In recent years, several new developments in Worcester, Massachusetts, have brought about a shift in the city’s economy, from manufacturing to the tech sector. And with the influx of the young generation of talent, savvy entrepreneurs have taken the opportunity to open up restaurant businesses across the city, catering to the new workforce and growing numbers of visitors.
If you’re looking to ride this trend with a restaurant startup in Worcester, aside from covering the fundamentals you’ll be able to set yourself apart with exceptional digital marketing. Excellent web design and an online presence are essential factors for success with the growing millennial demographic. Here’s how you can capitalize on this aspect of the business:
Generate brand awareness
The importance of a strong brand in the restaurant business is well-known. It communicates who you are and what sort of experience customers can expect when they go to your restaurant. Branding efforts go hand-in-hand with marketing; your digital efforts are simply the most effective means of reaching out to the most extensive consumer base.
The power of online marketing in this respect is to give customers an experience of your brand even before they set foot anywhere near the premises. With the effective use of images and colors on your website and social media accounts, you’ll be able to convey ambiance and value. You can tell the story of your restaurant: what drove you to succeed in the business or the origins of the family recipe. And you can showcase responsible business practices like sustainable food sourcing and waste disposal.
Improves conversion rates
Veteran e-commerce entrepreneurs are familiar with online metrics and the importance of conversion rates. If you’re not familiar with the concept, don’t worry – it’s merely about turning website traffic into sales. Even if most of your revenue comes from walk-in diners, don’t miss out on the opportunity to convert a percentage of online visitors into customers.
Depending on the nature of your restaurant, you can use your website to drive conversions by offering online purchases. It could be a simple reservation system, a food delivery service within a particular area, or sales of merchandise such as your restaurant’s secret sauce. With a mobile-friendly interface and secure checkout, plus some enticing photos of the items on your menu, you’ll be surprised at how effectively this additional service can expand your range of business.
Higher search engine rank
A solid digital marketing strategy will help to establish you as one of the top search results in your niche. Whether it’s a first-time visitor to Worcester looking for excellent dining options, or a local in search of the right cuisine, you can boost your ranking up to the first page of search results, That’s often the limit of how far the average person will browse.
By effectively releasing relevant content on your website and social media posts and tying them to the right keywords, you’ll be able to direct more customers from their search engines to your restaurant’s website, address, and telephone number. With some smart investment in ad words and optimizing your site and posts, you can start passively generating far more leads than you’d otherwise get from online sources.
These are just three areas where you can use the pull of digital marketing to grow your restaurant business. While you take care of the storefront and kitchen operations, let the online leads grow and drive your revenue.