Wikipedia defines a brand as “the “name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller’s product distinct from those of other sellers.” In the restaurant business, your brand is the sum of the experience you provide your guests from the moment they first contact you.

The “internet of things” has changed almost every aspect of our lives, and how we market our business is no exception. If a restaurant doesn’t have a well-designed website, it can’t compete in today’s digital economy.

Restaurant patrons want the ease of access, communication, and social interaction that technology provides, and they rely on the internet to locate local businesses to patronize. A restaurant’s website must be designed to make it easy for regulars and potential customers to interact with their business. Below are my 3 absolute must-haves for the best restaurant websites.

We’re stoked to announce the launch of Nocciola’s new website!

Small Plates with Big Italian Flavor in East Harlem! Nocciola is a new Italian restaurant in East Harlem, NY that specializes in small plates and classic Italian dishes with modern flair. The restaurant has a rustic, homey feeling with a contemporary edge, so we designed their site to match.

Our clients often ask us why they should sign up for WebDiner’s monthly service plan, rather than just hire someone to build a site for a one-time fee. As a business owner, I understand budgetary concerns, but a once-and-done website just doesn’t offer the level of service, security, and support you get with a WebDiner subscription.

The best restaurant websites are the ones that give you a taste of the atmosphere, food, and service you’ll experience when you visit. Marina 84 is building their brand as a fun sports bar with delicious pub style food and toast worthy craft brews. We featured their big juicy burger, fun party atmosphere, and appealing servers on the home page to give potential patrons an idea of what they’ll experience when they step through the doors.

WebDiner had the pleasure of working with our clients We Cook Pizza and Pasta and Temple Street Eatery to create and launch their new restaurant web designs. We launched them this week and we’re so proud of the results that we just had to share them with you!

We’re constantly surprised by how hard it is to convince some restaurateurs that they must have a website! The internet isn’t just a passing fancy; it’s definitely here to stay. So why is it that less than half of independent restaurants (IR) in the US don’t have a website?

I recently read an article on NRN (Nation’s Restaurant News) of Chef predictions for the top menu trends of 2014. As I scanned the list, it occurred to me that although they list ten separate trends, all of the trends roll up into three main categories. So here’s my “Cliff’s Notes” version of the top ten menu trends for 2014.

I like to believe that we’re all looking for ways to reduce our impact on our planet. So today I thought we’d explore ways that restaurants can reduce their effect on our environment, and possibly put some money back in their pocket.