New website: Brewhouse Grille

Every year, I say that my New Year's resolutions, should I be tasked to write them for local bars and restaurants, are for each venue to have a web presence. A functioning, regularly updated site with current event listings and an e-mail newsletter sign-up is ideal, but frankly, a stagnant page with the establishment's vitals is better than nothing.

A big pat on the back goes to Brewhouse Grille for fulfilling this resolution so quickly into '09. They finally have a real website - showcasing their menu, an e-newsletter sign-up, photos and directions. You can also make online reservations. It's a little slow, but it's here. The only update I would suggest for them is to include their beer menu (much loved by craft brew aficionados) and entertainment updates.

Comments

[Scott]

I am going to offer some constructive feedback in hopes that Brewhouse Grille reads your post.

I enjoy the Brewhouse Grille especially for their beer selection. While I agree having everything you said on the web is a must, I am not at all impressed with their website. The Flash only is a BIG no, no, even in 2009. What if someone is out and about and trying to find specials via a cell phone that does not support Flash? Or someone just does not have the plugin installed, they may not want to install Flash.

The Flash is not even done well, it looks very 1990's and not in a good way. Their logo could use some sprucing up as well. After visiting their website I cannot say that I am inspired to return to it.

My immediate impression when seeing a website like this is that the owner's nephew claims he does web design. When your website is forward facing to the customer it is worth paying to have it designed professionally. There are a host of local folks that could improve the website without breaking their bank.

[Shawn Farner]

I agree with Scott. By making the site flash-only, they've essentially locked out all the devices that don't support flash and stranded customers who choose not to install it.

It certainly entertains the eyes, but if I want to look at their menu, I don't want to sit through a 20 second animation first. :)

[Sara]

I agree with you guys 100% regarding the flash. However, I am thrilled they have their own website, rather than a lame, ugly myspace page or nothing at all.

[Ken]

My two-cents is that I agree completely on the need for restaurants to have web sites. With menus. With prices. Nothing annoys me more than trying to find out information about an eatery and not finding a web site. And it MUST have a menu with prices. I have a family of 5 and cost is extremely important to us when we go out. I would rather see these places spend more money on a good web presence, and forgo some other forms of advertising.

After all, this is the 21st Century isn't it?

And my other pet peeve is restaurants that "seem" to have a website when you Google them, and then you click on the link only to find that the domain has been taken back from them for not paying. This has happened to me a number of times, including just last week!

A good web site is a big part of customer service.

[Dani_PA]

I worked at brewhouse from the day it opened until about 2 years ago - and I had been bugging Norm & Larry from the start to get a site! Glad they finally did it.

I know some people think their beer menu is just "good" - but it will always be the place where I learned about GOOD beer and how to appreciate it.

And the revamped menu is AWESOME. I had the scallops one night and wanted to lick the plate.

[shane]

This site is essentially the same as having no site. If I am out looking for a place to go, I will not be able to see this site on most mobile devices. This site is an example of everything you do not do when making a site. Even from a marketing standpoint, the logo looks jagged because of the poor flash compression.

I feel badly for saying this because I have a company that provides redesigns and I would target this site for a redesign. However, it needs to be said, you should consult a trustworthy professional for your business. I would think this restaurant is in the basement of someone's house. Notice I did not place my organization's name here so I am not trying to advertise.

[Sara]

Sheesh, people. The flash sucks; it's too slow. That is the only thing wrong with this.

I didn't post this bit of info for a critique of the web work, but surely you're all welcome to do so.

Shane, I disagree strongly that this is the same as having no site. Most sites that I try to access don't show up very well on my mobile device (and I don't think I should be required to have an iphone), but I still believe that this is an upgrade from a lazy, ugly, disheveled Myspace page, which is what they had.

You're all right - there are plenty of talented, local professionals that could do this better. But most restaurateurs don't know you, or they think you're too expensive. I urge you to share the love. Offer a restaurant rate; pitch them. Give ideas, offer suggestions that make sense to them. Most restaurant owners aren't as techy savvy as we are.

I'm just grateful they finally own their own domain name - it's about time!

[shane]

This site will not show up on my iPhone. How is that not the same as having no site? I won't know the menu, address, phone number, can't reserve... if you disagree, how did going to this site on an iPhone just help me (or the business)? Here is an example of a really poor site that I can at least see because it provides a workaround to another example of poor flash:
http://www.dukesbarandgrille.com/index.html

Cha-ching... I just spent my money drinking your competition's beer along with every other iPhone user in the area... the #1 mobile browsing device right now. (p.s. Not an Apple fanboy. At all.)

Overpriced? Personally I agree with you for the most part on that. We are about half the price of others. We are also trustworthy and don't pull the bull of most web developers. Even with that said, if you have a $10 business, build a $10 website.

[Joshua Hynes]

Sara, Honestly most people are probably commenting about the website design because it's so poorly put together. If the website had been put together well (not amazing, but well) in flash, some people might make a comment, wishing you could access the website in a non-browser environment (and I don't believe even iPhone's currently have a Flash player). Still most would shrug their shoulders and move on.

