AIS Media recently conducted a poll which showed that a huge 89% of consumers research a restaurant online before deciding to visit. Is your website reflecting your restaurant properly?
Your website is your best marketing tool and probably the most cost-effective. The first contact many people will have with your restaurant is your website.
In addition to looking at restaurant websites, a third of those polled said that they actively sought our other consumers' reviews online and based their decisions on those reviews. In the past, we have traditionally said that an unhappy customer will tell ten or so people about their experience. Today, they will post it online where millions can see it.
The internet means that people today plan ahead. Few travelers will go to a city for the first time without researching it online first. There was a time when hotel restaurants, or restaurants close to hotels, could count on an almost captive audience. No longer. So if a restaurant doesn't have a good online presence, it will go unnoticed.
Ensure that your website:
Is designed to reflect your establishment correctly
Has accurate and up-to-date information
Has driving directions and a custom map - no Google map, please!
Shows your menu pricing - lack of prices makes the potential guest wonder what you're hiding
Gives visitors information about what else is available in the area - local attractions and so on
Features professional reviews plus those from members of the public
Has plenty of photographs of your food and your interior decor
Other features you may consider:
Server of the month
Chef profile
Restaurant history
Awards
Recipes
Entertainment schedule
Meet the staff
Loyalty scheme details
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