We’ve been looking at different restaurant website designs to get ideas on the latest trends and designs. One thing is for sure, most restaurant websites lack consistency on the main focus of the website, getting customers to their establishment.
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Here are a 10 things a restaurant website should include on their site:
1. A clear address and contact information – Phone Number and Address should be prominent. Google Maps should be a given!
2. Food Pictures – a restaurant website should entice the consumer with their food, the better the photography, the better the response
3. Contact Us Page – as a former restaurant manager, I always welcome feedback from my guests. The website should have an easy contact form and room for comments.
4. Updated restaurant menus – there’s nothing worst than looking at a restaurant website with outdated menus. Oh yah, pricing should be on the menu. Don’t forget Kids Menus!
5. Hours of Operation – you’d be surprised to see how many restaurant omit this very important information. There’s nothing worst than going to a Los Gatos restaurant for lunch on a Monday just to see that they’re closed on Sundays and Mondays.
6. Payment Methods – Cash only is a killer, but just post it somewhere on the web site the you don’t take plastics
7. Staff/Management and Chef profiles – Show us who’s running the place and more importantly, who’s cooking!
8. Specials and Happy Hour – most restaurateurs forget how important it is to generate dinner business from happy hour. Did you know that over 50% of Happy Hour goers end up staying for dinner?
9. Outdoor and Patio Dining – if you have nice outdoor patio dining, you should boast about it.
10. Reservations online – I hope more and more restaurants are using Open Table, it’s a great way to make reservations effectively and accurately.
Focus on customers and showcase your restaurant, the website can do all this if it’s done right.
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