[brian]

Agreed (all above comments that is).

Restaurants NEED a web presence whether poor or professional, I can't understand how they could consider going without. I agree that this site is lacking in a great number of areas, but first and foremost - where's the pics!? Why restaurants build websites without ever posting some pictures is so strange to me, especially if the interior to your eatery is nice.

Anyhow, Sara keep on these local spots to get online, thanks for posting this update.

[shane]

"I didn't post this bit of info for a critique of the web work, but surely you're all welcome to do so."

Ha! Sorry... please accept my apologies. I read the comments and sort of just followed the flow. OOPS!

[Sara]

Shane - I didn't say you could access it on your iphone, I said I can't see MOST sites on my phone, which is not an iphone. (And that I shouldn't HAVE to have one. Sigh.)

I also didn't call ANYONE overpriced. I said restaurant owners may think web design is too expensive. A lot, I repeat, aren't as techy savvy as we are.

Josh - you're probably right. My experience with venue owners and web access is pretty broad. I've begged many a person (like Dani PA did with Brewhouse) to get a real website. I just see it as baby steps, so I know to be a bit more patient.

I hope that someone here who feels passionately about this will contact Brewhouse and make them an offer.

[Paul]

I think my team could have totally rocked this out for them and done it the right way so that it's functional and eye candy. :)

One minor gripe i have with the site is even though all flash which i'm not a fan of it's all flash and not well done, waiting for the header to run through it's animation until the content loads on every page is a bit much.

It's not for me to judge, just burry the needle on design for our customers!!

[Knowledge]

The Brewhouse's new website is an epic Fail.

Flash is a no no.

It takes a full fifteen seconds for the front page to render. I was bored after three seconds.

I dare a knowledgeable web developer to make them an offer. But consider this: Norm and Larry are notorious for hiring 3rd party vendors to do work and never paying them. Numerous bands have had their Brewhouse checks stop-payed. The designer who created the original BHG logo and menus was also never paid for his work.

Beware.

[Mike]

For those of us who DON'T have an iPhone or other web-capable cell phone (we still exist, believe it or not), we use computers to visit restaurant web sites before we leave the house. Therefore, having a website is MUCH better than not having one any day.

[Heather]

If there are so many local restaurants the don't have sites, this could be a niche business opportunity for someone to follow up on. Like, creating a directory of restaurants w/ menus, photos, etc; or setting up something like WordPress MU and offering restaurants an easy way to set up a basic site.

[Steven]

The Web site is lame, but the food is damn good, so I'll forgive them. Ultimately it is better than not having a Web site and word-of-mouth is still the best marketing tool for a small business. One note on Flash, most search engines don't do a good job of crawling Flash so they are limiting their audience.

[R]

@Heather: I believe that is what www.dineindie.com attempted to do. They have restaurant listings, menus where provided, and contact info.

So what's better? An aggregator like dineindie, that collects info from many local places so you can browse, or a full-featured standalone site that can be customized with an events calendar, changing menus, etc?

For me, whatever shows up in Google and tells me what I need to know the fastest is what works.

Sara: don't take all the criticism so personally! When you say that BHG deserves "a big pat on the back," then we click through and see "epic fail" (to quote someone else), you're going to get negative comments. We know the whole point of your post was that it's better for a restaurant to have a web presence than not. But as Josh pointed out, they would overlook it if it weren't so...awful. Sorry. Worth it for the page views, right?

[eels]

Yikes, I am that "terrible web designer". So sorry to see that not many are liking the site! One thing I think I should point out is that the crazy animation was actually client requested, so take that for whatever it's worth. Generally I don't recommend going all flash for the many reasons you all pointed out, but rather than battle my clients I'm trying to satisfy their requirements.

I can, in my defense (if I am allowed to defend myself after such sins), say that I've been at this job for 12 years and have a lot of satisfied clients. I don't claim to be the best in the world, but in most cases I think I've done very well.

But back to the Brewhouse site, we will definitely work on getting something that is compatible with most mobile devices. This is just a start! I don't blame anyone for their criticism because frankly, we need to hear it to make sure we are doing our best.

[Toni]

I just viewed the website for the first time and I don't understand all of the negative responses??? Some people have way too much time on their hands and need to get a life. If I want to go and get a bite to eat and a drink, I really don't need to look on a freakin website to find the place I want to go. If you like a place, you usually go back. Cooks - cook, teachers - teach, typers - type & I guess all of you computer techies-tech. You need to give them a break at least they have something, I really don't think it is their top priority.... Another note, how immature of the person that posted the comment about Norm and Larry personally, get a life & grow the hell up!

[jim Fox]

Hi All

If you all want to post negative comments about a site have the balls to do it and take responsibility for it. If you want to trash someone show the nerve to post an email address and full name. Using a first name and fake address just shows your lack of spine to stand behinf your comment. If you want to trash something stand behind your comments and let the accused ask for further help. Jim Fox jim_pa@yahoo.com