Your Free Website Assessment

The Restaurant Website Quick Audit: 7 Key Areas to Check Now

Use this simple checklist. Answer honestly – it could reveal valuable insights!

☐ 1. Mobile-Friendliness: Is your website easy to use on phones and tablets?

  • Why it matters: A huge percentage of users search for local restaurants on their phones. If your site isn't mobile-friendly, you're losing a significant chunk of potential customers.

  • Check:

    • ☐ Does the layout adjust smoothly to different screen sizes?

    • ☐ Is the navigation clear and easy to use on a small screen?

    • ☐ Does your site load quickly on your phone (aim for under a few seconds)?

    • ☐ Can you view the entire page without having to scroll horizontally?

    • ☐ Are buttons and links easy to tap with a finger?

  • Actionable Tip: Open your website on your smartphone and tablet. Can you easily find what you're looking for?

    Online Ordering/Reservation Clarity: Is it obvious how to order or book a table?

    • Why it matters: Streamlined online ordering and reservations drive direct revenue and customer convenience.

    • Check:

      • ☐ Are "Order Online" or "Book a Table" buttons prominent and easy to find (above the fold if possible)?

      • ☐ Is the path to your online ordering or reservation system clear and intuitive?

      • ☐ Is the ordering/reservation process mobile-friendly?

      • ☐ Is information on delivery areas, times, and booking availability clearly stated?

    • Actionable Tip: Go through the process of placing a mock order or making a mock reservation on your website. Was it quick and easy?

  • Online Ordering & Wait Time Information: Is it easy to order and understand potential wait times?

  • Why it matters: Clear online ordering options drive direct revenue, and transparent wait time information improves customer satisfaction and manages expectations.

  • Check:

    • ☐ Are "Order Online" buttons prominent and easy to find (above the fold if possible)?

    • ☐ Is the path to your online ordering system clear and intuitive?

    • ☐ Is the ordering process mobile-friendly?

    • ☐ If you offer online ordering, is information on delivery areas, minimum order amounts, and estimated delivery/pickup times clearly stated before checkout?

    • ☐ If you utilize Google's wait time feature, is there a clear indication on your website (e.g., a badge or link) directing users to check current wait times?

    • ☐ If you offer a digital waitlist (e.g., through a third-party service), is there a clear and easy-to-find button or link to join the waitlist?

  • Actionable Tip: Go through the process of placing a mock online order on your website (if applicable). Is the process smooth and informative? Also, check if your website clearly directs users to your Google Business Profile or waitlist service to see current wait times (if you use these features).

☐ 2. Menu Accessibility: Is your menu easy to find and read?

  • Why it matters: Hungry customers need to see what you offer and at what price. Don't make them hunt for it.

  • Check:

    • ☐ Is there a clear and obvious link to your menu in the main website navigation?

    • ☐ Is the menu easy to read on all devices (not a small, blurry PDF)?

    • ☐ Is the pricing up-to-date and clearly associated with each item?

    • ☐ Are item descriptions clear and enticing?

  • Actionable Tip: Ask someone who hasn't seen your website before to find your menu. How quickly and easily could they do it?

☐ 3. Menu Accessibility: Is your menu easy to find and read?

  • Why it matters: Hungry customers need to see what you offer and at what price. Don't make them hunt for it.

  • Check:

    • ☐ Is there a clear and obvious link to your menu in the main website navigation?

    • ☐ Is the menu easy to read on all devices (not a small, blurry PDF)?

    • ☐ Is the pricing up-to-date and clearly associated with each item?

    • ☐ Are item descriptions clear and enticing?

  • Actionable Tip: Ask someone who hasn't seen your website before to find your menu. How quickly and easily could they do it?

☐ 4. Contact Information Visibility: Can customers easily find your phone number and address?

  • Why it matters: Essential for inquiries, getting directions, and building trust with local customers.

  • Check:

    • ☐ Is your phone number and full address clearly displayed (ideally in the header or footer and on a dedicated "Contact Us" page)?

    • ☐ Is your phone number clickable on mobile devices for easy calling?

    • ☐ Is there an embedded Google Map on your "Contact Us" page showing your exact location?

    • ☐ Are your hours of operation clearly visible?

  • Actionable Tip: Quickly find your phone number and address on your website as if you were a new customer needing to contact you or get directions.

☐ 5. Website Loading Speed: Does your website load quickly?

  • Why it matters: Slow websites frustrate users, leading them to leave before even seeing your delicious food. It also negatively impacts your search engine ranking.

  • Check:

    • ☐ Does your website load fully in under 3 seconds (ideally)?

    • ☐ Are your images properly optimized (compressed for web)?

    • ☐ Are there any unnecessary elements that might be slowing down your site?

  • Actionable Tip: Test your website's loading speed using Google's PageSpeed Insights tool:

☐ 6. High-Quality Visuals: Are your food and restaurant photos appealing?

  • Why it matters: Food is visual! Enticing photos can be the deciding factor for a customer choosing your restaurant.

  • Check:

    • ☐ Are the photos on your website clear, well-lit, and mouthwatering?

    • ☐ Do your photos look professional (avoiding blurry or poorly framed shots)?

    • ☐ Are the images relevant to the content on the page (e.g., photos of specific menu items on the menu page)?

    • ☐ Are your image file sizes optimized for the web (not huge files that slow down loading)?

  • Actionable Tip: Review the photos on your website. Do they make you want to eat at your restaurant? Ask a friend for their honest opinion.

☐ 7. Basic SEO Elements: Are you making it easy for search engines to understand your site?

  • Why it matters: Basic SEO helps your website get found by local customers searching on Google.

  • Check (briefly):

    • ☐ Does your homepage have a unique and descriptive title tag (the text that appears in the browser tab)? It should ideally include your restaurant name and location.

    • ☐ Does your homepage have a meta description (a short summary of your page that appears in search results)?

    • ☐ Is your restaurant name and location mentioned naturally within the text content of your website?

  • Actionable Tip: If you use WordPress, install a free SEO plugin like Yoast SEO and check the basic SEO analysis for your homepage.

What to Do Next:

This quick audit is just the first step. Identifying these key areas is crucial for ensuring your website is a powerful asset for your restaurant. Addressing these issues can significantly improve your online visibility, attract more local customers, and ultimately fill more seats and increase online orders.

Want a more in-depth website audit and a personalized digital marketing strategy to attract more local customers?

At RubyKate, we specialize in helping locally owned restaurants like yours thrive online. We can provide a comprehensive analysis of your website and develop a tailored plan to optimize your online presence, drive traffic, and increase your revenue.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation!