In this day and age, it’s commonplace for consumers to research restaurants’ websites while choosing a place to eat. This is why websites for restaurants are so important! That being said, the restaurant industry is notorious for poor-quality and outdated websites.

A quality website can make the difference between a new customer and a missed opportunity. No matter how great your food, service, and ambiance are, a poorly constructed website can reflect badly on your business.

Many people assume the quality of a restaurant’s website is reflective of the quality of the restaurant itself. So you definitely want to be sure to keep your restaurant website design in tip-top shape!

Consider your website the face of your restaurant’s brand. It’s what forms potential customers’ first impression and sets the stage for their expectations. You’ve already perfected your menu, customer service, and location, now it’s time to make your website compliment that!

At Skrillex Media we create quality websites for all different industries, designed to drive business and promote conversions! You can trust us to improve your restaurant’s business with a beautiful and effective website. Read on to learn about 13 features all successful websites for restaurants must have.

13 Must-have Features of Websites for Restaurants

1. Contact information

When you’re designing a website for your business, you have to consider why people might be visiting your website in the first place. When it comes to websites for restaurants, one of the most common reasons someone might visit your site is to check your location, hours, or phone number to ask a question or make a reservation.

In addition to a contact page, your restaurant’s address, phone number, and hours should be visible on all pages like the example below. The circled areas are present on every page.

This makes it as easy as possible for website visitors to become real visitors to your restaurant.

You can even link your address to Google Maps so directions are just a click away no matter where your visitors are located! Likewise, a clickable phone number that can be auto-dialed for mobile website visitors is also a great idea.

In fact, according to a Google’s study, almost 50% of the respondents that were surveyed said that they are very likely to call a restaurant if the phone number on their website is clickable.  So instead of just putting your business’s phone number at the top of your web page, why don’t you make it clickable? You can use 3rd party plugins or apps for this function.

Or you can also make your phone numbers clickable by adding them as a link to an icon. You can do this by editing the page. Highlight the phone number and click the hyperlink button found when on the visual editor tab. Enter tel: followed by your phone number. Make sure it has no dashes then click apply.

2. Menu

Aside from figuring out your restaurant’s location or phone number, one of the most common reasons for someone to visit your restaurant’s website is to check out the menu.

A responsive online menu is incredibly important. Don’t just upload a photo of your actual menu because:

It can be difficult for mobile users to scroll through.

It is more difficult for search engines to read. 

This also goes for PDF menus. It’s best to avoid any unnecessary steps to get your website visitors to the information they’re looking for.

Forcing people to download a PDF of your menu instead of listing your menu details directly on the site is a major faux pas. Many people will click off your website the second they see the download button. PDF menus are an especially huge nuisance for mobile users since downloading a menu takes up data, and that doesn’t come cheap!

As an alternative, consider linking a PDF version of your menu that opens a new tab for users. It loads quickly and is easy to view.

3. Great images of your food

Never underestimate the power of great pictures! Unfortunately, people can’t taste images. Having images of your food on your website is important to give consumers a glimpse of what you have to offer. However, low-quality or unappetizing images can have the opposite effect.

One thing to keep in mind when taking photos of your food is that people like seeing portion sizes. Be honest with the portions shown in your photos, otherwise, patrons might be upset if they receive a smaller plate than they expected based on what they saw on your website.

Show off how tasty your restaurant’s food is with high resolution, well-staged images. You don’t necessarily need images of every item on the menu, but the more the merrier! Even if you don’t use every photo that gets taken on your website, they can come in handy for your social media or if you ever decide to do a menu redesign!

Investing in high-quality photos from a professional photographer is a worthwhile investment. A single good photo can gain you countless customers! That being said smartphone photos might not do the trick. Sure, smartphone cameras have come a long way, but photos for your website should not be taken lightly.

You can even put images of the food directly on the menu so people can see a corresponding image when they read about a particular dish. Even if you don’t want images of the food on your physical menus, you may want to consider adding them to your online menu. Someone who is already inside your restaurant will likely stick around.

However, when they are reading your menu on your website, you have to entice them to come to the physical location in the first place. Adding photos to the menu shows you’re willing to go the extra mile, and a particularly tasty looking dish can convince someone who may have been on the fence simply reading about it.

