Restaurant websites can be a powerful marketing tool that will help you develop regular customers if you design it properly.

The key is regular communication. By staying in front of your customer and giving them a reason to do business with you over and over again you can build loyalty.

How do you do that with your restaurant's website?

An opt-in e-mail newsletter is the key. This will allow you to communicate regularly with your customers. First you want to give your customers a reason to receive your e-mails. Entice them with your best special or coupon when they sign-up online. Then it's all about adding value and telling your story.

Use your newsletter to build a more personal relationship with your customer to keep them coming back. Let them into the lives of your employees and if you're family owned tell them about yourselves. This builds an incredible bond.

You can help cure the problem of loneliness for your customer. Help them get to know you so they'll come back again and again.

Then just make simple offers and ask for their business. Coupons are great, loyalty programs are even better. You might even try building a referral program, or give them special discounts when they get their friends to sign-up for your e-mail newsletter.

None of this has to be perfect, you just have to build a system and execute it regularly.