Apparently Australians are dining out more than ever before, with many of us eating out an average of 2 to 3 times every week. This is good news for anyone who has invested their hard earned money into a food business venture.
The numbers, when added up are extraordinary. The recent postal vote for Same Sex Marriage went out to 18 million registered voters, so that means there are between 36 million to 54 million potential diners every week! Plus kids!
Eating out is definitely big business.
But how do you make sure that you are getting your share?
Here are my top 3 things to do to make sure you are found.
1. Google search
Make sure you are found on a google search
Claim your spot on Google Places
The above search was for restaurants narrabeen, so try doing the same for your restaurant or cafe. If you don't appear then you have some work to do.
2. Use social media to highlight your business strengths
Here are 3 of my favourite northern beaches restaurants and it is great to see they are all making good use of social media.
Oceans at Narrabeen are using Instagram to highlight their amazing food.
My pick Oceans Surf & Turf. Basted Grass Fed 300g Rib Eye on the bone w/ garlic mashed potato, wilted spinach seared scallops & garlic butter Add horseradish cream or red wine jus.
Limani's Seafood Restaurant also offer incredible views and during summer, spectacular sunsets.
My pick My wife and I love to share the Limani Seafood Platter, a selection of hot & cold seafood. Natural half western australian rock lobster, fresh prawns, trio of sydney rock oysters, smoked salmon, baby octopus, seared scallops, grilled barramundi, grilled salmon, bbq king prawns, moreton bay bug, salt & pepper squid, chips, greek salad, home made dipping sauces & followed by seasonal fruit plate.
Barbuto Narrabeen are also making good use of social media
My pick my personal favourite here are the Lamb Ribs but don't forget to order the garlic bread!
3. Online booking services or apps
The growth of mobile apps to book a restaurant is not by accident. As Gen Y and Gen X become mainstream diners they almost always defer to their phones to find out where they can dine. Apps such as Dimmi, Obee and Opentable are perfectly positioned to provide the answers.
If you are not currently using one of these services then perhaps it is time for a rethink.
Stevan Premutico, CEO & Founder Dimmi expects within 2 to 3 years online reservations will account for about 25% of all restaurant reservations in Australia. If that is true can oyu afford not to be involved?
What to do with a bad reviews
Given that people are more apt to complain about something they didn't like rather than about something good, bad reviews are an almost certainty. However how you deal with these reviews is what can set your business apart.
Try to use the negative ratings to your advantage and to make your business look better. Before you go for your guns, literally speaking anyway, try to smooth things over with your disgruntled customer.
By responding to the poster publicly, right there on your page, asking what you might do to change his opinion and improve his experience. Try to stay upbeat and positive with any comments.
You occasionally see news articles where owners of businesses have engaged on social media with unhappy guests, taking them to task in a war of words. Even if you feel better when you have have done this, you never actually win in this style of engagement.
Then if the poster reacts negatively rather than accept your offer to make things right, this is pretty much a public admission that the problem is with him, not you.
