I've been asked to manage the online affairs of a local eatery. A Facebook group, Twitter and updating a website. Unfortunately, for me, this also includes working with a local web design company to get the website off the ground (not what I was expecting to be part of my job) and I have zero experience with that sort of thing.

I know they'll work with me, but I don't want to go into this looking like a complete idiot, so could anyone point me in the direction of some simple and clean, but nicely put together sites to reference and maybe font suggestions for headings and bodies of text?

Basically, the site is just going to consist of the menu, an about the company, directions and hours with exterior and interior photos and the company logo.

In my experience, the "local web design company" should be able to offer font and layout ideas for you; that's part of what they DO. To me, it would seem that your job is to make sure that the content is current and relevant, and that all the information is there. But for ideas, look at other sites for similar places. Are there other eateries in town that have sites? Surf around and do some recon. There's no hard fast rules on any of this.

btw, as far as Facebook and Twittering, also in my experience, if there's no "plan" in place on how you're going to engage your customers/clients, then you're setting yourself up for failure. Too many people think "oh shit, I need a Facebook page!" but they haven't really fleshed out how they're going to engage-- what are the goals? how are you going to measure your success? who's updating the content? how often? One thing I do know for sure, people on Facebook do NOT like to be marketed to, so there needs to be clever ways of engaging your customers.

also: regarding fonts... is there already some sort of "identity" associated with the eatery? Do all their menus, print ads, etc. look the same? You'll want to maintain some consistency online with what you're already doing.

Just my .02.

edit: check out what Naked Pizza did to launch a really successful Twitter campaign.
http://www.squaremartinimedia.com/twitt ... ked-pizza/

I'm not really in web design so I shouldn't say much, but all of the above looks like good advice. You may also want to see if your employer knows of any websites that they like, and that could help guide you and the designers. If not, you're probably better off just leaving that up to the designers, but as d said, look at the websites for other eateries in the area so that you're familiar with the level of competition.

All a Facebook page for a restaurant should really be is a place to post about events, featured menu items, coupons, and such. If people like the place, they'll become fans, and that has a viral effect. I guess Twitter would pretty much be the same.

I'm trying to fill out the worksheet for the design company and they've asked for typface preferences, though I'm sure when I actually start working with that that'll be fleshed out.

There aren't really similar local businesses that have sites, though. Small town Vermont (at least this small town) doesn't really have much of an online presence. Which is basically the reason for a possible Facebook page. Just a place where the occasional update can be made regarding specials or live music events. Mostly for the locals and regulars.

The restaurant is an established favorite, but has recently been taken over by a new owner. She has the older letterhead, but doesn't even have business cards at the moment. I think she's keeping the letterhead the same, though, so as soon as I get that I'm hoping it will be used as a font guide for the site.

Thanks for the input, d and drinky.

another interesting article re: social media strategy...
http://forfreeblog.blogspot.com/2010/03 ... ocial.html

I left out the key word "not" there. I love typos like that.

haha - I thought maybe you were disputing Dana in some way with that first sentence.

The key is consistent, and interesting updates. If the restaurant has specials, ALWAYS update the special. If the bartender is cool and makes his own drinks "Jimmy's mixing his famous margaritas" just keeps your info in front of people. It is marketing, but stealth marketing. Same with Twitter, except that right now, more actual consumers use FB than Twitter, so link the platforms.

Here's a political take, but it applies to anyone trying to push any message, imo: http://www.moweryconsulting.com/the-mos ... g-it-more/

Exactly. I meant to imply that users don't like to be marketed to in a traditional way, i.e. "COME EAT AT MY PLACE!" and a constant barrage of emails. You can even get stealthier by running Facebook ads that target specific people in the community (you know, those ads that show up on the right hand side when you log into your account). Pretty inexpensive, and you might attract followers/fans in your small town or other nearby small towns.

btw, way to go with your "stealth marketing," Mowery.

Skip it. The internet is a passing fad.

Obviously, I have nothing substantive to add.

Some of what I've already thought has been touched on, but there's definitely a lot more to think about. Thanks, Obnerds.

It's an interesting position, because it wasn't even my idea to get involved in this, but someone suggested me and for some reason the owner took him up on his suggestion. I figured it would be a good learning experience and I was poured about $30 worth of alcohol in two hours last night while talking about it, so it can't be a bad thing.

Gar, I like the "stealth marketing". I don't want to be responsible for annoying the crap out of people (more than I already do).