If your food and beverage website isn’t cutting it, you’re probably due for a website redesign. Your website should be an extension of your restaurant – a place online where patrons and new customers can visit to easily find you and learn more about your selections, hours of operation, location, and more. There’s no shame in not having an effective food and beverage website. The shame is not doing something about it. Read on to discover how easy and profitable a website redesign can be.
Why People Visit Restaurant Websites
In a recent study, it was revealed that 77% of diners check out a restaurant’s website prior to dining at or ordering out from the establishment. Imagine how many visit sites and decide not to do business with the restaurant because their site stinks.
People visit websites in general for various reasons such as to learn more about a product or service. A food and beverage website takes even more precedence than most sites because it has quite a job to fulfil including:
To Entice. Imagine going to a restaurant website and seeing the most delectable photo of a perfectly grilled steak, beautifully displayed with a plump baked potato oozing with melted butter. You can almost taste it. You have to have it! A restaurant website must grab the viewer’s attention, make their stomach growl, and reel them in.
To Engage. Once a viewer is in, the site must keep them there. What’s the full scope of the menu? What is the atmosphere like in your establishment? What is the background of your restaurant? All the things that are important to you are important to your audience as well.
To Promote Brand Identity. Your restaurant’s brand identity is the unique personality of your establishment. Is it upscale? Maybe it is casual and fun? Do you have a famous chef? Whatever it is about your establishment you want to impart to others can be brought to life by an expert in your website redesign through your logo, color pallet, font size and type, written content, and imagery.
To Inform. You’ll want to clearly state your hours of operation, geographical location and directions, and include a copy of your menu and special events. Don’t forget to add customer reviews, blogs, and other entertaining and informative relative content.
To Involve. Bring your viewers in by showing pictures of other customers enjoying their meals. Take polls. Allow them to add reviews and ask questions. Posting on social media encourages involvement too. The more you can get your customers to take an active part on your site, the better.
To Be Interactive. Customers should be able to call and/or order online.
How to Approach a Website Redesign
The number one reason for a website redesign is to correct what’s not working. That may entail adding extra features, updating, and implementing SEO. Let’s take a closer look at the improvements that a redesign can offer.
SEO. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of using keywords that users search for to bring them to your site. Search engines love restaurants when the proper keywords are implemented. If you’re not utilizing SEO in your content, you’re missing out. A web redesign expert will enhance your site with keyword-rich written and visual content.
Local Motion. Since your restaurant is a place people physically dine in or order out from, it’s wise to capitalize on the location by marketing according to your town. Why compete with a restaurant in New York if you are in Los Angeles? By focusing on the geographic location in your marketing strategy, you’re likely to attract customers who will actually do business with you.
Modernizing. In technology, things change quickly and if you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind. If your food and beverage website doesn’t have the latest bells and whistles, like interactive features so customers can click to order or click to call, you definitely need a redesign.
Experience Matters. A restaurant entails more than food. You are (or should be) selling an experience too. If your current site isn’t selling the atmosphere of your establishment and the reward those who dine there receive, it is falling short.
Professional Touch. If your original site wasn’t designed by a professional, chances are good that it shows. Experts who specialize in website redesign are able to work miracles to give your site a facelift.
Website Rebranding. Along with website redesign often comes website rebranding. Branding is bringing your food and beverage establishment to life. It’s giving it personality and making it unique. If your restaurant has no real identity, it’s time to give it one.
Easy Navigation. People are busy. A visitor to your site is not going to stick around to figure out how to get from one page to another. Navigation should be smooth sailing – not frustrating.
Social Media. No matter how you make a buck, social media is an important part of any marketing strategy, especially in the restaurant industry. Seventy-one percent of customers are more likely to recommend an eating and drinking establishment if they are responded to on social media. Over 10% said they choose their restaurants based on social media presence. Furthermore, social media is a great outlet to let those who live in your area know about specials and promotions along with services such as catering or delivery. A link pointing readers to your website is ideal and can be achieved by an experienced web designer.
Mobile-Friendly. If your current site isn’t mobile-friendly, don’t delay. You need to order a redesign today. Sixty percent of all mobile orders originate on a smartphone or mobile device. If you’re not set up to receive mobile orders, you can bet the restaurant down the street is.
How it All Boils Down
The food and drink industry is extremely competitive, especially in locations like Los Angeles County where there are 24,292 establishments. Having a fabulous website is awesome but having a fabulous website that improves your business is even better.
When you turn to an expert to redesign your restaurant site, not only do your viewers come out better for it, so should you.
Website Redesign Near Me
Are you looking for a website redesign near you? If you are in the Los Angeles area, be sure to check out the talented team at Mad Mind Studios for expert web redesign and website rebranding.