Building a successful restaurant in Malaysia is no easy feat as key aspects of the business have to be running like clockwork, namely having top-quality food made from fresh ingredients and an ever-growing customer base. Having these two components will ensure your eatery is profitable and can expand into new markets where demand for top-notch cuisine is rife. Every restauranteur wants to see their business get to this level, but actually achieving it requires hard work, dedication and consistency. One of the best ways to captivate your customers and tell them why you are unique is through a food blog, as it gives you the perfect platform to share your story while also letting the masses know about your promotions and any events you may have been holding.
You may have already thought about launching a food blog but may be unsure about how to set it up and what needs to be done to ensure it attracts your customers’ attention. Well, have no fear because Kitchen Connect has prepared an in-depth guide that gives you an insight into everything you need to know.
Memorable food blog name and niche
When deciding to set up your food blog, the first step is coming up with a catchy name that people will remember going forward. You want it planted in their mind so that they keep coming back to read your content.
It is also key to revolve your food blog around a particular niche so that it’s different from the rest. Instead of focusing on bland and boring topics that have been written about numerous times, post engaging and unique content that really gets your readers talking. Think of your niche like your signature dish; it has to be an absolute knockout!
What platform will you choose?
So many blogging platforms exist right now, so there is plenty for you to choose from. Some of the most popular ones include WordPress and Wix since they are simple to use and provide plenty of assistance when you are setting up your food blog.
Don’t forget to spend the little amount of money it costs to get your domain name as your food blog won’t look professional if its name is followed by .wordpress.com, for example.
Pick a theme for your food blog
Choosing the right theme for your food blog is imperative as you want it to look appealing and deliver a good user experience for your visitors. It is worth experimenting with a few different themes to see which one stands out for all the right reasons.
Pick your plugins
There are plenty of free plugins you can install on your food blog to ensure it performs well. One of the best ones that are widely used is Yoast SEO, as it shows whether your content is optimised from an SEO (search engine optimisation) perspective. In addition, it also lets you know how readable your articles are.
Even though many plugins are available, that doesn’t mean you have to go overboard! Only install the ones that will really benefit your food blog, as having too many can result in slow loading speeds, shoddy performance and your site crashing.
Publish content frequently
This may seem obvious, but many food blogs don’t serve up fresh content regularly and pay the ultimate price – a significant loss in traffic.
In addition to publishing content regularly, it is worth experimenting with different writing styles and tones of voice to gauge which one really connects with your readers.
Exquisite photos
People all over the world are captivated by photos of beautifully designed and freshly prepared food. Use this to your restaurant’s advantage by posting pictures of the vast array of dishes on your menu to convert your readers into customers. What’s more, food photography nowadays doesn’t require a monumental financial investment as you just need your smartphone to capture the beauty and elegance of your food.
Guest posts are extremely useful
Guest posts can give your food blog a massive boost in traffic, especially if you manage to get an influential person in the F&B sector to write one. Reach out to master chefs or other industry specialists at networking events or send a polite request through social media or email. Remember, there’s no harm in asking!
Have social media accounts and subscribe buttons
Since everyone is on social media nowadays, creating an account for your food blog across many different platforms is vital. Share your content, post eye-catching photos and provide a deeper insight into what your business is all about.
Having a subscription button on your food blog is also necessary so people can get the latest posts in their emails. Since these people are interested in your website, the least you can do is allow them to subscribe!
If you want more marketing solutions for your food blog and restaurant, feel free to look at our seven-step guide.
Get the word out there
Promoting your food blog to let people know it exists is necessary. That being said, don’t keep droning on about it as it can frustrate people.
Rather than taking this approach, develop a strategy where you post certain content on Facebook groups and forums that match your target audience. Letting these people know the unique selling point of your restaurant or cloud kitchen is the perfect way to convince them to try your food.
Be sure to also reach out to well-known food bloggers and influencers in Malaysia and let them do a review after tasting your food. This can result in an influx of visitors and potential customers.
Develop a food blog SEO plan
Having a sound understanding of SEO is vital if you want your food blog to feature at the top of the search engine rankings. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by focusing on certain keywords you want your content to rank for, such as nasi lemak or rendang. These are known as short-tail keywords, but in addition to these, you also want to rank for long-tail keywords like Kuala Lumpur mee goreng mamak or Kuala Lumpur apam balik.
By utilising these keywords, especially the long-tail ones, your food blog will slowly start to climb the rankings on search engines like Google. This is a lengthy process, so don’t expect it to happen overnight!
Easy money
When you come to the point where your food blog has an established readership, you can start monetising it. There are many ways to do this, but Google AdSense is among the easiest and most popular.
Enabling advertisers to post advertisements on your food blog is another way to make money, but you must ensure that the advertisements are relevant and don’t harm your website’s user experience.
Get your food blog up and running
With all the information in the palm of your hands, it’s time to set up a successful food blog for your restaurant or cloud kitchen. Interested in learning more about improving your restaurant or about setting up a cloud kitchen in Malaysia? Learn more by filling up the form below to get in contact with us today!