Emma Turnbull | BYK Digital Marketing

Clubhouse: An Up-and-Coming Social Media Platform

What is Clubhouse?

Clubhouse is a fast-growing audio-based social media platform that allows users to join “rooms” to listen to or participate in conversations on various topics. Clubhouse is a great platform for those who enjoy taking part in rich discussions, even if users have differing opinions. Clubhouse opens up opportunities to network and learn from industry experts as well as discuss industry-specific topics. Clubhouse is growing rapidly and is expected to continue to grow into new markets this year. We created an account and tested out Clubhouse’s features so you don’t have to. Here is our full review of this new social media platform.

A Review of the App: Positives

When opening the app, users are prompted to choose topics that they are interested in. This is a great way for users to find communities and other users that they have a lot in common with. The app refers to communities as houses, and there are houses for almost any topic. There are five tabs located at the bottom of the home screen. The first tab allows users to catch up on what is currently going on around Clubhouse, the second is a house search page, the third is a general explore page similar to most other social platforms, the fourth keeps users updated with their upcoming events, and the final tab is a general profile page. The structure of the app is very similar to other social media platforms and includes common features such as direct messages and an activity page. Clubhouse’s similarity to other apps is beneficial to users because it is easier for them to navigate when they first create an account. There are also options to connect your Twitter, Instagram, and Google accounts. This is great for users who already participate in conversations on these other platforms. Users can add events to their Google calendars if they prefer to keep their Clubhouse events in line with their other tasks. Furthermore, there are recorded onboarding conversations for new users. These sessions show new users how to navigate the app as well as provide tips to make the most out of Clubhouse.

A Review of the App: Negatives

Now let’s look into what can be improved within the app. First, there seems to be an issue with the search engine on the houses explore page. When typing in a topic in the search engine, there are no results. This page also lets you go through a list of house suggestions, but when attempting to look up a specific topic in the search engine, no results come up, no matter what the topic is. Furthermore, it felt like there was too much happening on the screen at times. There was a lot of writing and instructions, which felt overwhelming at times. Clubhouse should keep screen options to a minimum so it is easier for users to find what they are looking for.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Clubhouse is a great app for people who enjoy deep debates and conversations on topics they are interested in, and it definitely has the potential to grow within the next year. With a similar structure to other social media platforms, new users can easily fit in, but there are a few changes that need to be made.

2023-03-08

7 Features Your Restaurant’s Website Needs

In today’s fast-paced world, having a website for your restaurant is crucial to attract and retain customers. A website can provide customers with essential information such as your menu, hours of operation, and contact information, making it easier for them to plan their visit. However, not all restaurant websites are created equal, and there are certain features that are essential to a successful restaurant website. Here are seven features your restaurant’s website needs:

A Responsive Design

Having a responsive design means that your website can be accessed easily on any device, including smartphones and tablets. This is especially important for restaurants because many customers will be searching for your website while on the go. A responsive website design can also improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO), which can help your restaurant rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) and increase visibility.

A Clear Menu

Your restaurant’s menu is one of the most important parts of your website. It should be easy to navigate and should include detailed descriptions of each dish, along with prices and any dietary information. A clear menu can help customers make informed decisions about what they want to order, which can help increase customer satisfaction. For those with dietary restrictions or allergies, it is very valuable for dietary needs to be listed on the menu. It is also important to keep your menu up to date on your website to avoid any confusion or discrepancies.

Online Ordering and Reservation System

An online ordering and reservation system can make it easier for customers to order food or book a table at your restaurant. This feature can help you streamline your operations and reduce wait times for your customers while building a reputation of convenience with consumers. This is a much more convenient system for those who are ordering takeout, as they can come in and pick up their order as soon as it is completed.

High-Quality Images and Consistent Branding

High-quality images of your food and restaurant can help entice potential customers and give them a sense of what to expect when they visit, and making sure that these images align with your company’s brand can give your store a sense of cohesiveness. Make sure your images are well-lit and visually appealing. Images can also help convey your restaurant’s brand and identity through consistent imagery or color palettes, which can help customers connect with your business on a more personal level.

