In today’s business climate, digital marketing is key to expanding your customer base and growing. A strong online presence in the restaurant industry allows potential customers to find important information about your business easier. The most critical part of a strong online presence is establishing a well-designed and functional website. Below, we’ve created a guide to help you build your restaurant website and optimize its effectiveness in generating new customers.
How to Create a Restaurant Website
When setting up a website, the first step is to register your domain and create a URL. You can pay to register your domain with a service like GoDaddy or Google Domains, but you can also choose a free website hosting service. Here are some of the best free website hosting platforms where you can build your restaurant's website:
1. WordPress
One of the most popular web hosting sites on the Internet, WordPress offers a variety of useful tools that help users set up their websites. They have many free themes that users can utilize or tweak to their exact needs. Users with graphic design or web development backgrounds can also build their sites from scratch if they want.
2. Wix
Boasting a user-friendly design and a lot of free tools, Wix is a great option for beginners and webmasters without a tech background. The service also offers hundreds of free templates that you can use to get your restaurant's website started.
3. Weebly
Weebly offers customers a lot of freedom in customizing their website, allowing them to create exactly what they want. The service also offers a variety of free templates and designs that customers can utilize.
If you're willing to spend some money on more features, there are many affordable options available, such as Squarespace or GoDaddy. Additionally, all of the free options listed above have premium options, which will give you access to many more features, storage space, and templates.
Building a Restaurant Website
Once you've signed up for a web hosting service, you can begin designing your restaurant's website. You can work on the website yourself, but many restaurant owners may choose to hire web developers or freelancers to give their websites a more professional look.
While each restaurant's website will differ slightly, there are four major components that every restaurant should have on their website: a home page, a contact page, a menu page, and an about us page.
Homepage
Your homepage is the central hub of your restaurant's website, and it's important that it's well-designed and easy to navigate. The homepage should have important information on it, such as your hours of operation and a link to your menu. You'll also want to prominently display your restaurant's name and logo.
Restaurant Menu
You want to be sure that your restaurant's menu is readily available and easy for customers to use. You should never make your menu a downloadable PDF or file that customers have to download because it can cause them to leave your site. Instead, have custom programs built into your site that display your menu items in a more visually appealing manner.
Contact Us Page
Your website should have a way for customers to contact you in case they have any questions or issues with their meals. Additionally, you can add a lot of other useful information to your contact page. Here is some other information that should be on your contact page:
- Social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram
- Hours of operation
- Address
- Tripadvisor and Yelp Reviews
4. About Us Page
This page is a great chance to make a personal connection with your customers and explain how your restaurant got started and some of the personal aspects that customers may not be aware of. On this page, for example, you can talk about the owners of the restaurant and their background, talk about when the business was founded, or introduce some of the kitchen staff.
Designing a Restaurant Website
Your restaurant's website should have a strong framework and structure, but it's also important for it to look appealing. Similar to the process of optimizing your menu, designing an excellent website can give your customers a great first impression and make your business look professional. Here are a few tips that you should consider when designing your restaurant's website:
- Color Scheme - The colors that you use on your website can affect how your customers perceive your restaurant, so choose them carefully. For example, colors like red, orange, and yellow can boost someone's appetite and make them excited to visit your restaurant. On the other hand, cool tones like blue and purple are not often naturally found in food, so they may decrease your customers' appetite.
- Image Quality - Nothing makes a website unprofessional like low-resolution or grainy pictures. So, if you're going to use photos on your website, make sure that they're high-quality and clear.
- Number of Images - While using a few images on your website may pique your customers' interest, too many images may make your website and business look cheap as many people connote lots of images with diners and low-quality restaurants. Try to limit yourself to only 1 or 2 images per page.
- Social Media Feeds - Using a simple string of HTML code, you can insert images from your social media feeds onto your website. It's a great way to show off your latest creations and for potential customers to see what patrons are saying about your business.
- Reviews - Personal reviews are very impactful on potential customers. So, if you see a particularly glowing review on your Yelp or Tripadvisor account, consider featuring it on your site.
What Makes a Good Restaurant Website?
Although restaurant web pages will vary depending on what type of restaurant you operate, there are some hallmarks of a good restaurant website. Typically, a great restaurant website will make things as easy and convenient as possible for customers. Here are some of the most common features of a quality restaurant website that customers will surely appreciate.
- Consistent Design & Branding - A high-quality restaurant website will contain consistent design and branding across all web pages. The consistency will give your website a more professional look and feel to customers.
- Fast Load Times - Quick load times are necessary to ensure customers don’t become frustrated and click away. Additionally, fast load times can boost your SEO rankings, helping your site climb search engine results pages.
- Easy Navigation - Strong restaurant websites should be easy to navigate. Important information should be readily available because you don’t want customers spending a considerable amount of time trying to find information such as your menu or contact information.
- Mobile Optimization - A great deal of online traffic comes from mobile devices such as phones and tablets, so it’s vital to optimize your website for mobile browsing. If your website is not properly designed, mobile users will likely get frustrated and look elsewhere.
Restaurant Website Goals
When creating a restaurant website, it’s essential to have a few goals in mind of what you would like your website to accomplish. Your restaurant’s website is the biggest part of your online presence and can generate a lot of positive outcomes when constructed correctly. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most important goals you’ll want your website to contribute to:
- Visibility - The main goal of a restaurant website is to establish your online presence and allow more customers to find your business. A strong website will rank highly in search engine results, boosting brand awareness and visibility.
- Information - One of the main purposes of your website is to inform customers of important details regarding your business. Your website should provide your hours of operation, location, contact information, and menus.
- Reservations - Including a section where customers can book reservations is a great way to get more customers. When customers can book reservations directly on your website and don’t have to take extra steps, they will be more likely to book a reservation with your restaurant.
- Connection - A website should be an extension of your restaurant’s physical location and make it easier to connect with customers. Information like an about us page and FAQ help customers gain a better understanding of your restaurant.
A restaurant website can open many new opportunities for your business. If done correctly, the website can attract new customers, boost awareness, and add legitimacy and professionalism to your restaurant brand. With the industry becoming increasingly digitized every year, establishing a quality restaurant website is one of the best ways to ensure success.
