Directories That Should Matter to You

Sure, there are tons of restaurant directories out there.  So many it might make your head spin.  That’s why we are going to break it down for you and give you some tips as to what directories are worth a darn.

1.  Yelp:  (According to Compete.com) In November 2009, Yelp had over 27 million people getting directions and reviews to restaurants, shops and more.  With so many people utilizing the service, you really can’t go wrong.  Another plus to Yelp is their iPhone and smart phone application that customers can use on the go.  Yelp has different pages for each city and is geared mostly towards people looking for restaurants, although they do have directories for stores, spas, and nightplaces.
2. CitySearch:  City Search, similar to Yelp, has a custom page for different cities.   However, it is used for all types of directories, not mainly restaurants.  Don’t write CitySearch off just yet, though.  The still brought in almost 24 million visitors in November 2009 alone.  This means you have a good chance of catching some of those visitors and keeping them for your very own.
3. UrbanSpoon:  People are on their phones ALL THE TIME.  UrbanSpoon is wildly popular with smart phone and iPhone users and that should be reason enough to take the 2 minutes it takes to add a restaurant.  Since it is a site created for only restaurants and bars, this is the perfect outlet to get involved with as a restaurant owner/manager.  

Remember, when enlisting in these directories be sure to keep an eye on the reviews.  This can give you an insiders ear to what people think about your restaurant.  Also, you get the chance to right a wrong.  If someone is trashing your restaurant, publicly offer them a discount or gift card to make up for it.  People will see you are concerned and involved in the opinions of your patrons.