Is the Internet a Puzzle to You?

1. Location Info and Map

2. Contact Info

Must have your telephone number and contact us link every page of your website. Make it incredibly easy for your website visitors to contact you.

3. Photographs of the Establishment

Hire a professional photographer when you're busy and get a ton of great photographs. Place those photographs all over your website. Part of dining is the environment and atmosphere. Show off your establishment on your website.

4. Menus

Publishing up-to-date menus is a no-brainer. Every restaurant should have up-to-date menus on its website. It's critical it be up-to-date. The last thing a restaurant needs is telling guests "oh, that menu has changed and it's not right on the website." That's unprofessional and won't sit well with a guest.

And while you're at it, set out the nutritional value of the dishes. Many diners are interested in nutritional content.

This includes beverage menu: beverages, wine, beer, and liquor.

5. Event Calendar

If you have events such as live music or special dinners, put up an event calendar on your website.

6. Chef / Owner Bios

Feature in a bio your restaurant's key players. Whether chef, owner, or both. If you have a general manager, consider having a bio of your GM. Spend some time writing up the bios. Perhaps hire a professional writer. In fact you might wish to hire a professional writer for all of your website's content (or at least the key pages).

7. Restaurant History

Include in your About Us page a brief history of your restaurant. Some restaurants have a fascinating history. Something interesting just might persuade someone to try your establishment.

8. Awards & Reviews

Publish your list of awards and reviews.

9. Careers / Jobs Available

Make it easy for people to apply to your restaurant. Regrettably, many restaurants have high turnover and are frequently hiring. The more applications you receive, the more hiring options you have.

10. A Blog

It entertains, and is good for Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

11. On-Site Local SEO

Take advantage of every page and blog post by optimizing your content for the search engines. It's not hard to do. The more content you have (hence the importance of a blog), the more opportunities you have to rank for various search terms (called keywords) in the search engines.

Your goal is to rank well in your local geographic area - town or city.

There's a huge opportunity for your restaurant to rank high in local search by utilizing content about your restaurant and its events. You need only rank well for your local geographic area.

Optional Restaurant Website Ideas

12. Online Reservation Maker

If you take reservations, it's an advantage to book reservations online thus freeing up your staffs time.

13. Takeout Ordering Online

If you sell take out it's no trouble to include this feature on your website. Same principal as online reservations, you save your staff time processing orders and make it easy for website visitors to order a meal.

You could even process payment online and make it easier for guests to pick up food.

14. Pre-Ordering Service

Often guests are in a rush and giving them the opportunity to preorder will enhance your customer service image.

15. Notable Guests

Always include references to notable guests - pictures, testimonials, etc. all enhance your image in the community.

16. Offer Gift Cards For Sale

Gift cards are money in the bank. Selling them online contributes to your cash flow and bottom line.

There's no need for a restaurant website to be a clone of other restaurant websites. Creativity will always generate interest in your website and assure more loyal customers. Get creative with what you can put on your site and in your blog posts.