Before the Internet, people would choose where to eat by simply walking down the street. Nowadays, most people turn to the worldwide web to make their choices. There are tons of places where customers can discover your brand online, from reviews to social media. Once they find you, the first thing they'll look for is your website. Your site will essentially serve as a first impression of your brand -- it's important that you do everything possible to make sure it's a positive one.
The Importance of A Website: The Key To Restaurant Innovation
Hope to be a part of the restaurant revolution? Here's why you need a website.
Websites Can Improve User Experience
Running a restaurant isn't easy -- not only do you have to devise your own unique menu, but you also have to figure how to connect with potential consumers. Providing a compelling dining atmosphere is a great way to draw in passerby, but how do you attract customers that have never even seen your restaurant?
If you want to bring in new customers, you have to invest in a high-quality restaurant website. For many people, your website serves as an introduction to your business. Not only should your site be visually appealing, but it should also offer interesting content for consumers to enjoy. Making small adjustments, such as using an easy-to-read layout and incorporating images, can go a long way in impressing customers. According to online reports, a high-quality digital menu can increase restaurant sales by 65%.
Websites Let Customers Learn More About You
A person simply knowing that your restaurant exists isn't enough to turn them into a customer -- they also need to be able to learn more about your kitchen. What kind of food do you offer? What personality does your restaurant have? What makes you different from competitors? All of these questions help describe your restaurant's brand and can be deciding factors in whether somebody purchases a meal from you.
One of the best ways to share information about your food is by including an online menu -- about 86% of diners will look for one when they visit your page. Not only do menus help customers make decisions, but they also provide data about your consumers, letting you adapt to their needs.
A Good Website Can Boost Your SEO
SEO, or search engine optimization, is key to reaching new consumers. The higher you rank in search engines, the more website traffic you get. Some ways to help boost SEO include:
- Offering high-quality, informative content
- Having a technically smooth website
- Building back-links with other websites
- Using industry keywords
- Accumulating locally-based online reviews
It's also important that your website functions properly on both desktop and mobile applications. Approximately 70% of customers who search for local businesses on their phones will act on that search within the next hour -- if your website doesn't load properly on mobile devices, chances are they aren't going to be contacting your restaurant.
How to Optimize Your Website
Now that you know the importance of having a website, you may be wondering: how do I optimize it? Here are some tips for increasing the quality of your site.
Include Images
It's safe to say that people recall images better than they recall words. If your website is loaded with wordy details about your restaurant, the average customer probably won't remember it -- on the other hand, if your site is filled with visuals of your delicious food, customers are going to keep coming back. In some cases, imagery has been shown to double conversion rates, making it a valuable tool you don't want to ignore.
Make Your Site Informative
One of the central purposes of your website is to inform people about your business. You don't want to spend the time constructing a beautiful, high-functioning site, only for users to be unable to reach you. Some essential information you should include is:
- Contact information (such as address and phone number)
- Schedule
- Social media platforms
- Menu
Your website is also a great place to keep customers informed on any specials or promotions your restaurant may be offering.
Make It User-Friendly
There are two main things people notice when they visit a website: the visuals and the functionality. Along with offering a unique website design, you should sort out any technical bugs so that your website loads quickly and smoothly. Things like slow loading times, poor page layouts and lags will discourage customers immediately. Avoid including pages that require downloads, such as PDF menus, as these can inconvenience customers.
Provide Social Media Details
Ideally, customers will continue to interact with your brand long after they've ordered from you. To stay connected, you'll need to create some social media accounts -- over 60% of restaurants use social media and platforms like Google Posts to grow their brand. Provide access to your accounts on your site, and ensure the information is correct.
Include An Online Ordering System
Whether you supply your own delivery drivers or rely on food delivery apps, it's important that customers have an easy way to submit orders. Not only should your online ordering system be functional, but you should also be able to manage your incoming orders. Cuboh, a rising food technology platform, lets you streamline orders to a single device to improve order management. Build a more efficient business by investing in restaurant tech today!