4. Online ordering (or at least online reservations)

It’s 2020, and that means more and more restaurants and fast food joints have turned to online ordering options for delivery and takeout. The ease of online ordering is incredibly tempting to consumers, especially over placing orders by phone.

Many people feel more comfortable providing credit card information on a secure website than reading the card number over the phone, plus there are fewer chances of orders being messed up by mishearing someone.

Even if you don’t have delivery services or offer takeout, offering mobile options for placing reservations or placing catering orders can be extremely beneficial to your business.

5. Images of your restaurant’s interior

In addition to photos of the food, websites for restaurants should also include images of the restaurant itself. These images help set the scene for future customers so they know what to expect when they step foot in your restaurant. Ideally, your website should feature pictures of both the interior and exterior of your restaurant. If the exterior needs a little work, images of just the interior should do the trick.

The image below is an example of a website that utilizes many of the features we have discussed in this article including online ordering and a menu. It also features an awesome photo of the outside of the restaurant right on the home page. This can help solidify brand recognition when people pass by the restaurant and helps hungry website visitors know when they’ve found the right place!

6. A website theme that matches your restaurant’s style

As a restaurant owner, you understand the importance of atmosphere! Think of your website as an extension of your physical space. Does your website create a virtual version of the same atmosphere your restaurant provides? The restaurant below does. They even offer a virtual tour so patrons can see more of what their restaurant is like.

Consistency is key! If you run an upscale restaurant that caters to wealthier clientele, opt for a minimalistic design for your website with plenty of white space. If your restaurant is geared towards families, add a few whimsical features.

Since your website is often the first thing people see before they go to your restaurant, you want their first impression to be consistent with what they will see when they get there. You can even match the color scheme of your website to the decor of your restaurant!

Use your website to evoke the type of experience you hope your restaurant creates for its visitors. You definitely want to attract the right kinds of customers and create proper expectations. A cheaply designed website with lots of conversational text might draw the attention of fast food lovers while a sleek, modern design could attract more high-brow consumers.

7. A unique “about” section

Websites for restaurants can really benefit from the use of an “about” section. Look at the about section for your website as an opportunity to tell your story. Do you only use locally sourced ingredients? Let your customers know! Were you inspired by your great-grandmother’s recipes? Tell people all about it!

The about section is also a great opportunity to play up your restaurant’s key advantages. Do you have ample parking? Do you hire only experienced chefs? Are you known for quick service? Do you have free wifi? Let your website visitors know!

If you’re not sure which strengths you should play up, look no further than your online reviews. Comb Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and any other prominent review platform to see what real restaurant-goers are saying they like best about your business.

The pictures of your food should do the talking, but you can also use the about section to inform readers about your food. The combination of eye-catching images and skillfully written text can really help engage visitors and help them see the full picture of what you have to offer.

Think of the about section as the main opportunity to differentiate your restaurant from the competition. Highlight what makes your spot different and special.

8. When possible, include videos!

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then a video is worth 1,000,000! Here are some ideas for videos you could include on your site:

• Reviews from customers. Most restaurant patrons might not like having a camera in their face while they’re eating, but many will be more than willing to say a few kind words on camera in exchange for a free or discounted meal. You can even work with food bloggers/influencers to create meaningful video reviews for your website. They may not be free, but they could be a worthwhile investment for gaining new customers in the future!

• Food being prepared. Giving future restaurant patrons a glimpse into the food prep process can speak volumes about the cleanliness of your kitchen and the freshness of your ingredients.

• A video explaining the restaurant’s founding and mission statement. This can be a great opportunity to put some life into the words on your about section. This restaurant created a mini-documentary to go along with their about section!

9. Event calendar

This is not necessary for all websites for restaurants, but if you have somewhat frequent events or rotating specials, it can be helpful to include a calendar on your website. Just remember to update the calendar regularly. There is nothing more frustrating than clicking on a calendar only to find it has not been updated for years.

If you’re looking for some fun events to host at your restaurant to draw in customers, consider regularly occurring trivia or bingo nights. Websites for restaurants are a prime hub to host information about upcoming events that can be advertised through social media.

10. Links to your social media profiles and review sites

Websites for restaurants are great for cross-promoting your social media and review site profiles. You can stick links in the footer of your website, or on a unique page dedicated specifically to outside links.

