| If your restaurant website is missing these basics, | | | | someone searches for a specific item on your |
| you could be missing out on customers | | | | menu near your location, you will show up higher |
| Every website is different depending on what | | | | in search engine results and have a better chance |
| industry you are in. The basics are the same, you | | | | of getting that diners business. |
| want to give the user as much information as | | | | 3. Directions |
| you can in an organized fashion as well as provide | | | | If customers can't get to you, they can't dine at |
| them with a way to interact with you and your | | | | your restaurant. With the advancement of map |
| website. But when it comes down to the fine | | | | apis (Google, MapQuest, etc), customers can |
| tuned details, every industry has specific needs. In | | | | easily get directions directly to you right on your |
| this article I will explain what a restaurant website | | | | website. If you don't have a map, at least provide |
| should have and why. | | | | a few sets of directions to your restaurant from |
| 1. Your location | | | | different locations. This will keep the user on your |
| In my opinion this is number 1. The most | | | | website, rather than having to go elsewhere to |
| important aspect of your restaurant website is | | | | try and find directions to your location |
| giving searching diners the ability to find your | | | | 4. Online reservations |
| restaurant. For example, say I want to go out for | | | | Online reservations are extremely user friendly. If |
| Thai food in Woodbridge NJ. I'm going to go to | | | | you take reservations at your restaurant, the |
| Google.com, and search for "Thai restaurants | | | | ability to make reservations online is a must. A |
| woodbridge nj". If your restaurant website is not | | | | professional website developer will be able to |
| indexed as a Thai restaurant in Woodbridge NJ, I | | | | assist you in creating a user friendly experience |
| won't find you and I'll go elsewhere. | | | | that is simple and effective. |
| 2. Your menu, and not just a PDF | | | | 5. Mailing List |
| Very close behind your location is your menu. And | | | | A mailing list gives customers the ability to stay |
| not just an image or a PDF. A full text menu | | | | up to date with your news and offers. This is a |
| including prices will get you the best results. | | | | great way to build trust and relationships with |
| Search engines can't index content in an image or | | | | your users. By sending them updates once in a |
| PDF. They simply cannot read them. A text menu | | | | while, they will constantly know what's going on at |
| gives search engines the ability to crawl all of your | | | | your restaurant and you will always be on their |
| content and index you based that content. So if | | | | mind when they think of dining. |