Owning a bar or a restaurant can seem like a lot of work. However, it is an incredibly rewarding business to get into. If you have a love of food and drink then going into this industry could really play to your skills. However, it is important to have some kind of strategy in place so that you can attract customers into your establishment. If you don’t know where to start, then follow our tips to ensure you advertise yourself in the right way, to the right customers.
Know your audience
This may seem obvious, but work out what kind of atmosphere you want to create within your establishment. From decor to menu, website to social media, it is important to have a theme running through every element of your business so that you are able to market to your targeted clientele.
For example, if you want to start up a sports bar then having a relaxed, comfy interior with cheap drinks and bites on offer will be appealing to those who want to have a fun night out without racking up huge expenses. However, if you would rather reach out to those who are looking for fine dining then it is important to cultivate a high-class image of your establishment.
It could also be useful to consider the area that you are in, and whether this should affect how you market yourself. For example, if you’re establishing yourself in a small community then it could be good to use local produce in your ingredients. Or if you’re in a city with a large student population then offering student discounts can pull in swathes of youngsters.
Working out your target audience is also important when building your online image. By building a website which mirrors the experience that you offer, you are more likely to attract the right customers.
Have a strong website design
As mentioned above, it is important to have a theme running throughout your business. Perhaps you decide to emulate your website’s colour palette with that of your restaurant’s interior design.
It is also important that you make your brand name clear on the website: this will make your image more identifiable, and if it is eye-catching then it is more likely to stick in other people’s heads.
It is also vital to have a website that is easy to navigate, both on a computer and on someone’s mobile phone. Considering 57% of internet users say they wouldn’t recommend a business if their website isn’t optimised for mobile, it is important to have a website that is easily accessible in both formats. Go Sitebuilder – an online website builder based in the UK – is an extremely simple way to create your dream site, and is optimised for both desktop and mobile devices.
It’s also great to write a bit about your background and what inspired you to set up this business. This adds a personal touch and could be the reason that a potential customer chooses your restaurant or bar over someone else’s. If you’re unsure what other pages of content to include, check out our top tips on our blog.
Don’t neglect social media
Social media is a fantastic way to advertise yourself to potential customers. Posting aesthetic pictures of the food and drink that you have to offer onto your Instagram, Twitter or Facebook page helps get your image out there.
Virtual word-of-mouth isn’t to be underestimated: the more people tagged in the comment section, the more people know about your establishment. Your visibility can also be increased if people post snaps of products that they’ve enjoyed within your bar/restaurant – you can even offer a discount for people who do this! By encouraging people to hashtag your business name in their description and tag you in the image, you are essentially coining in on some completely free advertising.
The fact that social media is so accessible means it is also a great way to advertise discounts. Offering deals such as 2-4-1 cocktails or discounted set menus means people are more likely to visit your restaurant if they’ve never heard of it before.
Write blogs
This seems slightly unusual, but posting blogs onto your website is a great way to build trust between yourself and potential customers, as well as boosting your visibility on Google.
Perhaps you want to post a certain cocktail recipe that you offer, or maybe you would like to write about the inspiration behind your best selling dish. Writing about your food and drink means foodies are more likely to be attracted to your establishment, as it places you in the role of a leader in the industry. Using highly searched for keywords in your blog can also help you gain more visibility on Google, as search engines pick up on these keywords and then rank your website higher up on the search list.
Building your website
Building a website which can perform all of these functions may appear daunting. However, Go Sitebuilder is one of the best website builders to turn to for help. Our expertise in website building means creating your perfect website is only a few clicka away. Try it today – with our 14-day free trial, you have nothing to lose!