Reviews and Testimonials

Including customer reviews and testimonials on your website can help your business seem more genuine and credible with potential customers by offering them social proof of your value. Positive reviews and testimonials can help build a positive or unique reputation for your restaurant, which can help attract more customers. For instance, beyond the quality of your food, many reviews will comment on the quality of customer service, which is an important factor in where consumers decide to dine. Additionally, it can give customers a sense of what your restaurant is known for or what is most popular.

Social Media Integration

Social media is a powerful tool for restaurants to connect with their customers and promote their brand. Make sure your website includes links to your social media profiles, and consider integrating social media feeds or widgets into your website. Social media integration can help increase your restaurant’s online visibility and exposure, which can lead to increased customer engagement and loyalty. Social media also provides an important window into the business that allows customers to understand the unique identity of the restaurant.

Contact Information

Make it easy for customers to contact you by including your restaurant’s address, phone number, email address, and hours of operation on your website. Consider including a contact form or live chat feature for customer inquiries. Including contact information can help increase customer convenience and satisfaction, as they will be able to reach out to you easily if they have any questions or concerns.

In conclusion, a well-designed and user-friendly website is essential for any restaurant looking to build a strong online presence. By including these essential features, you can attract more customers, increase online orders, and build a strong brand image.

2023-02-28

Client Transformation: Saigon Cafe

Our full-service hospitality marketing has helped many clients through the years increase their ROI and improve their digital marketing efforts. Here’s a detailed look at one of our restaurant clients, Saigon Cafe, located in the Central West End Neighborhood in St. Louis, MO. Saigon Cafe has been a wonderful client of ours for a few years now, and we’ve helped them grow and transform their business quite a bit in just a short time.

Business Overview

Saigon Cafe is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been bringing authentic Vietnamese cuisine to St. Louis since 2001. Owner Michael Ly uses his years of culinary expertise to craft a menu of delicious, contemporary Vietnamese dishes. The restaurant brings together selfless service, modern design, and exuberant Saigon spirit. A few of their most popular menu items include Pho (Vietnamese soup with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat), Bun (vermicelli noodle bowls), and Spring Rolls (both traditional and crispy).

How it Began

We began working with Saigon Cafe in the summer of 2020. At the time, they were named Little Saigon Cafe, and like many restaurants, were struggling to emerge from the early days of the pandemic and adjust to the new business landscape. They were looking for a local digital marketing agency that could increase their online presence, and drive both online and in-person orders.

Branding and Design

Our early work for Saigon Cafe centered around solidifying their positioning and their branding. We started with a slight name change, dropping the “Little” to align better with their positioning as an elegant and authentic Vietnamese restaurant. Once Saigon Cafe as a name was solidified, we were able to get to work on all kinds of other projects. A few of the immediate changes we helped Saigon Cafe make:

Designed a new logo
Created updated brand guidelines
Designed and printed new menus
Graphic design projects including new signage to increase the curb appeal of their restaurant

Continuing Work

Once many of the initial branding and design projects were completed, we were able to turn our attention to Saigon Cafe’s digital marketing at large. In the years since our partnership began, we have continuously optimized their online presence through social media content creation, paid digital advertising, reputation management, and more. A few of the highlights:

When they lost access to their original Instagram account, we started a new account from scratch, and eclipsed the size of their old account within a year
Continuous design projects that strengthen brand awareness, including t-shirts, stickers, and various iterations of their menu
Joined TikTok and began establishing a presence for Saigon Cafe there

Results

Our paid and organic efforts for Saigon Cafe have certainly paid off! Not only do fans have a clearer idea of the brand, their positioning, and what to expect when dining there but sales have also taken off! In fact, sales have increased a whopping 27% in the last year!

It’s a pleasure to work with restaurants like Saigon Cafe, helping increase their ROI on digital advertising, spreading the word about their brand, and ultimately helping their business thrive!

2023-02-21

5 Considerations for Running Google Ads

Google Ads is a powerful advertising platform that allows businesses to reach a large audience through targeted advertisements. However, as with any advertising platform, it is important to consider several factors to make the most of your advertising funds and achieve your desired results. Here are five considerations for your Google Ads campaign.

Keyword research

The success of your Google Ads campaign depends on the keywords you choose to target. Choosing the right keywords is essential to ensure that your ads are seen by the right people, at the right time. Use tools such as Google Keyword Planner to research and find the most relevant keywords for your business. Make sure to target keywords that are specific to your product or service, and avoid overly broad terms that may not drive the results you want.

