What is the one thing eCommerce can do for your restaurant?

Just one thing?

OK, if I have to limit it to just one thing:

eCommerce creates another revenue source for your restaurant.

There is no doubt that internet users are doubling every month in every geographic market. From Dublin, Ireland to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the internet is opportunity, convenience and simplicity.

People love it. They can find information about your restaurant (there are lots of third parties that do this); click to see your menu (usually brought to them by third parties) and find directions (from third parties), simply by doing a Google search. But, even if you refuse to offer any online directional, menu or informational service to your customers (relying on the third parties for this) the one thing you would have to do to earn money from your website is create an eCommerce account.

And why not get an eCommerce account?

It doesn't matter if you're selling food or t-shirts. Once people go to your website, if you simply offer an online path to commerce, then you'll see people buying. One of the first sales tips I ever heard was: you have to give people a price for them to buy. The whole idea of eCommerce is allowing your customers to spend on their time. Maybe they don't want to go to your store to buy one of your t-shirts - they want to do it online. Your customers may enjoy ordering your food online instead of calling in (I know that when I call into a pizza shop, I have to ask the attendant on the phone about the toppings - an online list sure would be nice). Make sure your customers CAN actually do something on your website. Give them an actionable eCommerce path!

eCommerce should be the single most important component of your website. I cannot say this enough. Give people a chance to speand and you'll find that they are spending...