| What exactly does Internet marketing mean and | | | | associated with you business in an on-line store. This |
| how does it apply to Restaurants? | | | | is especially popular if your restaurant includes a bar |
| As It applies to restaurants, Internet marketing | | | | that people frequent. This type of online sales can |
| involves public relations, reservations and sales. | | | | bolster any gift shop sales. The traveler who forgot |
| Restaurants can use the Internet similar to a ad in a | | | | to buy memorabilia when he visited can reach back |
| newspaper. A more aggressive use of the Internet | | | | through your on line store. |
| by a restaurant might include automated reservations | | | | 'Organic' Search Engine Optimization |
| and sales of products associated with your | | | | This method is attempting to drive traffic to your |
| restaurant. | | | | website by being a highly ranked result for a given |
| Public relations | | | | keyword. In the crowded world of restaurants, this |
| Ultimately, when it comes to restaurants, the | | | | can be very difficult to obtain without paying (see |
| location, food and ambiance that you provide will be | | | | below: Pay per Click Advertising). Generally, the |
| the largest factor in your success. The Internet can | | | | methods used to improve a sites ranking among the |
| used as a vehicle to enhance your success. | | | | search results include: Keywords in the title tag, |
| Specifically, public relations might include provide a | | | | keywords in links pointing to the page, keywords |
| section of your website dedicated to pointing out the | | | | appearing in visible text, and link popularity. |
| attractions in your area and nearby hotels. It is | | | | Restaurant Area Guides |
| important to get your name out there by providing | | | | The Internet is littered with travel guides and |
| as many links to other sites as possible and having | | | | information about most areas. Find the most popular |
| them link to your site, so users will be both driven to | | | | portals in your area and get your restaurants name in |
| your site and may use your site as a reference when | | | | that guide. This is similar to the restaurant guide that |
| planning a trip or outing to your area. | | | | appears in many newspapers and allows potential |
| With links you might want to think about who your | | | | customers who use the Internet a chance to view |
| visitor might be and what kinds of things they might | | | | your menu and website prior to their visit. |
| be looking for industry associations, and industry | | | | Pay per Click Advertising |
| specific search engines and directories. For example, a | | | | This business model involves paying a search engine |
| restaurant might link the local chambers of | | | | or website a certain amount of money each time a |
| commerce, tourism bureaus, museums, galleries, local | | | | user of their site clicks on your ad. The restaurants |
| attractions, hotels, motels and inns. | | | | that pay the largest per click price for certain |
| Notify the businesses and attractions about your link | | | | keywords will be featured in a search engine's search |
| to them and ask them if they would mind providing a | | | | result. These are the ads you see in blue on the right |
| reciprocal link on their website. This on line community | | | | side of the page when doing a Google search. |
| involvement can be extremely beneficial to all | | | | Newsletters and Press Releases |
| businesses in your area. Even restaurants that offer | | | | Newsletters and press releases can often be used to |
| different types of foods are candidates because | | | | create interest or a buzz around your restaurants. |
| locals and tourists cannot eat at the same location | | | | Content that features new additions to your menu or |
| every night. | | | | improvement to your facility may create a buzz that |
| Any restaurant website should have attractive | | | | will drive patrons to your establishment. |
| pictures of the interior showing off the most positive | | | | Reservations |
| features of your ambiance. It should also include a | | | | The Internet offers a place for restaurants to allow |
| copy of your menu. This can be updated to include | | | | customers and affiliate businesses to make |
| weekly and daily specials. It is important to note that | | | | reservations. Customers may like the convenience, |
| a professional appearance on the internet can sell a | | | | and you may be able to reach agreements with local |
| client on your restaurant. An amateurish or badly | | | | hotels and inns so that they can make reservations |
| done website can have the same effect. In other | | | | for hungry travelers. |
| words, consider hiring professionals to take the | | | | For many restaurant owners, succeeding on the |
| pictures and create your website. Don't rely on the | | | | Internet means hiring an Internet marketing firm to |
| assistant cook who took an HTML class back in 1999. | | | | handle these things for the restaurant. The right |
| Sales to individuals | | | | Internet marketing can increase reservations |
| If your restaurant is lucky enough to have built up a | | | | dramatically as people searching for a restaurant find |
| brand, you can offer site visitors the opportunity to | | | | yours. Internet marketing means people will stop |
| purchase tee-shirts, glasses, and other items | | | | searching for you site and start finding it. |