Launching a new restaurant business can be quite frustrating and in fact it can present many challenges. There are a number of things to consider; everything from the menu you’ll feature, your staff, how to secure funding, the décor, location and much more.
Though all this is important, there’s one thing many persons seem to forget. Can you guess thwat that is?
The website!
Having a web presence in 2022 is so important for the restaurant business. Many diners tend to search Google first when looking for a place to eat. It’s very likely that a lot of your competitors already have their own and so it’s important that you get yours up as well.
Here’s a few reasons why:
a) A Website Let’s Customers Know About Your Business
Well, you might have figured this one out. By letting customers know your restaurant exists you’re likely to attract a crowd. You’ll be able to show off your kitchen, the ambiance and even the menu (with hopefully delicious tasting meals).
A online menu is one thing we’ve found customers try to find when they visit a restaurant they’re interested in.
b) A Website is the First Step to Good Customer Service
Let’s face it, running a restaurant can be a challenge. As a business owner, it’ll be important for you to introduce the “awesomeness” of your establishment before a customer even sets foot through those doors.
You can do that by building a premium-type restaurant website. While some restaurants tend to go for a flashy look, others prefer a clean, modern and sleek design. The option you choose however is completely up to you.
c) A Great Way to Get In Touch
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to make a reservation and not being able to. A website solves that issue by providing reservation forms, contact numbers and even a much-needed connection to your social media platforms (Instagram and TikTok are a must these days by the way!)
How to Create Your Very Own Restaurant Website
Crafting a site can be a daunting task as there are so many factors to keep in mind. The most important thing when getting started however is to develop a plan.
What is it that you’d like to achieve?
Some restaurants need a simple design which gives an overview of the business, provides a contact option and possibly displays the menu to visitors. On the other hand, other businesses might instead require their website to allow customers to place orders. Understanding who your audience is and what they may benefit from is a great way to know which option would work best for you.
Website Platform
Now that you know what you’re looking for, the next thing to think about is hiring a web designer or building the site yourself.
These days there are are many options available to business owners with little website technical skills. Sites like Wix and Squarespace allow you to build sites using drag-and-drop technology which is a huge plus for newbies.
On the other hand, more powerful platforms such as WordPress allows you (or your developer) to create something with many features (through the use of what we call plugins).
If you choose to hire someone, we recommend our in house team or the the Peak Web Design Studio developers.
Analyse Your Competition
What are your competitors doing? One of the best ways to create an amazing platform is to look at other businesses in the same space. Take notes on the look and design of their site, the features, menu layout and start thinking about what you love and hate. Doing this alone can help you to create a end-product you’ll absolutely fall in love with.
Understand Your Potential Diners
As previously highlighted, knowing who your customers are is one of the most important key steps to building a website. As in marketing, demographics is important. If your restaurant serves budget-friendly meals then you may choose to stay away from using super luxurious fonts on your website.
Your competitors play an important role in this case as well. You can find sites that offer similar menus as your business and create a site that mimics some of their designs.
Let’s Conclude
While launching a business has its own hurdles to overcome, getting a website online and getting it right is important as well. We hope these tips can help to guide you in the right direction.