How does your website stack up?
You probably know that as a cafe owner, your website serves as an important digital storefront and communication channel between your cafe and your customers. Taking bookings, answering FAQs about location and opening times, and giving your potential customers a feel for what you're offering. Having a well-designed and functional website is crucial for attracting and retaining customers.
So, we decided to speak to a pro about web design for cafes and restaurants, and share it here, with you.
Josh Cohen is the founder of the award winning Squarely Web Design, and, aside from being a pretty solid home chef to his family, and a fan of 80's hip-hop, he's also been creating eye-catching, traffic attracting websites for clients for 20 years. Let's say he knows what he's talking about when it comes to design, and websites.
Straight from the horse's mouth, we asked him to give us a top 10 of the must haves for your website. Read on;
Clear and attractive visual design: A visually appealing website with high-quality images of the cafe/restaurant, its menu items, and ambiance can create a positive impression and entice visitors to explore further.
Mobile responsiveness: With an increasing number of people using mobile devices to browse the web, it's crucial for the cafe/restaurant's website to be mobile-friendly and responsive, ensuring that it displays correctly on various devices and screen sizes.
Menu and pricing information: The website should feature a clear and updated menu with detailed descriptions of the dishes, along with pricing information. This helps potential customers get a sense of what the cafe/restaurant has to offer and plan their visit accordingly.
Online reservations or booking system: An online reservation or booking system that allows visitors to book a table or place an order for pickup or delivery can greatly enhance the user experience and convenience of the website.
Contact information and location: Displaying the cafe/restaurant's contact information, including phone number, email address, and physical address with an embedded map, makes it easy for visitors to get in touch or find the location.
About Us/Story: A section that provides information about the cafe/restaurant's history, mission, vision, and team can help create a connection with potential customers and showcase the unique aspects of the establishment.
Customer reviews and testimonials: Including customer reviews, testimonials, or ratings can add social proof and build trust, encouraging visitors to choose the cafe/restaurant for their dining needs.
Special promotions and events: Highlighting special promotions, events, or seasonal offers can create a sense of urgency and encourage visitors to take action, such as making a reservation or placing an order.
Social media integration: Integrating social media icons and links to the cafe/restaurant's social media profiles can help visitors connect and engage with the establishment on various social media platforms, creating a sense of community.
Accessibility and privacy policy: Ensuring that the website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, by adhering to web accessibility guidelines, and displaying a privacy policy that outlines how customer information is collected and used can build trust and credibility.
Your cafe website is a valuable tool for attracting and retaining customers. By following these best practices, you can create a website that's user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimised for the digital age. Huge thanks to Josh and his team for taking the time to speak with us too.