7 Mistakes Restaurants Make on Their Website

Your restaurant's website is often the first impression potential guests have of your business. Yet many restaurant owners unknowingly make critical mistakes that drive customers away. These errors don't just hurt your online presence but cost you real reservations and revenue.

Let's explore the 7 most common restaurant website mistakes and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: PDF Menus

The problem: PDFs take forever to load on mobile devices and frustrate visitors. Google can't read the text inside PDFs, which means your menu won't appear in search results. Guests often abandon your site and order from competitors with easy-to-read menus instead.

The solution: Use a digital, text-based menu directly on your website. Make sure it's mobile-friendly and easy to update. This allows search engines to index your dishes and helps customers quickly find what they're looking for. If you offer online ordering, integrate your menu into the ordering system for a seamless experience.

Mistake 2: No Clear Booking Button

The problem: When guests have to hunt for how to make a reservation, they'll likely give up and choose a competitor. A hidden or unclear booking option creates unnecessary friction in the customer journey.

The solution: Place a prominent "Book Now" or "Reserve a Table" button in your website's header and throughout key pages. Use contrasting colors that stand out and make it visible on both desktop and mobile devices. The easier you make it to book, the more reservations you'll receive. Consider implementing an online reservation system that integrates seamlessly with your website.

Mistake 3: Slow Loading Times

The problem: If your website takes more than 3 seconds to load, most visitors will leave before seeing your content. Slow sites frustrate potential customers and hurt your Google rankings since page speed is a critical SEO factor.

The solution: Optimize your images by compressing them without losing quality. Use modern image formats like WebP and implement lazy loading. Choose reliable, fast hosting and minimize the use of heavy plugins or scripts. Regularly test your site speed with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify areas for improvement. Custom-built websites often perform significantly better than template-based solutions.

Mistake 4: Not Mobile-Friendly

The problem: Over 60% of restaurant searches happen on mobile devices. If your website doesn't work properly on smartphones, you're losing more than half of your potential customers. Tiny text, buttons that don't work, and awkward layouts drive mobile users away.

The solution: Use a responsive website design that automatically adapts to any screen size. Test your site on different devices to ensure menus, buttons, and images display correctly. Make sure phone numbers are clickable so mobile users can call you with one tap. This is one key advantage of professionally designed restaurant websites over DIY builders.

Mistake 5: Missing or Outdated Information

The problem: Nothing frustrates customers more than finding incorrect hours, old menu prices, or outdated contact information. This damages trust and can result in negative reviews when guests show up to find you're closed or menu items aren't available.

The solution: Keep your website updated with current hours, especially during holidays. Update menu prices and seasonal offerings regularly. Display accurate contact information and location details. Set a monthly reminder to review and refresh your website content.

Mistake 6: No Local SEO Optimization

The problem: When someone searches "best restaurant near me" or "Italian food in [your city]," your restaurant won't appear if you haven't optimized for local searches. You're invisible to hungry customers in your area who are ready to dine.

The solution: Include location-specific keywords throughout your website naturally. Set up and optimize your Google Business Profile with accurate information, photos, and regular posts. Add your location to page titles and meta descriptions. Ensure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online directories and listings.

Mistake 7: Sending Customers to Third-Party Platforms

The problem: When your "Order Online" button redirects to DoorDash or Uber Eats, you lose direct customer relationships and pay up to 30% commission on every order. Google also notices visitors immediately leaving your site, which signals poor user experience and hurts your rankings.

The solution: Implement your own online ordering system directly on your website. This keeps customers on your domain, builds your email list, and saves you commission fees. If you must use third-party platforms, offer incentives for ordering directly from your site, such as loyalty points or exclusive discounts.

Transform Your Restaurant Website Today

Avoiding these 7 common mistakes will help your restaurant website attract more customers, increase reservations, and boost online orders. Start by tackling one or two issues this week and gradually improve your site's performance.

Remember, your website works for you 24/7. Investing time in fixing these problems pays off with more traffic, better customer experiences, and increased revenue.

Need help creating a professional restaurant website that converts visitors into customers? HakmanDev specializes in building high-performance websites for restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses across Europe. Contact us to discuss how we can help your business grow online.