Creating a great website is a very important task for any business. However, for restaurants, it is even more essential.
A restaurant’s website is at the core of branding and marketing for the best possible user experience. It should be user-friendly and visually appealing, but at the same time, you should ensure it provides visitors with all the information they may be searching for. It can also be a great restaurant marketing tool for your overall strategy.
Diners today are visiting websites now more than ever to browse menus, find contact information and directions, order online, learn about company history, look for healthy/environmentally safe options, or simply discover the ambiance of your dining room atmosphere.
In a recent survey by Toast POS, over 80% of diners surveyed said that they “always” or “sometimes” check a restaurant’s website before visiting.
Not only does it represent your restaurant to the online world, but it also serves as your primary interface with guests.
This means that it’s essential to make sure your website design is both user-friendly and visually appealing. To do this, you need to choose the right web designer, whether in-house or outsourced and then work with them to create a website that meets your specific needs and the needs of your guests.
Choosing a Restaurant Website Designer
There are a few key things to keep in mind when choosing a web designer. First, you need to make sure they have a good portfolio of past work. This will give you an idea of their skill level and what kind of designs they’re capable of creating.
Second, you need to make sure they understand your specific needs. Every business is different, so you need to make sure the web designer you choose is willing to work with you to create a custom website that meets those needs.
Finally, you should also make sure they offer good customer service. This way, if you have any questions or problems during the process, you know you can count on them to help you out quickly and competently.
What Should Be Included On Your Restaurant’s Website
Once you’ve chosen a web designer, it’s time to start thinking about what kind of website you want to create. The first step is to come up with a list of features that you want to include on your site. For restaurants, this should include things like:
- All menus
- Online ordering
- Location and contact information
- Photo gallery of both food and atmosphere
- Consistently updated blog
- Social media links and information
- Company history
- Environmental practices
- Healthy dining options and information
Once you have a list of features, you can start thinking about the overall design of your site.
Designing Your Website
Another important thing to remember at this point is that your restaurant branding should be consistent across all guest touch points – your menu design, social media pages, email/SMS messaging, and of course, your website.
There are a few things to keep in mind when designing your website. First, you need to make sure it’s easy to navigate. Guests should be able to find what they’re looking for without any trouble.
Second, you need to make sure the design is visually appealing. This means using colors and images that are pleasing to the eye and follow your company branding.
Finally, you need to make sure the content on your site is relevant and interesting. If visitors can’t find what they’re looking for, they’re not likely to stick around for very long.
Once you have a basic design in place, you can start thinking about ways to improve it. One way to do this is to add some interactivity to your site. This can be anything from a simple contact form to a more complex system that allows customers to book appointments or make reservations.
Another way to improve your website design is to add some multimedia content. This could include anything from video testimonials to audio clips of your staff talking about their experience with your business.
By adding this type of content, you’ll not only make your site more interesting, but you’ll also give visitors another reason to come back.
Great Website Examples for Your Inspiration
We’ve scoured the internet to find some great examples of restaurant websites. Here are a few that stand out.
#1. The Smoke Haus
The Smoke Haus serves delicious American barbecue in Southern Wales. Their website is very pleasing to the eye and well laid out, offering a great experience for visitors.
The colors match the ambiance of the restaurant’s physical locations while branding is consistent across other channels. There is easy access to menus, directions, business hours, social media channels, and a story of their history, along with a convenient online reservation system. There is even an online jukebox link to control what music is playing at the locations.
#2. Miss Lily’s
Miss Lily’s, located in New York City, Dubai, and Jamaica, is a Caribbean-themed restaurant through and through – and their website definitely portrays their brand identity. The layout is clean and easy to navigate, and the images of their unique food and atmosphere are outstanding.
The website has an easy-to-use reservation system and delivery platform. Likewise, menus show appetizing images of each dish. Email newsletter signup, social media links, and contact information is at the bottom of every page.
#3. Between the Bread
Between the Bread has three locations in New York City, offering flavorful, wholesome, and fresh seasonal meals in store, and bringing the very same food to offices and homes through catering.
Their website has a fresh, casual look which is how they brand their food and service. Menus and Catering options are provided, along with an online ordering system. Branding is carried out perfectly throughout all social channels, which are at the bottom of every page with blog, email signup, and contact/call links.
#4. Ella’s Table
Ella’s Table offers a great example of a restaurant website using only a single page – it is part of the Inn at Carnall Hall website. Showcasing beautiful imagery and video, the exquisite guest experience is conveyed throughout the page.
You’ll find contact information, hours of operation, their menu, catering information, and an email signup form, all placed perfectly in an easy-to-understand layout. There is also a convenient online reservation system for guests to book reservations in advance.
#5. Panera Bread
Panera Bread is a great example of laying out a design with almost everything a guest would want to see on a home page. You’ll find (from top to bottom) loyalty program information, gift cards, a menu containing menus and online ordering links, pickup and delivery services, high def imagery of their food and drinks, catering information, and social media links.
The website is perfectly branded to Panera’s popular brand identity and is easy for users to navigate and understand.
#6. El Catrin
A great restaurant website does not have to use an intricate theme. El Catrin is an example of a great website design that is minimal, yet provides what its guests are looking for.
Branding is consistent and uses many images of the restaurant’s dining room and food & drink. You’ll find menus, a photo gallery, and links to their frequently updated blogs. Online ordering and reservation links are found at the top of every page.
#7. Protein Bar and Kitchen
Protein Bar and Kitchen has done a great job bringing their multi-unit chain into one single website. Visitors can see the menu, hours, directions, and contact information for each location in the easy-to-use store locator. A great design for multi-unit operators who do not wish to have a separate website for each location.
Online ordering for pickup and delivery is found on every page along with loyalty program and newsletter signups.
#7. Bluecoast Rehoboth
This is a great example of how to use imagery to show guests what their experience will be and how great your food & drink will be. Creating excitement through images is what Bluecoast Rehoboth is all about.
Complete with menus, online ordering, catering, and gift card options, this website is sure to leave its visitors wanting more.
Discover Bloom Intelligence
No matter how you decide to create your website, it’s essential to use elements that will give your guests (and potential guests) a taste of what they will experience should they choose your restaurant for dine-in or takeout service.
As seen in most of the examples above, offering easy access to your menus, online ordering, high def imagery, online reservations, and gift card purchasing can create a sense of excitement to not only find new guests but to keep your current guests coming back again and again.
Learn how Bloom Intelligence can help you increase your restaurant revenue, improve ratings and guest lifetime values, automate marketing tasks, and much more – all while saving your time and money.
Discover Bloom Intelligence, your guests will love you for it.
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