Friday, December 4, 2009

Ideas To Improve Restaurant Traffic

By Jose L Riesco

Restaurant traffic is something restaurant owners are always thinking about. Such factors as the economy, competition, location and time of year can all impact business. While business is good during popular eating times, creative marketing efforts like promotions and specials are needed to increase business during off peak times.

Improving restaurant traffic involves a marketing analysis to determine what would bring diners to your restaurant. For example, if you want to increase business during weekday lunch hours, determine the needs of business customers in your area. Evaluate current lunch options in your surrounding area, check out what your competition offers and think of ways you can bring your restaurants uniqueness to fill a void that others arent providing.

When developing a marketing plan for your restaurant, a section of it should address restaurant traffic. The plan of action should be based on a comprehensive review of the location, competition and customer demographics. This will be your guide to implementing measures to increase business during off peak times. Be sure to review your marketing plan often and be flexible to change it based on results.

Promotions are an effective way to increase restaurant traffic. Consider distributing flyers within a 15-mile radius of your restaurant promoting incentives, like a certain amount off the bill or a reduced price offer. Other effective measures during slow times are early bird specials. But be sure to advertise your promotions through your website, emails, flyers and advertising venues geared towards your targeted market.

Research shows that a growing number of people use the Internet when looking for a restaurant. With that in mind, make certain your business has a solid online presence. Along with a website and email, expand your visibility by using social media networks and Twitter. Twitter can enhance restaurant traffic within minutes because you can send a real time message about promotions and specials currently taking place.

When it comes to increasing restaurant traffic, consider advertising strategies that can be trackable. Direct mail and coupons are smart advertising method because you can target them to your market and customer demographic and track how many people who dine at your restaurant are using them.

There are a number of free ways to boost restaurant traffic. Use your website to capture customers emails so you can send them information about drink or food specials, promotions, events and special offerings. You could also start a customer loyalty program or a referral program with another business that complements yours and attracts a similar clientele.

Generating restaurant traffic can be done by enhancing customer conveniences, such as offering take out, an express service with pickup at the door and delivery. These services dont directly put customers in the seats, but they indirectly get the word out about your restaurant. In time, word of mouth will bring more patrons in to dine in the restaurant. In many instances, people who take out and are pleased with the quality of food and service eventually dine in the restaurant.

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