Some 39% of restaurants don't have a website, finds Livebookings

27th January 2011, 8:32am

Over a third (39%) of restaurants don't have a website and 25% don't promote the site anywhere on the internet, according to research from Livebookings, the global online reservations and marketing service for restaurants.

Brits have also admitted that in most cases they will know when they want to eat but wont know where, so 66% will frequently use generic search terms such as "Italian in Soho" to locate somewhere suitable.

Some 71% also stated that using Google was their preferred method of searching for restaurants. However, only 42% of restaurants use search engine optimisation to improve their online rankings and 23% have never checked how easy their site is to find online.

Other popular methods for consumers searching online are review sites such as Time Out (25%) and voucher sites, such as Moneysupermarket.com (23%).

The research also found that only 44% include the bare minimum map and contact details on their site, although 81% of consumers expect it. And despite 68% of Brits now preferring to book tables online, only 18% of restaurants are offering the service.

Meanwhile 21% of consumers say that Trip Advisor is their preferred method of feeding back, with filling in a form on the restaurant's website being most common (34%). Comment cards are currently used most by restaurants (46%), only a fifth (20%) are monitoring online review sites and 20% don't collect feedback at all.

In response to these findings, Livebookings will be running a new series of Academy events for restaurateurs, beginning with 'Maximising Reservations – Same Restaurant, Higher Profits' in February.

Miles Quest, from the British Hospitality Association, said: "It's clear from this research that the internet is playing an increasingly important role in how consumers are finding and booking restaurants. 

"We urge restaurateurs across the UK to carefully consider how successful their online activity is and if it's either non-existent or not performing strongly to act swiftly, as the numbers of diners searching online is only going to increase."

Olivia FitzGerald, Livebookings UK and Ireland regional director, added: "Restaurant owners and their employees are up against it on a daily basis, juggling multiple tasks."

"Having an online presence which is easy to find, navigate and reserve through is a necessity as it keeps the restaurant covers ticking over and frees up staff to look after diners. To help restaurateurs looking for advice on boosting their website, we're hosting a number of upcoming events on key topics, details of which can be found on our website, www.livebookings.co.uk."

Related Articles:

• 08 Sep 2010 - Livebookings partners with IENS restaurant guide
• 25 May 2010 - Livebookings launches Barometer for restaurateurs
• 24 Feb 2010 - Livebookings and Restaurantdiary team up
• 06 Nov 2009 - Livebookings announces its fourth academy event
• 12 Oct 2009 - Livebookings appoints key account manager
• 30 Jun 2009 - Success for Livebookings' third academy event
• 15 Apr 2009 - Livebookings Academy to launch
• 30 Mar 2009 - New marketing director at Livebookings
• 17 Feb 2009 - Online restaurant bookings surge
• 09 Feb 2009 - Livebookings experience online surge
• 07 Mar 2008 - Livebookings secures £6.5m boost by Balderton Capital
• 15 Jan 2008 - Livebookings teams up with Hotelympia
• 24 Aug 2007 - Live bookings in real-time restaurants

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