Just make sure your social media sites are consistent with the branding of your website and that you stay active on review sites, responding to reviews as needed. Side note: your social media platforms should link back to your website as well! You didn’t work hard on it not to show it off. All links should also open up new windows or tabs to ensure people don’t exit completely from your website.

11. Analytics

This is a web design feature that is not actually recognizable to consumers but is essential for all successful websites for restaurants. You can’t keep track of how effective your website is without some sort of analytics.

There are various analytics tools that can track everything from where website visitors are located to which pages get the most views.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few useful metrics you should be tracking

• Bounce rate: bounce rate refers to the rate at which people exit your site without converting into a customer. The more time people send on your site, the better, so you’ll want your bounce rate to be as low as possible.

• Keywords: If you plan on doing any search engine optimization or Google advertising, you will definitely want to know which keywords people are searching to find your website. This can also help you refine the words you use to market your business. For example, if many people have found your site by searching “burger joint near me,” you may want to stress your awesome burgers even if you have plenty of other menu items.

• Devices: You can actually track what kinds of devices people are accessing your website from. Given the on-the-go nature of the average restaurant website visitor, it’s likely the majority of your visitors are on mobile devices. Analytics can help you determine whether or not you are accurately tapping into the mobile market, as well as which operating systems your visitors are commonly using.

Interested in tracking your website’s effectiveness? Talk to the experts! We would be more than happy to help.

12. Catering and event reservation information

If you offer catering options or allow your restaurant to be rented out for parties, weddings, or corporate events, be sure to include this information on a separate page of your website. These can be huge opportunities for you and your business, so you want to make the information as easy to find as possible. Otherwise, website visitors may be tempted to look elsewhere.

13. Responsive layout

72% of all website traffic comes from mobile devices. It is absolutely imperative for all websites for restaurants to be able to adjust to any screen size or device type. Many people search for restaurant website on the go while deciding where to eat. If your website isn’t easy to navigate on a mobile device, you’re missing out! Many fast food chains even offer mobile payment options, making mobile websites for restaurants and even apps all the more important.

If all this sounds like a lot of work, it is. But never fear, we’re here to help! Our restaurant web design services can help your restaurant business grow! Contact us today for a free quote!

You've already set up a Facebook page for your coffee shop or restaurant and it's getting a lot of likes. So what do you need a website for? Well, there are many good reasons.

While social media is fantastic for reminding people about your business and keeping regulars updated, your Facebook and Twitter profiles should only be a supplement your main site.

Your own website is a powerful marketing tool that presents your brand to the world and can boost your local business. Here's how.

Customers search for local businesses

If you're new in town, or you're looking for a specific business, where do you turn in 2018?

According to Google, 80% of customers use search engines to research businesses in their local area, and half of these people visit a business they've looked up within the next 24 hours.

If someone searches for 'coffee shop' or 'Chinese restaurant' along with your location, Google will usually show them a short list of businesses that match these criteria – but will yours be included? There's a higher chance if you have a website and make sure this is linked on your Google Maps listing, as this increases your authority in the eyes of search engines and users.

Google and other search engines prioritise local business results, as these are the most useful to consumers. So even if you're just starting out, you've got a good chance of ranking highly against established names if you have a good website.

You'll notice that Facebook pages appear further down the search page (if they even make it at all), as these have less authority than official sites and review sites. How often do you click through to the second page?

You're in control

Facebook and other social media platforms impose their own design, rules and restrictions. They welcome you to promote your business on their platform, but you have very little control over the presentation. If you unintentionally break any of the site's ever-changing rules, or you get reported mistakenly or by someone with a grudge, you could find your page suspended without warning.

Your website is your own patch of online real estate where you control the layout and the content. If your cafe has an established theme, colours or personality, you can express all of this on your website through customisable themes, rather than settling for the generic blue and white of a Facebook page. This gives new customers a sense of what to expect when they visit.

You'll also have the chance to tell your story and express your company's values the way you want to, more clearly than in the small 'About' section of your social media page. While there may be feedback from satisfied customers posted to your social media and review sites, you can pick and choose the very best of these to use as testimonials on your website so they won't get buried.

A website looks professional

If a customer or investor wants to know more about your business, they'll often seek out your official website. If you don't have one, this can appear unprofessional or make it seem like you're not serious about your business – especially if your competitors do have websites.

Of course, simply having a website isn't enough if the site itself doesn't look good. It takes less than a second for a website to make a first impression on visitors, and many will leave immediately if they don't like what they see.

