Does a Restaurant Need a Website?
November 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Ask An Expert
Atlanta Restaurant Exchange asked:
I believe that any business will benefit from having a website. I have worked with internet marketing for many years, and I have seen that people feel like a business has “validity” when they have a website. I do not do this commercially, however it is a passion and hobby of mine. I have created many websites.
One main point is that it should not cost a fortune to have a website. An excellent one page site and maybe a contact page is easy to accomplish. Microsoft Office Live www.officelive.com/ is offering a free domain and hosting for one year, as well as providing an easy way to create your own website without any experience.
Keep it simple is an adage that works well here. People need to only know the vital information about your business. IE: Cuisine, address, contact info, reviews, etc.
There are many ways to promote yourself on the internet. One example is the last restaurant that I owned. Go to google and type in: hot dog charlotte
My place is the first that comes up. City Hot Dogs, or my site www.cityhotdogs.com .. My site is still active, however it tells my friends in Charlotte that I have relocated to Atlanta!
I would be glad to assist anyone who wants to increase their presence on the internet if you currently have a site. Any GRA member is welcome to contact me, and we can meet at my office for 30 minutes and I will provide you with enough information and simple tips to get you started, at no charge! I will provide this information on a personal basis, but not publish it here, because I support the small business folks who are making their living doing this type of work while supporting the restaurant industry.
If you don’t have the time to make your own site, look at the GRA website buyers guide and you will find great resources to create a website for you, and these people can help you optimize your site to be found on the search engines. I would highly suggest that you use one of the GRA partners to do you site. The main thing that you have with these folks is personal contact.
Every day, every restaurant receives solicitation phone calls (especially during lunch hour, don’t they know they are calling a restaurant!!!) and many big companies try to sell you a site for more than 250.00 per month. Once your site is up, their job is done. Spend your money wisely, and preferably with a local designer who knows their stuff (and preferably a supporter of GRA)
So, in summary, Yes, in my experience, a website is important, however, it does not have to cost an arm and a leg!
Doug Marranci
Atlanta Restaurant Exchange
Restaurant Brokers Atlanta Georgia
We sell restaurants in Atlanta and the Atlanta Metro Area
I believe that any business will benefit from having a website. I have worked with internet marketing for many years, and I have seen that people feel like a business has “validity” when they have a website. I do not do this commercially, however it is a passion and hobby of mine. I have created many websites.
One main point is that it should not cost a fortune to have a website. An excellent one page site and maybe a contact page is easy to accomplish. Microsoft Office Live www.officelive.com/ is offering a free domain and hosting for one year, as well as providing an easy way to create your own website without any experience.
Keep it simple is an adage that works well here. People need to only know the vital information about your business. IE: Cuisine, address, contact info, reviews, etc.
There are many ways to promote yourself on the internet. One example is the last restaurant that I owned. Go to google and type in: hot dog charlotte
My place is the first that comes up. City Hot Dogs, or my site www.cityhotdogs.com .. My site is still active, however it tells my friends in Charlotte that I have relocated to Atlanta!
I would be glad to assist anyone who wants to increase their presence on the internet if you currently have a site. Any GRA member is welcome to contact me, and we can meet at my office for 30 minutes and I will provide you with enough information and simple tips to get you started, at no charge! I will provide this information on a personal basis, but not publish it here, because I support the small business folks who are making their living doing this type of work while supporting the restaurant industry.
If you don’t have the time to make your own site, look at the GRA website buyers guide and you will find great resources to create a website for you, and these people can help you optimize your site to be found on the search engines. I would highly suggest that you use one of the GRA partners to do you site. The main thing that you have with these folks is personal contact.
Every day, every restaurant receives solicitation phone calls (especially during lunch hour, don’t they know they are calling a restaurant!!!) and many big companies try to sell you a site for more than 250.00 per month. Once your site is up, their job is done. Spend your money wisely, and preferably with a local designer who knows their stuff (and preferably a supporter of GRA)
So, in summary, Yes, in my experience, a website is important, however, it does not have to cost an arm and a leg!
Doug Marranci
Atlanta Restaurant Exchange
Restaurant Brokers Atlanta Georgia
We sell restaurants in Atlanta and the Atlanta Metro Area
Restaurant Coupons Offer A Great Way To Have A Low Cost Night On The Town
Fred Thom asked:
It is no secret; restaurants are hurting right now, especially some of the nicer ones. This has caused the restaurant industry to implement new ways to build loyal clientele. One of the best ways they have found is using restaurant coupons. These have consistently drawn people in for a new visit or a repeat visit.
The challenge is to find the most desired and valuable coupons. Some restaurants offer the coupons because they are not really good places to eat. But why eat at a restaurant like that, when you can have a great meal AND save money? Many communities put out an Entertainment booklet that you can purchase. This is a good place to start. Once you have the booklet, go online, usually to your local newspaper or alternate newspaper website where you may find restaurant reviews. By combining what you find out in the reviews and what coupons you have at your disposal, you should be able to find a few gems in this booklet. They will normally be newer restaurants that have not completely been able to establish their reputation broadly in the community.
If you know that a restaurant that is clearly a great place to eat, you should seek out their website directly if they have one. Many do these days. If they are effectively marketing they will offer you a place to sign up for a newsletter, special events or discounts. By exchanging your email with them, you will get what are probably the best offers. They know you signed up for a reason, and this has created their most loyal customer database. Hopefully you will be rewarded for your efforts.
One of the absolute best places to get restaurant coupons is at a website called www.restaurant.com. This site has some 50% off offers and other really good deals on a wide range of restaurants. Unfortunately they do not always have a lot in the smaller towns, but if you live in a metro area, you should not miss out on this resource. With a little detective work, you will be enjoying a great, low cost night out.
It is no secret; restaurants are hurting right now, especially some of the nicer ones. This has caused the restaurant industry to implement new ways to build loyal clientele. One of the best ways they have found is using restaurant coupons. These have consistently drawn people in for a new visit or a repeat visit.
The challenge is to find the most desired and valuable coupons. Some restaurants offer the coupons because they are not really good places to eat. But why eat at a restaurant like that, when you can have a great meal AND save money? Many communities put out an Entertainment booklet that you can purchase. This is a good place to start. Once you have the booklet, go online, usually to your local newspaper or alternate newspaper website where you may find restaurant reviews. By combining what you find out in the reviews and what coupons you have at your disposal, you should be able to find a few gems in this booklet. They will normally be newer restaurants that have not completely been able to establish their reputation broadly in the community.
If you know that a restaurant that is clearly a great place to eat, you should seek out their website directly if they have one. Many do these days. If they are effectively marketing they will offer you a place to sign up for a newsletter, special events or discounts. By exchanging your email with them, you will get what are probably the best offers. They know you signed up for a reason, and this has created their most loyal customer database. Hopefully you will be rewarded for your efforts.
One of the absolute best places to get restaurant coupons is at a website called www.restaurant.com. This site has some 50% off offers and other really good deals on a wide range of restaurants. Unfortunately they do not always have a lot in the smaller towns, but if you live in a metro area, you should not miss out on this resource. With a little detective work, you will be enjoying a great, low cost night out.
