When I talk with restaurant owners about their restaurant website design, I often hear things like, “Our customers find us on Instagram,” or “We just use delivery apps for orders,” so they don’t worry about their website.
But here’s the thing — your website is still your digital front door. And for many guests, it’s the first (and sometimes only) impression they’ll have of your brand.
Today’s diners expect more than just information. They want to take action. If your website doesn’t make it quick and easy to book a table, order takeout, or find your hours, they’ll move on to a website that does.
After years of helping restaurants refine their online presence, I’ve seen the same pitfalls again and again. Below are some of the most common mistakes that quietly cost restaurant customers, and how to fix them.
Nothing drives potential guests away faster than clicking on a “Menu” tab that’s blank, broken, or outdated. If I can’t see what you serve, or if I show up and find that your online menu doesn’t match reality, you’ve lost my trust before I even sit down.
Updating your menu should be a weekly habit, not a quarterly chore. Guests rely on your site for accurate information. A simple update can mean the difference between a reservation and a missed opportunity.
If your site doesn’t work seamlessly on a phone, it’s essentially a closed door. Most users check restaurant websites from their mobile devices, and if the text doesn’t resize, buttons are too small, or pages take forever to load, they’re gone.
A mobile-friendly restaurant website design isn’t optional, it’s non-negotiable. Test your site on multiple devices and browsers to make sure it’s as smooth to navigate on a phone as it is on a desktop. It’s as simple as going to your restaurant’s URL on your phone and poking around.
There are platforms that help build mobile-first or mobile-optimized sites, like Owner, Sociavore, and Flavor Plate, that take the guesswork off your shoulders.
You’d be surprised how many restaurant sites bury their calls-to-action (those buttons that read “Reserve” or “Order Online”). Guests shouldn’t have to hunt for them — they should be impossible to miss.
Every page should make it easy for guests to take the next step, whether that’s to book, order, buy a gift card, or sign up for updates. A strong restaurant website builder will let you integrate those features directly, minimizing friction and maximizing conversions.
A slow website feels like a slow kitchen, and neither leaves a good impression. Broken links, outdated images, or clunky load times make even great restaurants seem careless.
It’s worth running regular checks using free tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify performance issues. Often, compressing images or updating plugins can make a noticeable difference in speed.
Even if you figure out how to run the checks, you might not know what to do with the results, and that’s okay. You can ask your web person for help, or use a website management platform that handles these optimizations for you.
Photography is your first impression. Low-quality or outdated photos tell guests you’re not paying attention to detail. And that can make them question the quality of your food and service.
You don’t need a professional shoot every month, but you do need clear, current images that reflect your actual dining experience. Ask a staff member with a good eye for photos to help, and get feedback from coworkers (especially your younger coworkers) before posting anything.
This one’s simple but critical — your hours, location, and contact details must always be accurate. Few things frustrate diners more than showing up during “open” hours only to find locked doors.
If you change hours, launch a new menu, or close for a holiday, update your website immediately. Think of it as part of your daily operations, not an afterthought.
Your website shouldn’t just inform, it should convert. Integrating online tools for ordering, reservations, or gift card sales directly drives revenue and creates a seamless experience for guests.
If you’re not sure how to make a restaurant website that connects with your POS (point of sale) or reservation system, start with a restaurant website builder that supports those integrations out of the box. You’ll save time and money while providing a better guest experience.
It’s tempting to go big with animations, music, or flashy effects. But most guests don’t want to be impressed, they want to be informed. Clean, functional restaurant website design almost always outperforms complicated layouts.
If you only have the bandwidth to tackle the essentials, start here:
A simple, well-maintained website builds far more trust than an ambitious but outdated one.
Many restaurants invest heavily in their social media presence — gorgeous Instagram feeds, clever TikToks, and strong brand voice — but their website doesn’t match the same tone or quality. That disconnect confuses customers and weakens your brand.
Your website should feel like a natural extension of your social media. If your online vibe is modern and playful, your website should reflect that energy.
Your website isn’t separate from your hospitality, it’s an extension of it. Every second a guest spends on your website shapes their impression of your restaurant.
A fast, functional, and friendly website tells guests you value their time. And when you get it right, your digital experience becomes the start of a memorable in-person one.
A strong restaurant website design doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be intentional. Whether you build from scratch or use a restaurant website builder, the goal is the same — make it effortless for guests to engage with your brand.
If you’re not sure how to make a restaurant website that works, start small. Prioritize accurate info, simple navigation, and mobile optimization. Get those right, and you’ll already be ahead of most competitors.
If you want inspiration, take a look at a few restaurants that are really getting it right, like Folk and Rolf and Daughters. Both have clean, modern designs that reflect their brand perfectly while making it easy for guests to find what they need.
Because in today’s restaurant landscape, your website isn’t just a menu. It’s your front-of-house team, your marketer, and often your first impression. Make it count.
Ready to take the guesswork out of your restaurant website? To talk to me or another Back of House expert, schedule a consultation today and we’ll make sure your site not only looks great but also turns visitors into loyal customers.