Simple Steps to Make Your Website A Better Marketing Tool

Here are some tips from Rohit Bhargava, who designed the website www.dc-restaurants.com more then 10 years ago and which still happens to be ranked number one on Google for “dc restaurants” despite the fact that it hasn’t ever been updated.

1. Give them the details first. Most people are visiting your site to see the location, get your phone number, or see your opening hours. Are these on your homepage? Can you get to them from every page? Put those front and center, and customers will be more likely to call or visit.

2. Get listed in local online restaurant directories. There are lots of them in every metropolitan area, and usually it is pretty easy to get listed. They need restaurants in their database. It just takes an afternoon searching Google as if you were a customer, finding the sites that you're not listed on, and submitting your site.

3. Show what your best customers say about you. Chances are, you have your regulars. What do they love about your restaurant? Work to find people who say you're good, and then publicize their opinions on your site. Oh, and don't forget to get your mileage out of any positive reviews from critics online too.

4. Pay for professional photography. Your cousin might have a great new digital SLR, but you can tell the difference between professional and amateur images. A good photographer can make something average look mouth watering, and something good look divine. It's the best investment you'll ever make.

5. Help your customers pass it on. Put the URL on your menus. Include a Send this link to a friend. Let customers send an e-vite to others in their party with details on a reservation. Try anything to get people to tell more people online. A single voice can amplify many times further in the online environment.

6. Make it printable. Everyone wants to print menus, directions, phone numbers, etc. You can't print from a flash presentation. Sometimes PDFs are a turnoff because they are too much work. Just make it easy for customers to print pages, and you'll reduce the chances that they get to your site and leave.

7. Understand your stats. Chances are, you know what's working and what isn't in your business. How else can you improve? Your stats can tell you where people are finding your site, what they are searching for when they get there, and what they are never seeing. Analyze the information to find out what people want, and change your site to give it to them.

To read his original blog post, go to http://rohitbhargava.typepad.com/weblog/2006/02/making_a_succes.html