How to make a website for a restaurant for free in 2023

In the realm of the digital world, it's more important than ever for any business to have a strong online presence. A well-designed website can help you to attract new customers, showcase your products, and build relationships with your existing customers.

But what if you don't have a lot of money to spend on a website? Or what if you don't have any technical skills?

The good news is that there are several ways to create a website for your restaurant for free. In this article, we'll show you how to create a beautiful and functional website for your restaurant using a variety of free tools and resources.

Why do restaurants need a website?

Multiple reasons that can help you understand why your restaurant business requires a website in the digital world. The core reason behind having the website is to grab the attention and attract new customers without much effort. In recent, people generally search on Google for a restaurant if they have to eat. If you are not there, then you will miss the opportunity of getting those customers.

The second reason is - it helps you showcase your menu, any current special items, or moments with your targeted audience. Appealing and attractive menu and recipe representation increase the desire in the mind of the consumer.

Additionally, websites give you a platform through which you can strengthen your relationship with your customers by engaging with them. With the help of a website, you can share news about your restaurant, announce upcoming events, and offer exclusive discounts to your loyal customers.

How to make a website for a restaurant for free

Select the domain for your restaurant

Buying the domain is the crucial step of your website development journey. Because it would be the main identity of your brand in front of your targeted audience.

Here are a few tips for picking a restaurant domain name.

• Keep it short and easy to remember and type.

• Craft it around your restaurant’s name for easier branding.

• Add something like the location (“NYC”) or type of food (“coffee”) If your restaurant’s name is taken.

• Consider using a top-level domain name like .kitchen or .eat.

• Avoid words that customers can misspell or characters like hyphens except as a last option.

Pick a hosting and platform

You can avoid coding a website from scratch. Many platforms exist that will let you build a restaurant website with minimal code experience. And the result will still look as professional as something built by a graphic designer and development team.

If you are using WordPress as a platform then you will have more benefits in terms of functionalities and SEO. In WordPress, there is a pre-built Restaurant WordPress theme that you can use for your restaurant website. You just need to install the site, make a little modification according to your business and you are done.

Pre-built Theme for your website - Divi Restaurant Theme

Best platforms for the free website building

• Wix – Wix offers a drag-and-drop site builder with hundreds of free, customizable templates. Wix also provides web hosting and domain names (free and paid).

• Weebly - Weebly creates beautiful websites from pre-built templates and drag-and-drop elements. It also helps with buying a domain name.

• WordPress – More than 40% of all websites are made with WordPress. It has features similar to the others and uses templates and drag-and-drop elements to create websites.

Design an appealing website to showcase your restaurant

After having the platform, it's time to give shape to your website and make it appealing to customers. if you are selecting a WordPress then there are plenty of pre-made templates and themes available to use in a free version.

Research. Study restaurant website design, especially famous designs in your industry your competitors use.

Design around your customers’ expectations. If you run a high-end restaurant that serves steak and wine, an elegant or glamorous design would be appropriate. But a family restaurant may do well with a simple and friendly design.

On that note, make sure your website is responsive on all screen sizes. Optimize it to load faster on slow internet. Many people search for nearby restaurants while out and about on their smartphones. Capture their attention by offering a fast and sound user experience.

For the best user experience, make your physical location, opening/closing hours, and contact or booking info immediately accessible.

Start building webpages

It's a moment to create essential pages on your website. While building these pages make sure that all the pages are well-written while considering your target audience in the mind.

Must have a page on your website

• Attractive landing page

• Reservation

• About us

• Menu

• Contact us

• Gallery

Create your Menu

The online menu is possibly the most important part of your restaurant web design.

Show off your dishes in galleries with high-quality photography and mouth-watering descriptions. This isn’t just a simple list of menu items but a selling point for your restaurant. Use it to draw in website visitors and get them walking through your door.

But don’t leave out the important information. Make sure to include ingredients, dish options, and potential allergens.

Final Thoughts

Maintain your website regularly and keep it updated. Your menu and newly added recipes should be there on the website for customers.

And, use your customer details like mail and other shared information wisely. You can utilize this data to keep your customers engaged.