There was a time where people would want to try a new place to eat, and simply go there to test it out. Those days are for better or worse gone. Anymore, any time people are about to try your restaurant for the first time the google it first. They want to see what the reviews are, they want to see what your menu has, and most importantly they want to see who you are and what you look like. The inside of your restaurant is no longer peoples first impression of you. Your website will be the first thing they see, and like it or not is the face of your company. And in order to attract new customers you need to make a good impression. However, besides that, there are many other reasons as to why as a restaurant you need to have a high quality website.
You Save Cost On Advertising
Print ads and commercials are expensive. With a website you can display an endless amount of print information at a fraction of the cost. Information is available 24/7 to anyone with internet access and you can easily update out-dated information on your website whereas the cost of re-printing flyers is far greater. Furthermore, you are able to reach a vastly larger audience, with a much smaller amount of work. Especially if you link your site to your social media, then you are essentially killing two birds with one stone.
You Can Easily Provide Customers with Key Information
It doesn’t matter if it’t location, the menu, or daily specials, customers want an easy way to access that information, and a well designed website is the easiest way to provide that information and ensure that when people visit your site, their mind is made up. The easier this information is to access and the nicer it looks, the happier they’ll be, and the more likely to come to you.
You Can Include Customer Reviews
You can include customer testimonials on your website or if your restaurant has been lucky enough to be featured in a publication such as a review by a restaurant critic in a newspaper you can link to this from your site. This will help to build your restaurant’s credibility.
A website may also help your chances of being reviewed by bloggers as they have a resource to gain information about your history to add to their article.
It Enables You To Get Your Name Out There
When people are looking for information the first place they will look is on the web. It is important that if someone is looking for your business they can find the information that they need quickly so they are less likely to become disgruntled and consider your competitor(s).
It Allows You To Brand Yourself
A website will help your business to build a professional image. Particularly if you are just starting out, a website is a great method for helping customers become acquainted with your brand. With the correct marketing it may even convince customers to seek you out and try for themselves. High quality images will help entice customers to visit.
It Makes You Stand Out Above Your Competitors
If all of your competitors have an online presence it only makes sense that you should too. Many competing restaurants may already use a website to promote themselves; stealing your business. A well-presented easy to use website will help you highlight what you do well and may persuade customers to pick you over alternatives. Lack of a website may also suggest that you are no willing to invest into your business.
Managing Becomes Easier
You can easily add an online booking link or app to your website giving your customers a quick way to make reservations or order on the go. These can go straight to a company phone and everything becomes streamlined and easier to manage.
It Offers A Way To Promote Other Services
A website gives you a channel to promote your other services. Offer catering or private events? Creating pages for these and using SEO can generate more business.
All of these reasons are why your restaurant needs a high quality website, and its only going to get more and more important that you do. If you don’t your business will only fall farther behind. The bright side is that its really easy and cost effective to do. It not only grows your business, but makes running it easier as well, while simultaneously making your customers happier. What other incentive do you need.