You should also make use of long-tail keywords, which are phrases that are more specific and less competitive, and avoid negative keywords, which are terms that you don’t want your ads to show up for.

Ad copy

Once you have determined your target audience and keywords, it’s time to create your ad copy. Ad copy is the text that appears in your ad, and it plays a crucial role in determining whether or not your ad will be effective. Make sure to write clear and concise copy that accurately reflects your product or service, and use persuasive language to drive results.

While doing this, consider what behavioral habits influence your target audience and what motivates a purchase from your target demographic. Also, consider including a call-to-action (CTA) in your ad copy, such as “Sign up now” or “Learn more”, to encourage people to take action.

Ad placement

In addition to your ad copy, it is important to consider where your ad will appear. Google Ads offers various placement options, including search results, display networks, and mobile devices. Choose the placement options that are most likely to reach your target audience and consider factors such as device and location. For example, if you are targeting a younger demographic, it may be more effective to place your ads on mobile devices.

Budget/Bid Strategy

Additionally, it is important to consider your budget when creating a Google Ads campaign. You can set a daily or monthly budget for your campaign, and Google Ads will automatically adjust your bids to ensure that you stay within your budget. Make sure to set a realistic budget that takes into account the cost per click (CPC) of your keywords and the expected return on investment (ROI) for your campaign. It is also important to regularly monitor your campaign performance and adjust your budget as needed to ensure that you are getting the best results possible.

Tracking and Optimization

Tracking and optimization are important to the success of any Google Ads campaign. You need to track and analyze your campaign data to determine what’s working and what’s not, and then make data-driven decisions to optimize your campaign for better results. You can do this in several ways. First, you can integrate your Google Ads campaigns with Google Analytics to see your website’s traffic and to see how ads are performing. From there, you can better understand your target audience and what is working to attract them. Other metrics you can consider, such as conversion rates, click-through rates (CTR), and cost per click (CPC) can also help you better monitor your ad performance.

In conclusion, these five considerations are essential to creating an effective Google Ads campaign. By understanding your target audience, conducting keyword research, writing compelling ad copy, choosing the right ad placement, and setting a realistic budget, you can reach your desired results and achieve success with your Google Ads campaign. Remember, success with Google Ads takes time, patience, and ongoing optimization, but with the right strategy, you can drive results and grow your business.

2023-02-15

Successful TikTok Strategies for Your Restaurant

TikTok has been a great tool for small business owners to showcase their products on social media. Restaurants especially have seen great success in bringing new customers to their restaurants through the use of TikTok. From showcasing menu items to giving your audience a feel of what your restaurant’s atmosphere is like, TikTok is an amazing tool that all restaurants should be utilizing. Listed below are a few successful TikTok strategies we think you should consider:

1. Introduce new menu items or specials

TikTok is a great way to build excitement and hype around new menu items. Videos are amazing for showcasing mouthwatering new dishes that your customers are going to want to try. TikTok can also build a sense of urgency around limited-time menu items. If customers know a dish won’t be around for long, they’ll want to try it even more!

2. Teach your audience a recipe

Customers love behind the scenes looks into products they love! By showing your audience how your most popular dishes are made, customers will have a newfound appreciation for their favorites! Give users a sneak peek of your work environment and the care that goes into each dish. You don’t need to give away any secrets, but instead dispel the mystery behind popular dishes.

3. Team up with local micro-influencers to promote your restaurant

Influencer marketing is a great way to reach new audiences. Identify local influencers whose audiences are similar to yours. Try to find local chefs, foodies, food bloggers, and restaurant reviewers to taste test your food. Check your social media for any messages from potential collaborators or look for people who have already posted a positive review. If they already like you, they are more likely to spread their enthusiasm to their audience.

4. Showcase the full dining experience

Show your customers not only what your food looks like but what your dining experience is like. Show diners what it’s like to eat at your restaurant with a TikTok video that showcases a full course meal. Include everything from drinks to appetizers and desserts. Showcasing your favorite pairings is also a great way to provide customers with information beyond your menu.

