over and over again? A |
| to target audiences. Despite that 89% of | | | | great way to cut down on time spent fielding |
| Internet users research restaurants online, | | | | issues is to publicize that information on your |
| thousands of restaurants still have little or no | | | | website. Rather than having a potential |
| online presence. It's essential that restaurants | | | | customer call for driving directions to your |
| develop and maintain a basic website. You may | | | | restaurant, they can be downloaded by the |
| say that your business does not need a website, | | | | customer from your website, saving time and |
| that it's too expensive or you don't have time to | | | | hassle for both your staff and the customer. |
| create or maintain it. But when the purpose of a | | | | 5. To promote products or services. |
| website is to deliver value to your customers, | | | | Many restaurants offer products or catering |
| who in turn generate business, a website is | | | | services in addition to their general restaurant |
| essential. In the same way you satisfy | | | | operations. But many of your customers don't |
| customers when they visit your restaurant, you | | | | know this! Assign prominent areas of your |
| should satisfy their informational needs online. | | | | website to address the full breadth of your |
| For the restaurant owner or manager, there are | | | | restaurant's offerings and you will build greater |
| many benefits of having a website. Here are a | | | | awareness and generate more business. |
| few: | | | | 6. To publish timely content such as events or |
| 1. To generate awareness, exposure and extend | | | | promotions. |
| your brand. | | | | What do customers love? They love a good |
| Your website lets people know who you are and | | | | deal or promotion. When you publish simple |
| gives potential customers a feel for your | | | | promotions, such as a downloadable coupon on |
| restaurant, menu and atmosphere. You also have | | | | your website, it keeps your restaurant at the top |
| the opportunity to demonstrate to customers | | | | of your customers mind, and keeps them coming |
| why your restaurant is the right choice for | | | | back. |
| them. Remember, first impressions count. A | | | | 7. To serve the press. |
| smart, simple design will help you convey the | | | | In addition to serving customers, your website |
| professional-yet-appealing image you want. | | | | functions as a public relations tool. With tight |
| You have options when it comes to creating a | | | | press deadlines, media professionals writing about |
| website. The least expensive method is to (of | | | | your restaurant need things like high-quality |
| course) do it yourself. With some software, a | | | | imagery and text about your restaurant. By |
| reference guide or two, and your dedication, a | | | | making this information available on your website, |
| person with basic computer skills can have a | | | | you can make lives easier for the press and |
| simple website up within a week or less. You | | | | increase your chances of free media publicity. |
| may also decide to use a single provider who can | | | | 8. To build a relationship with customers. |
| handle everything from domain registration and | | | | A website is a great place for capturing customer |
| renewal to hosting, site design, development and | | | | feedback through comments and surveys. In |
| maintenance. Be sure to ask them if they use | | | | addition, a clean website with regularly updated |
| search Engine Optimization best practices when | | | | content and promotions is a place where |
| they build their sites and if they will help improve | | | | customers return again and again - just like they |
| the search results placement of your site once it | | | | will return to your restaurant. You can cultivate |
| launches. | | | | and maintain a one-on-one trusting relationship by |
| 2. To provide basic information such as hours of | | | | publishing a regular email newsletter that offers |
| operation, payment methods, and location. | | | | unique, interesting content and special deals to |
| While you most likely aren't available 24 hours a | | | | your subscribers. |
| day to answer these questions, your website, aka | | | | 9. To save you money. |
| your 'virtual storefront,' is always there to | | | | Having an online presence 24 hours a day is less |
| address visitors' questions. | | | | expensive than printed advertising, TV Spots, |
| 3. To enhance your competitive advantage. | | | | mailers and nearly any other form of promotion. |
| There is a good chance that other restaurants in | | | | And unlike the aforementioned materials, websites |
| your area have websites and are luring your | | | | can be updated as often as you like. The only |
| potential business because they can be found | | | | type of promotion you'll need once your website |
| more quickly. Many potential customers like to | | | | is launched is...promoting your website! |
| "comparison shop," researching several | | | | 10. To increase your business. |
| restaurants online before making a decision about | | | | Despite economic difficulties, customers still are |
| where to eat. Without a web presence, your | | | | going out to eat. They are just being more |
| restaurant may no longer be considered an option | | | | careful and analytical in their restaurant selection. |
| for them. You may also miss out on being listed | | | | As you may realize, a website is not something |
| in local online directories that feature your | | | | that you simply publish online and then ignore for |
| competitors. | | | | several years. The Internet is ever-evolving and |
| Before building your website, it is a good idea to | | | | new opportunities, from online and mobile ordering |
| check out what your competitors are doing | | | | to more sophisticated marketing ideas come up |
| online. It's a great way to get inspiration and | | | | almost daily that can benefit your business. It will |
| ideas and think about ways that you can | | | | benefit you in the long run to invest in your |
| differentiate yourself. | | | | restaurant's online presence and keep tabs on |
| 4. To improve internal efficiency and customer | | | | innovations and trends in restaurant website |
| service. | | | | design. |