While you can set any theme of your choice, the layout should be clean, uncluttered and easy to read (preferably with no typos!), navigation should be simple and intuitive so users can find what they're looking for, and photos or images should be high quality and original, not generic images taken from other sites.

Adding your website to your local listings on Google Maps and apps like Foursquare will also make these more appealing and help you to stand out from the competition.

You're not promoting your competitors

Another downside of relying on third party sites like Facebook to connect with customers is that these sites show highly targeted ads to users based on their interests. So if someone likes your cafe, they may be recommended other cafes nearby, with these ads appearing right on your page.

You can encourage customers to spend more time browsing your own website by posting your major updates there and providing links from your social media platforms. This way, they'll only see what you want them to, not what advertisers want them to.

A website is easier to use

Your website's main function is to promote your business, but it can only do this if it's genuinely useful to your customers. Good websites are mutually beneficial as they make it easy for visitors to find the information they're looking for as quickly as possible, with fewer clicks than may be required on a social media profile.

For your cafe or restaurant, key details people want to know are your phone number, address and opening times. These should be clearly visible on every page, with your phone number at the top so mobile users can get in touch with one tap.

Take a look at what other websites are doing to make sure you're including all the information your customers need, from menus to driving directions and parking.

A website can boost bookings and sales

Your website isn't just an elaborate billboard – it can also be a direct sales tool when you add a 'Book Now' function allowing people to reserve a table online.

If you have other businesses or projects that aren't directly related to your restaurant, your website can promote these in a more natural and less intrusive way than on social media, where everything's lumped together in one stream.

We'll help you get started

Starting a website from scratch can be a challenge, especially if you don't have prior experience. Our themes make it simple to create a professional website and get it up and running.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help your business.

In surveys, many business owners say they don’t have the skills, the time, or the money to build a website. But a surprising number say that they don’t need a website in the first place, either because it’s not required or because they use social media instead. 

That idea is changing quickly though, especially as coronavirus makes in-person business more difficult. According to one survey, 29% of small businesses plan to use a website for the first time in 2020. Are you among them?

We’ve put together some specific reasons why your small business should have its own website. If you’re a small business owner who is still on the fence, read on! 

Customers now expect businesses to have websites

Now more than ever, customers want to be able to find information about you from your company website. Most consumers do research online before they make a purchase, even if it’s to buy something from their local shop. If you don’t have a website, it sends a message that your business is stuck in the Dark Ages, that you’re not open anymore, or that you’re not interested in finding new customers—and those are certainly not messages you want to send! 

You can control information and branding

User reviews and comments on other websites are great, but shouldn’t you have the final say about how your company is presented to the public? Having a website for your company instantly creates an official presence on the internet, so that you don’t have to depend on others speaking for you. And you can make it look exactly the way you want, with your own logo and company branding.

A website makes you look more reputable and trustworthy

Consumers are learning to be pretty savvy when they research online. In fact, 75% will judge your credibility based on your website design. That’s why it’s so important to have a modern, up-to-date website with a custom domain and other markers of trustworthiness. A website also shows that you are open for business during a time when there is a lot of uncertainty. 

You can sell products online

A website is more affordable than traditional advertising

Many small businesses who don’t have a website still rely on Yellow Page ads or traditional advertising to get their name out there. But is purchasing an ad in ever-shrinking and increasingly expensive directory the best use of funds, especially if you’re trying to cut business costs? Websites cost much less than they have in the past and give you a wider reach than regular advertising. 

A website is easier to keep up to date

If you tried starting a website years ago, you might have some bad memories from the experience. It probably took weeks for a developer to build, and then you couldn’t make any changes yourself. Simple things like updating store hours could take forever, so your information was outdated.

You can find new local customers near you

A website isn’t just for finding customers across the globe—it’s an essential tool for attracting local customers too. Almost half (46%) of all Google searches are people looking for something right near them. That’s especially true of mobile phone users who might be looking for a store, restaurant, or other service while they’re on-the-go. If you don’t have a website, you’re missing out on an opportunity to catch those visitors when they’re right in your neighborhood. 

Does my business need a website if I’m on social media?

Maybe you already have a Facebook page and some pretty good reviews on social media. Lots of business owners assume that a social media profile for their business is enough. 

