A website for a restaurant or hospitality venue is not a brochure: it is a tool to help someone decide to visit you and make a booking. They will almost always be on a mobile, in a hurry and comparing other options. Here is what it needs.
1. The Essentials at a Glance
Visitors want to find out four things within seconds:
- What kind of business you are and what you offer.
- Where you are and how to get there.
- When you are open.
- How to book.
If people have to search for any of these, you will lose visitors.
2. Designed for Mobile First
Check your website on a phone: text should be readable without zooming, buttons easy to tap and menus simple. What looks good on a computer does not always work on a mobile.
3. Easy Booking
- A visible booking button on every page.
- Just a few steps to complete the request.
- An alternative for anyone who prefers to call or message on WhatsApp.
4. Menu and Prices as Text
Publishing your menu as text on the website helps people decide and helps search engines understand what you offer. A PDF can be an extra option, but should not be the only one.
5. Real Photos and Videos
Well-made images of your venue, team and food or events are worth more than any generic photo. They can be large files: optimise them so they do not slow down your website.
6. Speed
A slow website loses visitors, especially on mobile. Properly sized images, few scripts and good hosting make a difference.
7. Languages
In an area with many international customers, providing key information in English (and other languages if needed) broadens your reach.
8. Basic Local SEO
- A clear title and description for every page.
- Your name, address and phone number visible and consistent with your Google profile.
- An FAQ section with honest answers.
- A link to your reviews and Google profile.
9. Remember the Legal Details
A legal notice, privacy policy and cookie policy, with your actual details. If you use analytics or advertising, make sure the cookie notice works properly.
10. Measurement
Set up what you want to measure: clicks to book, calls and submitted forms. This tells you where bookings come from and what to improve.
Common Mistakes
- Outdated information (opening hours, menu and events).
- Booking buttons or links that do not work.
- Huge images that slow down the website.
- Copy that does not say where you are or what you offer.
- Not testing the website on an actual mobile phone.
At Flow Agency, we have built websites for restaurants and hospitality venues such as Naô Pool Club and Grupo La Habana’s venues. You can see them in our projects, or explore our web design and development service.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a website if I already have Instagram?
Yes. Instagram is a shop window, but your website belongs to you: it appears on Google, brings the important information together and allows bookings without depending on a platform.
What matters most on a restaurant website?
Making the key information (opening hours, location, menu and how to book) visible within seconds on a mobile.
Should I have a PDF menu?
It is better to put it on the website itself as text, because it is easier to read on a mobile and search engines can understand it. A PDF can be an extra option.
How often should I update it?
Whenever opening hours, the menu, events or rules change. An outdated website undermines trust.
