Your restaurant "online" - get your feet wet

We've talked to hundreds if not thousands of restaurant managers and the reality is many don't completely understand the Internet landscape. They're still living in the world of "hits per month" or "I've got my own website". They don't know that search engine optimization, directory placement, inbound links and other strategies are what drive traffic to their websites (which translates to customers). They're not seeing that the landscape has changed. More people are blogging, creating myspace/facebook accounts and really embracing the social networks.

Just yesterday, I met with a restaurant owner and his objection to MenuSearch was that he doesn't know anything about the Internet. He doesn't have email. He doesn't have a website. He doesn't know how to get on to the world wide web. I've talked and blogged about this perception. What this owner won't accept is that 55-60% of his customers have email, surf websites, blog about or link their myspace page to their favorite restaurants. He's missing a vast group of customers by telling himself his "customers don't use the Internet".

Many restaurants "base" customer demographics are changing and the restaurant need to recognize this and adapt if they want to keep the doors open. Many restaurants are "buckling down" to ride out the economic hardships and we understand that but you can't freeze your operation. You'll be out of business (see next blog).

Here's "the" formula that will help your restaurant.

1. Implement a web presence - join a directory (or better yet, a network of directories) that will highlight your restaurant and your signature dishes. Approximate cost $100-300.
2. Let us create a temporary website - We have a solution that is affordable and less than a web development project but we know you will eventually want/need a website of your own. When that day comes, expect to pay between $500-2000 for a website to be developed and about $100 a year in hosting fees.
3. Incorporate your website and directory listings in your literature (menus, coupons, signage, etc.) so that people know where to find you. See us on www.xyz.com or something like it. There is very little cost to do so.
4. Once you've gotten your feet wet, you can now consider online ordering. This is something that is really catching on fast. We know this is the future of restaurants and we're partnering with an exceptional company to provide you a solution - when you're ready. Depending on the service, you can pay between $700-2000 per year with a percentage of the online sales being paid back to the service. When our solution is in place, we'll be below this estimate.

This is a lot of information to digest but in this day and age you need have a web presence and grow with the times. Start small and grow into tomorrow's web solutions.