what you need to know as a restaurant owner

Have you ever wondered what industry is the most searched one on a mobile device? Yes, you guessed it correct - Restaurant. According to the latest study from SinglePlatform and research firm Chadwick Martin Bailey, restaurants are the most searched industry by consumers through both mobile device and desktop browsers. The study found that 81% of consumers have searched for a restaurant on a mobile device and 92% through a web browser in the last six months, outperforming other highly searched industries, such as entertainment, retail outlets, hotels, and personal services.

Personally I perform search for a good restaurant t eat all the time. When I am driving back home from a long trip with my family and its getting late and we are tired, I pull up my iPhone and do a search for something we are in mood for. Get to my options, look at the interior decor, read reviews and the menu. If it looks good I reserve my place via open table reservations. All this I do on the go.

If these stats and evolving consumer behavior does not convince you, here are other reasons for having a mobile website:

Beat competition - 95% of restaurants do not have a mobile website. So odds are that your competitor down the street does not have a mobile website. By simply having one, you can beat your competition.

Highlight positive ratings and reviews - Consumers base their decision on where to dine on other like consumer's reviews. These reviews are candid and helpful. Mobile Websites can present the ratings (for instance Yelp ratings and reviews) in a humanly legible manner without having to pinch and scroll.

Improve organic rankings on mobile devices - Did you know that 75% of consumers choose a restaurant to dine at based on search results. With a mobile website, restaurant customers can find you easier on local Google searches. Restaurants with an optimized mobile site are more likely to receive local visits with a better Google search ranking.

Allow booking reservations online - OpenTable is the leader in online reservations for restaurants. Mobile websites can integrate with open table reservation and help fill up your tables.

Show your menu - The #1 thing people want to see when they search for a restaurant online is a menu. In fact 80% of consumers think it’s important to see a menu before they dine at a restaurant

So if you own a restaurant and don't have a mobile optimized website, you are loosing clients. Give your customers what they are asking for. Its time to embrace the mobile movement and rethink your marketing initiatives. We can help. Call us at 408.475.8050 to see how we can help you.

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