June 25, 2010 - by Abbie Hanks
Do as I say, not as I do
How do you search for a restaurant, decide where to go and make a reservation?
Maybe you know the manager or chef of your favourite restaurant, or know someone who has good connections with the reservationist… It pays to remember, and continually remind yourself, that nine times out of ten, this is not how your customers will search for and book your restaurant.
A study was conducted back in 2007 by American Express Hospitality Monitor, reporting that 62% of diners search online before making a booking. That was three years ago!
Since then there’s been an explosion of mobile technology, Apple’s continuous stream of addictive hand-held devices that have changed the shape of how we surf the internet and make everyday purchasing decisions.
Your customers are online and that’s where you need to be, to catch and reel them in.
Fast facts:
- Facebook now has over 500 million users
- Twitter has over 190 million users
- 25% of all UK phones are smart phones with internet access
- Over 70% of the UK has internet access
Be where your customers are:
Cast your net
Take advantage of 3rd party listings sites such as lastminute.com, BookaTable.com and yell.com, increase the number of online touch points where your customers may come into contact with your restaurant.
Reel them in
Provide good quality content to represent your restaurant in the best possible light. Enticing pictures, delicious sample menus, perhaps a blog to enhance your chance of being found in search engines.
Make it easy!
Make sure your restaurant can be booked online, in real time. That’s where Livebookings can help of course. Catch them in the moment and feast on the revenue!
To read more about promoting your restaurant online, visit livebookings.co.uk
Follow Livebookings on Twitter @Livebookings
