As with everything else, a good restaurant website design is about striking a balance. Mouthwatering visuals won’t take you very far if visitors don’t find the information they’re looking for.
On the other hand, people might not even read the information if you don’t present it nicely. That means you can’t do without a proper online presence.
This article will show you how to make a website that entices customers and lets them navigate easily. Additionally, you’ll learn whether it is better to do it yourself or outsource it. Let’s start.
Why a Cool Restaurant Website Design Matters
With a new restaurant popping up around every corner, a cool restaurant website design can help you stand out. That’s because such a design is good to look at and solves people’s problems.
They’ll find the answers to all their questions about your restaurant. Imagine the impression that will make, especially if it’s their first time visiting.
Moreover, if people have to figure out where to go next, it will frustrate them, and they might click off. However, a good website design is easy to navigate and guides customers through every step of the visit.
Additionally, an intuitive website is part of the SEO optimizations for restaurants. These aspects will help you appear at the top of search results when potential customers search for restaurants like yours. However, reviews are crucial for your ranking. Hence, you should learn how to get reviews on Google.
Your website should also include a relatable brand story with mouthwatering visuals to help build this trust. We will talk about that later in the article. Now, let’s talk outsourcing.
Designing a Website: DIY vs. Outsourcing
Now that you know the importance of a good website design, there are two ways to go about this process. You can either do it yourself or outsource it to a design agency. But to make a decision, you must know the pros and cons of each.
Starting with DIY design, you can expect to save a substantial sum of money. Although, you might have to pay for a subscription to the builder or the template you edit. Besides, experts make these templates, so there’s no doubt that your website will look good.
Moreover, you’ll have more control over the design. So, you can make changes anytime you want without relying on the designer.
However, there’s a steep learning curve here, especially if you don’t have an eye for design. Choosing a standard template might also make your restaurant website look like everyone else’s.
On the other hand, you’ll have expert guidance from the company if you choose to outsource the design. It will look more professional and possibly include restaurant SEO optimization. This way, you can focus on other aspects of the business that need your attention.
But it might take longer, and you can expect to spend at least $1000. Additionally, the agency might take ownership of the changes, so you’ll have less control.
Design Restaurant Website: How To Get Started
If you want to save money and have decided to design a restaurant website yourself, you must follow some steps. But the good news is you can pull it off even if you don’t have any coding knowledge. So, here’s what you need to do.
- Choose a platform: Even if you don’t have to program, someone has to, right? Website builders like Squarespace offer drag-and-drop options to customize templates or create one from scratch. But they’re not always free, so make a wise decision.
- Inspire your creativity: Designing a website starts with gathering inspiration. Look at other websites and see how they’re presenting themselves. Building on that, plan your own design.
- Choose a template: The next step is to choose restaurant website templates for your design. Almost all platforms offer free ones, but you might have to invest some money for the more unique options. Ensure it has all the basic features like a gallery, contact section, splash pages, etc. It should also have some add-ons, like a blog section.
- Edit the template: Using a template doesn’t mean you can’t add your restaurant’s touch. You should edit it to add your branding elements and make it recognizable to existing patrons.
- Make it mobile-friendly: Website design for restaurants should consider mobile users. These are the devices that people frequently use, so optimize your website for mobile.
Factors for Choosing a Restaurant Website Design Company
Outsourcing the work to an agency comes with some responsibilities as well. You don’t want to choose the wrong company since you’ll have to redo it yourself or hire someone else.
So, firstly, the one you choose must be a restaurant website design company. This means they should have experience in your industry to give you the best advice. To determine this, look at their portfolio. If they do have many restaurant websites on there, it’s a good sign.
Moreover, they should be willing to listen to you and solve specific problems. Choose one that offers post-design support and customization since you’ll have to add or edit content later.
4 Elements That Make the Best Restaurant Website Design
If you’re still unsure about restaurant websites, here’s a fact that might change your mind. Before choosing a restaurant, 77% of people check its website.
When they do so, your website becomes your digital storefront. It determines how people will perceive your brand. If the website doesn’t look professional, people might think your restaurant isn’t good enough.
Here are the four things that will help you avoid this and create the best restaurant website design.
Every restaurant website should first include complete information about the business. This includes operating hours, addresses, locations, contact numbers, etc. These should be on the homepage and in the footer.
Moreover, create a simple yet unique navigation menu so people don’t have to think about where to go. They should be able to find everything on this menu easily.
Investing some time in designing your food menu and including it as a picture is also a good idea. You can also make it downloadable and reuse it with QRcode marketing in your venue.
2. Mouthwatering Visuals and Descriptions
When people visit a restaurant’s website, they expect to see pictures of the food. The presentation helps them judge the quality of your dishes, so you should help them with this process.
Start by including a gallery section and displaying all of your dishes there. Plus, words can create a picture in the reader’s mind. So, use them to create enticing descriptions of your dishes to go with the photos.
Think of yourself as a server guiding a customer through the menu when they’re inside your venue. This will help you come up with words that sell.
3. Online Ordering and Reservation Options
Another thing you should include in your restaurant’s website is online ordering and reservation. After all, 70% of your visitors expect this from you. A free restaurant reservation system can be useful for getting started.
However, you have to make it easy for your customers. Don’t ask them to fill in lengthy forms. Moreover, add an option to order as a guest since some people don’t like creating accounts.
If you want to make the most of your online ordering system, create loyalty programs. For example, you could give free shipping to loyal customers or people with an order value of more than a set amount.
The same goes for restaurant reservations. Give early reservations to your most loyal customers and add value to their dining experience.
Lastly, accompany these things with attractive ads. If you’ve launched special deals, display them on these pages to increase your order value.
4. Fresh and Quality Content
A good restaurant website design is incomplete without quality content. People want to feel a unique connection with the brands they invest in.
Visuals alone are not enough to create this connection.
You have to upload fresh and quality content on your website for this. Aim to always remain on top of your customers’ minds.
The best way to do this is to create a blog section. Here, you can upload recipes, behind-the-kitchen scenes, and cooking tips.
Lastly, create a brand story that people can relate to. And don’t forget to add your branding elements to the website to spread brand awareness.
A Good Restaurant Website Design Can Increase Your Customer Base
Overall, a good restaurant website design brings you unmatched benefits. It’s your first chance to make an impression and get more customers. Appearing on Google also becomes easy.
After you sort out your website, leverage the benefits of the free WiFi you offer your customers. With Beambox, you can collect customer data and build a splash page to reinforce your branding. Additionally, you’ll be able to manage access to your WiFi with a personalized captive portal.
Over 12,000 businesses use Beambox to get the most out of their WiFi. Do you want to be next? Start your trial now!
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