But there are some problems with this strategy. First, you’ll always be dependent on the social media platform you choose. Algorithms change, rules change, and what’s working one day might not work a few weeks from now (as many businesses who depended on Facebook have recently learned). 

If you have a website, it belongs to you, and you control the content and the message. Part of the reason you started your own business is so that you don’t have to follow other people’s rules—so why would you just do what a social media platform tells you to? 

Trends change, too. If your customers are on Instagram today, they might be on a new platform tomorrow. As people switch from one tool to the next, your website acts as an anchor. No matter what social media service customers prefer, they can always find your website in the same place, available to everyone. 

Conclusion: every business needs a website

The case for having a website in today’s world is very strong. Almost all the businesses surveyed said they planned to have a website by the end of the year. Are you part of this group? Make it a reality by signing up for a website today, and see how easy it is! 

This is the common query of every second traditional retail business owner- “Why should I have an online presence for my brand?”

If you have successfully set up your offline business, making a good revenue, and maintaining a good brand image in the market, your mind is bound to be hit with such questions.

So, what’s the point of moving online? If you are seeking answers for these sorts of questions, this guide will help you. In this write-up, I have listed seven reasons that will help you understand why your business must have an online presence.

Let’s begin.

1. Expanding Your Business

The primary reason to establish an online presence is it provides you with the opportunity to expand your business. What was earlier limited to a specific location can then be visited by people all over the world. Not only it gives a boost to your business but improves your brand image in the online market.

2. More Customers

For a brick-and-mortar store, the number of customers is limited. More often, you would have only those people visiting your store who live nearby whereas if you take your business online, you can drive customers to your website from any part of the world.

3. 24×7 Availability

At what time do you close your store? 10 pm? 11 pm? And how many days does it remain open? There would surely be a day off which means no customers, no orders on that particular day whereas if you have an online store, timings and day off are no concern at all.

Online stores are open 24×7 for shopping. While you take a peaceful nap on your bed, some customers would be placing their order on your website. This is one of the major advantages of eCommerce over the traditional retail business.

4. Going Online Requires Minimal Cost

Unlike your traditional retail business that would have cost you huge bucks in setting it up, an online website requires a much lower cost in comparison. You do not have to pay heavy monthly rent, no utility expense, or bear other expenses.

When you are just starting your online business, building an eCommerce website will require only a small amount of money. With time as your business grows, you can think of spending more.

Initially, you only require a domain name, a web hosting and a platform where you could build your eCommerce website and these will cost you a few dollars.

5. Enhanced Customer Support

When you take your existing business to an online platform, addressing your customers’ queries can be a challenging task as you will have customers coming from everywhere with lots of doubts in their mind. But this can be solved in many ways.

For example, having product images, product videos and product description can clear customers’ concerns regarding the product quality. You can have a “Frequently Asked Questions” section as well which we call as FAQ page for related concerns. Your return policy is also an important factor when it comes to addressing queries related to returns. Not only it saves you time but also helps customers in their buying decision.

For any other queries, you can have a live chat option on your website alongside a customer support number and en email address if in case they want to reach out to you via call or email, respectively.

Interacting with buyers in a brick-and-mortar store can be time-consuming as well as daunting.

6. Social Media will help you in Brand Awareness

Social media plays a vital role in brand promotion. People of every age are present on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Hence, you can reach out to your target audience and promote your products.

Your potential customers are waiting for you. Turn them into your regular customers before they are taken away by your competitors. Today, social media is arguably the best platform to acquire new clients and customers and boost your business.

Related: Social Media Marketing for eCommerce: Strategies and Best Practices

7. Easy Management

When you have a website for your business, everything can be managed without any hassle in a few clicks. You can customize your website as per your requirements and give it the desired look. You can work on your product pages, checkout, and navigation and make your website as convenient as you can for your visitors.

And most importantly, having an eCommerce website provides you with useful customer data which can use to provide customers with a personalized shopping experience.

Final Thoughts

Today, the focus of the customers has shifted from brick-and-mortar stores to online stores. And there cannot be a better thing if you have both. With millions of people searching for the desired product on the Internet, you should not leave any opportunity to list your business in their search query.

Higher the brand and product visibility, higher the number of customers. And whether you are a small or medium business, having an online presence can add to your brand’s success on a global level. I hope this write-up encouraged you to take your offline business online.