7 ms·

Because a lot of web site design services sold to restaurants are sold by hucksters. p.s.: not all hucksters know that that's what they are. Heck, you or I mi

by dasht 16y ago

Because a lot of web site design services sold to restaurants are sold by hucksters. p.s.: not all hucksters know that that's what they are. Heck, you or I might be one, without meaning to be so. Of course, plenty enough do mean to be so and do awright for themselves that way.

sudont 16y ago
Touché. Now, just to figure out how to sell our honest and genuine services to them. Cold calling? Anybody with similar experience? I’m genuinely interested.
- netcan 16y ago
  I think you underestimate the powers that have given rise to the current state of affairs. Ecosystems of sellers usually develop around the characteristics of buyers. Restauranteurs are (as a general rule) terrible buyers and terrible clients. You might look at a site and think "that'll take x hours to do," but you need to factor in the time that it takes to get the client there. In my experience, that's several times x. Just making the sale could be several times x. You need to realize you are starting from scratch and that from where you stand, it's hard to know where scratch is. You will need to convince them why flash is bad (even though everyone they ask thinks it looks great). This is just one example. They will not be able to evaluate the site from the perspective of the user, that kind of thinking takes practice. Then crisis strikes when your offer which includes some little mini-app to do that thing they want with the menus (already done) and a custom design (hired a mid range designer) costs more than the other offer which is largely auto-generated. The reasons are similar for large companies having bad software, they are bad buyers.
  - sudont 16y ago
    I see! This must stem from the culture of cheapness that surrounds a lot of restaurants; supposedly the industry is cut-throat. This just means that the problem needs to be attacked on a different front: marketing. Which is where the hucksters come in...
spitfire 16y ago
Also, for a restaurant a website is really an extension of their menu/business card. Frankly, the websites that a lot of restaurants have are perfectly fine. Even the ones made by hucksters. Is the address and phone number clearly marked? A map? Menu? Wine list? If you wanted to get fancy you could update it regularly with events and specials, but that's not really necessary.

by dasht 16y ago

sudont 16y ago

Touché. Now, just to figure out how to sell our honest and genuine services to them. Cold calling? Anybody with similar experience? I’m genuinely interested.

netcan 16y ago
I think you underestimate the powers that have given rise to the current state of affairs. Ecosystems of sellers usually develop around the characteristics of buyers. Restauranteurs are (as a general rule) terrible buyers and terrible clients. You might look at a site and think "that'll take x hours to do," but you need to factor in the time that it takes to get the client there. In my experience, that's several times x. Just making the sale could be several times x. You need to realize you are starting from scratch and that from where you stand, it's hard to know where scratch is. You will need to convince them why flash is bad (even though everyone they ask thinks it looks great). This is just one example. They will not be able to evaluate the site from the perspective of the user, that kind of thinking takes practice. Then crisis strikes when your offer which includes some little mini-app to do that thing they want with the menus (already done) and a custom design (hired a mid range designer) costs more than the other offer which is largely auto-generated. The reasons are similar for large companies having bad software, they are bad buyers.
- sudont 16y ago
  I see! This must stem from the culture of cheapness that surrounds a lot of restaurants; supposedly the industry is cut-throat. This just means that the problem needs to be attacked on a different front: marketing. Which is where the hucksters come in...

spitfire 16y ago

Also, for a restaurant a website is really an extension of their menu/business card. Frankly, the websites that a lot of restaurants have are perfectly fine. Even the ones made by hucksters. Is the address and phone number clearly marked? A map? Menu? Wine list? If you wanted to get fancy you could update it regularly with events and specials, but that's not really necessary.