Digital Digest
“The new website has certainly generated more interest and customers can browse menus and events for inspiration, plus we have recorded a
54% increase
in bookings since January."
General Manager Ciaran O'Flynn.
"They can also make reservations with ease, and we can run and view reports either daily, weekly, monthly, or for longer periods. We do still receive some bookings over the phone or in person, but the website is our main source for reservations and we have incorporated this into all of our marketing material to direct potential customers to our enhanced system. There is much more confidence in booking online, especially with the increased use of smartphones to view web content. The website is now a truly integral part of our business, it has speeded up the reservation system, enhanced efficiency and profitability across the establishment, and allows us to update the events calendar and photo galleries ourselves, while providing a sleek, professional online image for Copan. It’s certainly an investment worth making as it has boosted our profits and enhanced our offering.” Dublin-based Matthew Duffy launched nettl last year. “Since launching nettl we’ve lost count of the number of times new clients have told us they have been meaning to sort out their website," he says. "Now, it is more important than ever for restaurants and bars to recognise the benefits of responsive websites to suit the changing needs of today’s consumers, particularly as Google has been ranking mobile-friendly websites higher within searches since April 21st. "Websites are one of the most crucial assets for any business, especially within the hospitality industry, and it’s important for customers to be able to view all the information on any device. As consumers become more savvy, convenience and ease of use becomes critical. If you can’t make a restaurant reservation within a couple of swipes on your phone you’ll move on, it’s as simple as that.”
How to Succeed in a Multi-Channel World
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Just get started. You don’t need to decide everything at the beginning. It is better to get going and evolve your site as you grow. Focus on your customers. Think about what they want to do online and centre your message and navigation around that. Don’t hide things – make it easy for them. Content is queen. It is much more important to concentrate on getting fresh relevant content and keeping it updated than to be obsessive about the layout. Choose your partners wisely. You’ll always be able to find someone to do a cheap job for you but will they be around when your site goes down? Keep dreaming. It’s great to have a wish list of features that you want to add. But it is better to get your site live and get it selling rather than waiting until everything is perfect.
In a bid to help small businesses and entrepreneurs get started, nettl.com is offering 600 grants and a free consultation to restaurants, bars and cafés hoping to make the move online or revamp an existing website that is in need of some attention.
ABOUT Nettle.com
nettl.com is a new cross-media design studio, the evolution of sister brand, Printing. com, and part of Grafenia plc. It offers a
complete marketing strategy
across branding, web design and online media and website services in Dublin and throughout Ireland.
Visit nettl.com for more information. To view Copan’s new responsive website, visit www.copan.ie
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