5. Take advantage of trending sounds, effects, and ideas

Using trending sounds, effects, and ideas are key to increasing your account’s views and engagement. Hopping on the right trends is a great way to reach audiences beyond your followers and typical users who interact with your account. Hashtags are also a great way to place your videos on the For You page: You just need to ensure you are using the correct ones for your content.

With the strategies above, your restaurant will be able to start building up a TikTok following in no time at all!

2023-02-07

7 Reasons Your Restaurant Needs a Digital Marketing Agency

Strong digital marketing is an essential part of helping your restaurant grow and succeed. And the best way to ensure your digital marketing is successful is by working with an experienced marketing agency. Restaurant marketing can be a challenge, it can be time-consuming, and it can require the use of various tools and software’s. All of these are issues that a digital marketing agency can help solve. There are a number of benefits of marketing agencies for restaurants, but we’re just focusing on the top 7 today.

1. Digital is king

Let’s start with a simple fact: Your restaurant NEEDS to be focusing on digital marketing. Digital is where companies are putting the vast majority of their ad dollars. Sure there are a few exceptions, but in most cases you need a strong digital marketing strategy to have any chance of succeeding as a small business.

And beyond that, the digital marketing landscape is continuously getting more complicated. When social media first gained popularity, posting an occasional photo of good-looking food might have been enough to gain you a substantial following and put your restaurant on the map. But now, the digital space is more competitive than it ever was before. You need an expert to help you keep up with your competitors online.

2. Wider reach

Part of what matters in digital marketing is having a presence on as many different sites and platforms as possible. Agencies have the time and the expertise not to just run a couple channels well for you, but to expand your presence overall. One of the benefits of a marketing agency is having a whole team working for you, so you can have many projects, campaigns, and digital efforts going on at once.

3. Save you money

When you hire a digital marketing agency, it will feel like you’re spending money, but you’re really saving money. In most cases, the monthly cost of a digital agency is less than you would have to pay a full-time employee to do the same work.

Plus, the best digital marketing agencies will optimize your channels to really make the most of every dollar you’re spending on marketing and advertising. Even if the cost is the same as you could pay someone in-house, the results are likely to be much better, resulting in more sales and income for your business.

4. Advanced technologies

It is marketing agencies’ job to stay on the forefront of the latest and greatest in digital marketing. A restaurant marketing agency will make use of all kinds of new marketing technologies you might not have even known about. They will have access to tools and softwares that might be too expensive for your business to purchase for yourselves. The access and expertise a digital marketing agency provides will be well worth the investment.

5. Online ordering/purchasing

More people are shopping online than ever, and with each passing day people are preferring online transactions more and more. A key part of any restaurant marketing strategy should be having a great online ordering system, and letting people know about it. A digital agency can make sure your online shop or online ordering system is up to date, user-friendly, and functioning at the highest possible level.

6. Integrated strategy

A digital marketing agency can keep your messaging in sync and integrated. If you have different in-house employees handle different aspects of your digital strategy, it might work for a while but can lead to disparate messaging. Your different channels might not align perfectly with one another, causing confusion for your customers.

With a digital marketing agency, all your digital marketing will be happening in one place. An agency can make sure all your messaging is aligned and channels aren’t cannibalizing each other.

7. SEO expertise

We saved one of the most important and essential benefits for last. One of the best ways to increase revenue is by focusing on your brand’s SEO strategy. Search engine optimization is extremely important for restaurant marketing, and it can be one of the trickiest aspects of digital marketing to handle on your own. Good digital marketing agencies will have SEO expertise. They can help your restaurant reach the top of local searches and find new customers.

These are just 7 of the many benefits of marketing agencies for restaurants. At BYK Digital, we focus on marketing for small business owners, and especially on restaurant marketing. If your small business could use our digital marketing expertise, don’t hesitate to reach out today for a free consultation!

2023-02-01

The Next TikTok? New Social Media Platforms 2023

As social media continues to evolve, new platforms are constantly emerging to capture the attention of users. While not all of them might make it, others have the potential to become the next big platform this year. In this article, we will take a look at five new social media platforms that are worth keeping an eye on in 2023.

1. Vero

This platform markets itself as a more authentic and less algorithm-driven alternative to existing social media sites. It allows users to share a wide variety of content, including photos, links, and music, and also features a built-in e-commerce platform while still valuing user privacy.

