How do consumers select a restaurant? According to a poll of 2,517 consumers across the United States, 89% of them research restaurants online. The poll, conducted by AIS Media, Inc. of Atlanta, GA, also reports that 39% of the survey respondents liked to receive email coupons, especially for food or drink specials. This is old news to the big restaurant chains. They have already learned that their customers spend vast amounts of time on the Internet. These companies are already putting themselves online where their customers can find them. Big whoopee for the big companies, but what about smaller restaurants? Is there room for the little

guy in the Internet marketplace? You bet there is! you can do just as well or better on the Internet than the big companies. How The cost of a professional website, online ordering service and email marketing tools are now available and cost effective for even the smallest mom and pop operation. I dont care how small you are. With the proper Internet tools you can boost your sales and attract new customers online. One of my best clients reported a total revenue increase of 11% from online ordering and email announcements at their shop. They get new customers who find them online and visit them for in store sales. They benefit from cost savings and greater efficiency from the online order process and more repeat sales from their email promotions and announcements. They tell me that on Friday nights when everything is crazy, their online orders are a huge relief. They can give the fax directly to the kitchen and get the food out right away with zero time spent on the phone, taking down the order. Another client has a shop in a suburb of Grand Rapids. Since they started, they have had 287 customers register to order online through their website. These shops pay about $800 per year for their website, online ordering and email marketing services. When you look at all the

revenue, benefits and savings that a good website and online ordering system provide, it is clear that the Internet gives you a tremendous return on your investment. With 89% of consumers looking for restaurants online, it is past time for you to take a good look at your own restaurants website. Your website is the primary point of contact between your restaurant, consumers looking for you on the Internet, and existing customers who regularly shop online. A good restaurant website will: * Have accurate directions to your restaurant. Make it easy for people to hop in their car and visit you. * Display all your contact information. Make it easy for people to phone or email you. * Display your latest menu and prices. Keeping this up to date is important. No one likes to be told their favorite food is no longer available when it is still on your websites menu. * Collect your customers email addresses. With these email addresses, you c an send them announcements, email coupons and reminders for free. * Let your customers place takeout and delivery orders online from your website. Customers love this. It is one of the greatest conveniences you can give them. * Be advertised in all your menus, flyers, coupons, telephone listing, signs, and by your employees.

It is critical to get the word out. Be sure to add Order online at www.yourpizzashop.com on all your printed supplies, and mention it on your telephone voice message as well. Look at what the big restaurant chains are doing on the Internet. They spent fortunes to create web sites and proprietary online ordering systems. They promote their websites and online ordering heavily in all their print and media advertising. If your restaurant does not have a website, online ordering and an email marketing program, then you are leaving money on the table and sending potential customers to your competition. As more and more people turn to the Internet for work, recreation and shopping, if you want your restaurant to remain competitive, you will need to be there when they come looking for you online.

Copyright c 2007-2010 Rudy Vener

Rudy Vener is the president and founder of Pizza Galaxy. He has helped many restaurants attract new customers, and increase sales with online ordering and email promotions. Get his free report: The Top 7 Ways for Restaurants to get Customers Online. Go to now to get your free copy. http://www.pizzagalaxy.com/free-report.html Read More Articles From Rudy Vener: http://thephantomwriters.com/recent/author/rudy-vener.html