Before booking, most customers look up the restaurant on Google and check the menu, the photos and the reviews. A clear, fast website can make the difference between a full table and an empty one.
Here are the essential pages and elements, and the most common mistakes.
A menu that reads well on a phone
It is the most visited page. It should be a real web page, with dishes and prices as text, not just a PDF file or a photo of the menu: these formats are hard to read on a phone and Google makes less use of them than of a web page.
Show vegetarian options and the main allergens, and remember to update the menu when it changes.
Booking in one click
A booking button visible on every page, opening an online booking module or, failing that, starting a phone call. The more steps there are, the more customers you lose.
If you offer takeaway or click and collect, make it as visible as booking.
Practical information
Address with a map, up-to-date opening hours (including exceptional closures), a tappable phone number, public transport and parking. This information must be identical on your website, your Google profile and booking platforms, or customers and Google will get confused.
Photos and atmosphere
Good photos of the dishes, the dining room and the team make people want to come and reassure them. They should be lightweight so the website stays fast on mobile.
A short presentation of your story, your chef or your producers creates a connection that platforms cannot offer.
Customer reviews
Show your best reviews and invite happy customers to leave one on your Google profile. Reviews weigh heavily in choosing a restaurant and in Google Maps rankings. Reply to negative reviews too, politely: it is often what future customers look at.
Being found on Google
Customers search for "Italian restaurant + neighbourhood" or "brunch + town". Your website should clearly mention your type of cuisine and your neighbourhood, and your Google Business Profile should be complete.
A restaurant website does not need to be big: a few well-made pages are enough. Our showcase websites start at €890, and we support restaurant owners with online booking, menus and local visibility.