Bar Website

What's So Important About a Bar Website?

Every business, big and small, needs to have a website—even a cocktail bar needs to have an online presence. Your cocktail bar or tavern is no exception.

Why Your Bar needs a Website

• New Customers. People use the internet today the way they used telephone books in the old days. When looking for something to do or a new place to go, people turn on the computer and browse online. To attract the attention of these folks, you must have a presence on the internet.
• Existing Customers. Having a website helps keep you in the minds of people who have already visited your bar. Next time they are looking for a place to go, encourage them into coming back by reminding them about you via your website or social media efforts.
• Potential Employees. People look for jobs online. Even if you are not currently hiring, a bartender may find you while searching for different cocktail bars in the area. He or she may stop in with a resume, just in case. If you are hiring, you are well-advised to include that information on your website in addition to advertising in online classifieds, such as Monster.com or on Craigslist.
• Potential Business Partners and Potential Investors. You never know who you might impress. By being a presence on the internet you give other business people the opportunity to find out about you unobtrusively. They might like what they see!

What Should be on a Cocktail Bar's Website?

You have one chance to make an impression on somebody. When a person browsing the internet finds your site, they will immediately size you up. They either go elsewhere, and never give you a second thought, or stay and possibly bookmark your site. You have one split-second chance to show people why your cocktail bar is the best. Make sure you that you have the following attributes on your site:

• A professional look and feel. Your website must look professional. If it looks thrown together or as if you don't take yourself seriously, no one that clicks on your website will take you seriously, either.
• Logo. Any logo that you have on your menus or in the bar should be at the top of the website. Logos help people recognize and remember you, which assists in the idea of "branding" your cocktail bar.
• Photographs. Choose some photographs that display the ambiance in your cocktail bar. Make sure everything in the photo looks sparkling clean, and any bartenders or other people are smiling. The photographs should make people want to visit.
• Basic information. Include at the bottom of your homepage the bar's street address and mailing address, telephone number, and email address. Include hours of operation.
• About your bar. Give some interesting historical information about your bar on the website's homepage. Are you in an interesting building? Why? How long have you been there? What drinks and snacks do you offer? Are you going to have any promotional events soon?

The homepage should be short and to the point. It is your opportunity to make a good first impression and encourage people to browse your site without overwhelming them with too much information on one page. Other pages to consider adding to the site include employment opportunities, a contact us form,and about us page, and information on special occasions.

Perhaps most important to having a useful bar menu—keep your bar website up-to-date!