Restaurant websites are talked about less often, but still very relevant. Trendy topics like online ordering and delivery apps take up the spotlight in the news. So, how important is your restaurant website to getting you more customers?
It tells about your restaurant - and Google likes that
If a customer doesn't already know about your restaurant, they have to discover it somehow. Customers are more savvy than ever, and they're searching for new restaurants.
This gives you a few places to catch them. Local (from Google Maps), Google Search, and Social.
Two out of 3 is influenced directly by the content on your website. Including your restaurant name, address, phone number (NAP) on your website are the most important basics. In a future article, we will explain the best ways to optimize your restaurant website for search (SEO).
Restaurant Websites set expectations
Your website helps to set an expectation about your restaurant. Are you casual or formal? Is it loud or intimate? Answering these questions help your customer along with picking a place. We recommend adding pictures that showcase the interior of your restaurant and the location.
Customers want to see your menu (and pictures)
When surveyed, customers say that the #1 thing they look for on a restaurant website is the menu. This gives you the opportunity to showcase what makes your restaurant special, and to catch their eye on something they would really love. Make sure your menu works well and is responsive on mobile.
Google also looks for menu information to provide recommendations to customers searching and on Google Maps. Having a menu structured in HTML is the most important first step to help Google crawl your menu - this means parting ways with the PDF.
It only shows Your menu
As places like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Foursquare try to monopolize your restaurant reviews and information. Having a website that shows YOUR content instead of your competition becomes even more valuable.
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