To accomplish this, the platform doesn’t feature ads or collect personal data. Unlike other platforms that use algorithms to curate content, Vero allows users to see posts in chronological order and has recommendations based on friends in your circle. The end goal is to meaningfully connect people in a way that is more personal than other social media platforms, and based on its success, it seems to be working. Vero has gained a lot of popularity in recent months and is expected to continue to grow in the coming year.

2. Riff

This is a social media platform that focuses on user-generated videos and allows users to collaborate and remix videos with friends. The platform is focused on creativity and self-expression, and it’s perfect for those who enjoy making videos. Users are able to join rooms with other users where they can discuss topics that they enjoy. Riff is still in the early stages of development, but it has already attracted a lot of attention from investors and users alike.

One of the key benefits of Riff is its ability to encourage user-generated content. Marketers can use the app to launch a campaign that encourages their audience to create videos using a specific hashtag or theme. This not only generates buzz around the campaign, but it also provides the marketer with a wealth of user-generated content that they can repurpose for future campaigns.

3. Clubhouse

Clubhouse is an audio-based social media platform that has taken the tech world by storm. The platform allows users to join “rooms” and listen to or participate in conversations on various topics. Clubhouse is perfect for those who enjoy listening to and participating in discussions–it’s a great platform for networking, discussing industry-specific topics, and learning from experts. The platform has been growing rapidly, and it’s expected to continue to grow in popularity in 2023.

Keep in mind, membership is currently invite-only, but it is a platform expected to expand in the new year to newer markets. As it evolves, there are a variety of ways that you may be able to leverage the platform to your benefit, including providing consumer education or adding to industry conversations.

4. Caffeine

Caffeine is a social media platform that allows users to create, share, and discover live video content, whether it be for entertainment, gaming, or education. One of the key features of Caffeine is its ease of use. The platform is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, allowing anyone to quickly set up a live stream and start sharing their content with the world. Caffeine takes a community-driven approach, encouraging users to interact and engage with each other.

It has quickly gained popularity among marketers as a way to connect with their audience in real time and build brand awareness. It is a good way to understand your target market and create content, using a wide range of tools and features that help users create high-quality live video content. This includes things like built-in video editing tools, custom overlays, and a variety of other features that help users create professional-looking live streams.

5. Tribe

Tribe is slightly different from the other platforms on this list, in that it is geared specifically towards businesses. This platform is focused on building communities around specific interests in business, allowing users to connect with others who share their niches. It is geared towards company use, and is entirely customizable for companies to use to reach their brand communities. You can use their non-code UI to personalize the interface of your page, adding what you need for your specific business. Users can create and join groups, share content, and participate in discussions and events.

Among its draws is that Tribe allows users to connect with their consumer base in a customizable way. It promotes customer education, customer support, and the maintenance of customer relationships. Keep in mind, this is not a free platform for companies to join, but your business may benefit from being able to meaningfully reach its consumer base and receive solid feedback.

These are just a few examples of the many new social media platforms that are emerging in 2023. As technology continues to evolve and more people are looking for alternative options, it will be interesting to see which platforms will become the next big thing in social media.

2023-01-25

Why Aren’t My Ads Working?

Are you running digital ads, spending money, and not seeing the results you want? You’re not alone. It is all too common for companies to spend money inefficiently on digital advertising.

Digital ads on sites like Yelp, Google, and Facebook can be very useful and bring in a great return on your investment. But not if you’re making any of these common mistakes. If your digital ads aren’t working for you, read on to see where you might be going wrong.

1. Too creative

This may sound like a weird one. Marketing is all about being creative and standing out from your competitors, right? Yes, to a certain extent. However, especially with digital advertising when people may be scrolling quickly and not devoting much time or attention, you also want to make sure your ads are clear and easy to understand. If you try to get “too creative” so to speak, viewers may not understand what you’re advertising right away, and are unlikely to devote the time to figure it out. Be creative, catch your viewers’ attention, but don’t take it too far to the point where you’re confusing people instead of roping them in.

