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Make money from local restaurant website?

by pwk2000
8 replies
I have a chance to get a local restaurant directory in a fairly large city. It ranks well in the search engines. How do I make money with it?

The previous owner was not able to sell any directory listings. Then I noticed almost no restaurants are even advertising in google/bing for common searches. Does not seem like a good sign. This is a city with population of over 300k.

1. Why are these restaurants not advertising in google/bing for things like "city italian restaurant"? If they don't see any value in that how would they see any value in a directory listing? Seems like an uphill climb.

2. Besides doing business listings and adsense, are there any other creative ways to make money from this type of website?

3. Does anyone have any experience selling to restaurant owners? How would you categorize them? Are local restaurants not likely to advertise online? In a casual conversation I spoke with one and he wanted proof that it would bring in customers before signing up.
#local #make #money #restaurant #website
  • Profile picture of the author rhealy29
    There are really two ways to look at this.

    One is "If they're not already out there trying to get seen in local search, they must not see value in it, which will make it hard to sell them on a directory."

    the other is,

    "They're not already out there trying to get seen in local search which provides me with a huge opportunity to show them the value in it and bring them on as clients."

    I'd wager that most marketers here would see a city of 300k+ with little to no competition in local search in the restaurant niche as a huge opportunity rather than a potential problem! I'd say it's probably time to start thinking bigger than just a directory site and get out there and start racking up clients for a more complete package including everything they need to dominate local search results.
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    • Profile picture of the author VHSEOMike
      Agree. Look beyond directories. If you want them to pay, try making them a part of your website first - photographs, content, review, etc. That will help show value but it involves some work too. Once they see some response from visitors due to your site, they will be interested in growing this further.

      Look at it like how they build travel review sites and not just a directory. Hope this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author Pakblogger2012
    nice info shared.
    thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author ohhugo
      Well,

      before anyone else tells you I would recommend you to read John Durham's Bower Report 2.0...it is exactly on the subject.
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    I have seen very few local directories make it. There was a very successful one here in San Diego, they ended up selling it to the local newspaper and did very well. Besides restaurants they had nightclubs and bars, then built email list of 30,000 people.
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  • Profile picture of the author 4webmaster
    I think you can add a mobile function to your directory, ask restaurant owners to add free their restaurants in your directory (mobile and desktop) if they order a mobile version of their website. Add coupons.... If you don't know how to build a mobile site browse WSO and mobile marketing thread to learn more.
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    https://stevesuard.com
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  • Profile picture of the author pauljg1
    Maybe create a Voucher/Discount booklet to promote and get it sent out to all surrounding area, people love deals. Or Look into sending text messages for free via bluetooth within various locations around the city with offers and advertisements.
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  • Profile picture of the author pwk2000
    Thanks for the ideas. Was thinking of trying to convert that local traffic with affiliate offers, like restaurants.com or groupon. And maybe building an email list to let restaurants send out their offers for a fee.
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