2. Too much text

Another piece of advice for your ad creative itself. You want your ads to be image-first, not text-first. A small amount of text can be a great addition to your photos or videos, helping to explain or clarify your offerings for viewers. However, study after study has found that the imagery of an ad or post is what catches peoples’ attention first. You want to focus in the visual appeal of your ads first and foremost. If you’re running ads that are too text-heavy, they’re likely getting skipped over by potential customers. Cut back on the text, let the photos and videos do the talking, and you should see interest in your ads rise right away.

3. Focused on product attributes instead of problem solving

People can read all about the specifications of your product and service for themselves, and these facts are certainly relevant. But what really grabs consumers’ attention and influences their purchase decisions is not the facts about a product, but how it can improve their life.

Too many advertisers focus on the attributes of their product or service: The type of materials, the quality of the ingredients, the cool tricks it can do. What people really want to know is not what a product is, but why they should want to buy it. Don’t talk about how your pillowcase is 100% satin, talk about how soft it will feel when a customer lays their head on it at night. Don’t talk about the fresh ingredients in your soup, talk about the health benefits of eating it.

Reframe your ads to focus on the benefits your product or service can provide. Show people why they can’t live without it and your digital ad conversions should be increasing in no time.

4. Targeting is too narrow

The three points above all focused on the creation of your ads themselves. Now let’s turn to what you do with them once they’re created.

Deciding who sees your ads is an important piece of the digital marketing puzzle. Targeting tools that help you reach the audience you want can be great. You don’t want to use up ad spend on people that are unlikely to ever be interested in your offerings. If you’re selling hearing aids, you probably want to concentrate most of your budget and efforts on the 65+ population, not those aged 18-25.

But be careful not to narrow down your audience too much. You may have a very specific target consumer in mind, but that doesn’t mean some others won’t be interested as well. If you try to be too specific with your targeting, your audience could narrow to the point where it is too small and you’re not reaching enough people. Then, no matter how good your ads are, they’re not going to bring in much revenue. So make sure your focus is not too broad, but not too narrow either.

5. Placements are all wrong

So you’ve put together an ad that is creative without being confusing, that focused on images instead of text, that tells people the “why”, and you’re advertising to an appropriate-sized audience. One more area many digital marketers go wrong is in deciding where to advertise. Take the hearing aid example again. If you’re trying to reach primarily an audience over the age of 65, you probably don’t want to spend your budget advertising on TikTok or Instagram Reels, which have a much younger user base.

The most popular digital placements may not be the ones that work best for your brand. Do your research before deciding which digital ad platforms will work best for your small business. If you’re trying to reach your audience where they’re not, your ad dollars are going to go to waste.

The 5 tips above should give you a great start to improve your digital ads in 2023. If you don’t have the time, resources, or ability to execute these changes yourself, let us help! We are a digital marketing Swiss army knife, and can help with all your small business’ digital needs. We stay up-to-date on industry best practices to help our clients put their best foot forward when it comes to paid advertising and so much more! Reach out today for a free consultation.

2023-01-11

Top Reasons to Get a New Website for 2023

As we enter 2023, it’s a good time for businesses to assess whether their current website is meeting their needs and helping them achieve their goals. If it isn’t, or if you don’t even have a website, it’s a great time to invest in a new one. If you’ve been thinking about doing so, here are the top reasons to consider a new website in the coming year.

1. Improved User Experience

Regardless of the type of business that you run, your website is often considered the central representation of what you offer. The goal is for customers to have the easiest access to your products– the easier the process is, the better. Therefore, a website that is outdated or difficult to navigate can be discouraging to potential customers.

A new website that is modern, responsive, and easy to use will improve the user experience and make it more likely that visitors will stay on your site and engage with your content. Make sure users will be able to easily navigate, find what they’re looking for, and take the desired action using the latest techniques in user experience (UX) design. By doing so, your conversion rate will increase.

2. Improved Branding

A website commonly acts as an initial introduction between business and customer. A website that is visually appealing and reflects your brand can help you make a good first impression and establish trust with your audience. On your website, you will be able to better showcase your brand’s personality, values, and offerings in a way that is designed to appeal to your specific target audience.

Doing this will not only create a positive impression but a lasting one. The messaging you convey on your website will be tied to the imaging and visual representation that you craft for your brand, which will help your products or services stick out for future purchases.

3. Better Search Engine Optimization (SEO

Search engines like Google continuously update their algorithms, and a website that was optimized for search a few years ago may not be performing as well today. SEO techniques adapt to current trends, so using some adapted to the current year will be important for your website and company’s continued success. Elements of SEO success include strong site structure, content and keyword optimization, and technical SEO (such as implementing things like proper header tags and XML sitemaps).

4. Enhanced Security

Security threats are no joke– leaving them unattended can create potentially major blows to the reputation of your brand or your own assets. Cybersecurity threats constantly evolve, so it’s always good to take measures to compensate.

As such, it is important to update your site semi-regularly, as an outdated website is more vulnerable to attacks. A new website can be built with the latest security measures in place, protecting both your business and your users.

5. Mobile Compatibility

In today’s digital age, businesses need to have mobile-friendly websites. This is because many people access the internet through their mobile devices, so websites that aren’t optimized for mobile devices miss out on a part of their potential consumer base. Having a mobile website also makes purchasing easier, allowing for more spontaneous purchase decisions to be made as it is easier to access the commerce side of your website. Updating your website to fit mobile devices is another reason why creating or refreshing your website is vitally important.

6. Greater Flexibility

As your business grows and evolves, you may need to add new features or functionality to your website. A new website can be designed to be more flexible and scalable, making it easier to make updates and add new features as needed. For instance, new technologies can more seamlessly integrate into your website to improve functionality and user experience when websites are more up-to-date already.

Overall, a new website can help you better achieve your business goals and make it easier for customers to engage with your brand. If you’re considering a website update, now is a great time to start planning for a new site in 2023.

2023-01-05

Hot Digital Marketing Tips for Pizzerias

Digital marketing is a key component of a small business’s success. From social media marketing to search engine optimization to email marketing, we have listed some tips to make sure your pizzeria stands out among the crowd!

1. Optimize your website to pop up in relevant local searches

“Pizza near me” is one of the highest searched terms on Google. To attract customers to your website, you need to focus on local search engine optimization (SEO). You can do this by optimizing your website with relevant keywords from your menu and location. For example, if you are a pizzeria in St. Louis, Missouri you should add keywords such as pizzeria in St. Louis, pizza near St. Louis, or pizza place in St. Louis, MO to your website. SEO is crucial because it makes your website more visible, which means more traffic and more opportunities to convert visitors into customers.

2. Include the right information on your website and social media profiles

Your profile and website are the portals that take basic digital engagement and convert it into actual pizza orders. If your profile doesn’t include the right information, it will fail to gather potential customers and leave you with nothing but engagement. To ensure you receive orders, your profile should include these four components: your location(s), hours, story highlights, and a link to your website. A brief bio describing what your pizzeria offers is also helpful for potential customers.

3. Take your social media followers into the kitchen

Taking your customers behind the scenes is a great way to show them who you are as a brand. Posting sneak peek photos and videos of what is happening in the kitchen and how your pizza is made is a great way to give your customers a little more. Showing the love and dedication that goes into your product will make customers feel closer to your brand and safe knowing that their pizza is in good hands. Videos and pictures can go beyond the kitchen and into the delivery, packaging, and serving of the pizzas for an even more personal feel.

4. Send promotional SMS messages and emails

One of the simplest ways to increase brand awareness and convert prospects into customers is the use of promotional text messages and emails. This is an easy way to reach your customers, and if you have a large customer base, you can send messages with targeted discounts and promotions to encourage order placement. Furthermore, promotional messaging is a great way to encourage second orders from customers who’ve only purchased once, prevent order abandonment, or re-engage customers who haven’t ordered in a while.

5. Introduce a loyalty program

Consumers tend to enjoy pizza from multiple restaurants, so it is important to create a loyalty system to ensure your customers are always coming back for your pizza and your pizza only. With a loyalty program, customers know that every time they order from you, they become one step closer to earning free food. A loyalty program will encourage your customers to always purchase from you rather than your competitors who might offer a very similar menu. Great loyalty programs have contributed to the success of many large franchises like Domino’s and Pizza Hut, and can be of great value for your pizzeria even if you only have one location.

So take your pizzeria to the next level as we head into 2023. With the 5 methods above, your digital marketing efforts will soar to new heights in the new year.

2022-12-21

Author: Emma Turnbull