Story: Value of website for F&B
If you are a graphic/web designer, you might have some inquiries from restaurant owners. You sent an estimate and did not receive a response since then. I understand it.
I have/had some clients in the F&B(food and beverage) industry. They were already successful restaurants before they contacted me. This means whoever provides graphic design or web design, their business goes well. It was less pressure even though I provided whatever I can do at that point.
In May 2022, I am working with a client who will open a restaurant in Fall 2022. We are almost the after COVID. I checked recent websites for the restaurant industry. I could find how they are monetizing it. I am going to maximize values more than just an ordinary website.
Casual restaurant
CMS: WordPress
Nav menu
– Menu
– Locations & Hours
– Caterings
– Loyalty
– Order now (pickup and delivery)
Hamburger menu
– HOME
– MENU
– LOYALTY
– CATERING
– OTHER LOCATIONS:
– – URBANBELLY AT TIMEOUT MARKET
– – CBK RAMEN BAR AT TIMEOUT MARKET
– – CHEF BILL KIM’S AT PURDUE MEMORIAL UNION
– – CHEF BILL KIM’S PIZZA & PARM
– GIFT CARDS
– NEWS AND EVENTS
– JOIN OUR TEAM
Casual, pop, well-designed and monetized. I already checked the restaurant’s website below and many restaurants do not hesitate to use video in the hero section. It makes the website slow, but there is a sizzle. Good to know the trend.
CMS: BentoBox
Nav menu
– HOURS & LOCATIONS
– MENUS
– ABOUT US
– BOOK THE TRUCK
– SHOP
– UBER EATS
– ONLINE ORDER
– IF
– IG
– Mailinglist
Popup with discount.
Many restaurants use IG well. I need to think about guidelines when I develop brand identity.
CMS: BentoBox
Nav menu
– HOURS + LOCATION
– MENU
– ABOUT
– GIFT CARDS
– SHOP
– NEWSLETTER
Footer
– IF
– IG
– Email
– CAREERS
– CONTACT
Popup with discount.
CMS: BentoBox
Nav menu
– HOURS & LOCATION
– MENUS
– EVENTS AND LARGE PARTIES
– ABOUT US
– PICKLE HOSPITALITY
– GIFT CARDS
– ORDER ONLINE
– SHOP
Footer
– FB
– IG
– Tripadvisor
– Email
– JOBS
– PRESS
– CONTACT
– Newsletter
CMS: BentoBox
Nav menu
– MENUS
– LOCATIONS
– CATERING
– BBQ CLUB
– GIFT CARDS
– ABOUT
– BRAND FAM
– ORDER ONLINE
– FB
– Twitter
– IG
CMS: WordPress
Nav menu
– MENU
– BOOKING
– KARAOKE
– TAKEAWAY
– CATERING
– CURIOUS?
– #EXPERIENCES
– JOBS
– CONTACT
– FB
– IG
Fine dining(Bistro) restaurant
CMS: WordPress
Nav Menu(right)
– Menu
– About
– Contact
– Reservation
– Order
– Language
– IG
– FB
– Tripadvisor
I like story-telling copywriting, Tribute, reinvention, chemistry, poetry. This is not always necessary for the restaurant’s website. Usually, show the menu photos and navigate to call, online order, or reservation. All are correct. Good execution from the direction. This website deserves to feature here.
CMS: WordPress
Nav Menu
– Call
– Online order
– Reservation
Hamburger menu(left-top)
– HOME
– ABOUT
– CATERING
– GALLERY
– GIFT CARDS
– LOCATION
– IG
– FB
I like big serif font, freight-big-pro. Many Japanese restaurants use Chinese/Japanese letters for the logo and I sometimes feel it’s fake. The hero section shows the phone, online order, and reservation. Quick communication. The background on the hamburger menu is not black, it has some texture. It looks high-end Japanese restaurant. Good job. On the gallery page, not only great photos, 3D and video. Very well presented.
CMS: WordPress
Nav(right-top)
– UI/UX
Nav menu(left)
– menus
– wine
– concept
– reservations/events
– FAQ
– contact
Users can change interface color. For the website design, it is not rear, but for the restaurant website, it’s unusual. I don’t want users to take time before online ordering. This is just my opinion. Pop fonts and colors look casual, but I categorized this as bistro. Wanna have a wine!
CMS: No info
Nav menu(left)
– Home
– Concept
– Restaurant
– Cocktail
– The map
– To book
– FB
– IG
– Phone
It’s quite an unusual website, with horizontal scroll and distortion js. Online user experience cultivates a customer’s curiosity. Fast food restaurant does not need it.
CMS: Webflow
Hamburger menu(left-top)
– Beer
– Food
– Wine
– Shop
– News
– Phone
– Email
– FB
– IG
CMS: WordPress
Nav Menu
– Reservation
Hamburger menu(left-top)
– HOME
– ABOUT
– MENU
– RESERVATIONS
– EVENTS
– WEDDINGS
– NEWS
– GIFT SHOP
– CAREERS
– CONTACT
– HEALTH & SAFETY
When I visit the website, the photos change each time. In front of Sydney Opera House. That’s gorgeous. Nice logo. It’s sharp. Events and weddings are a great offer for maximizing revenue. It depends on the facility/capacity. On the other hand, the rent would be quite high and must be tough in 2 years, under the COVID. Anyway, if it’s possible, a restaurant should offer it. I don’t prefer presentation-type slides, each page is stuck on the screen when I scroll the website.
CMS: Squarespace
Nav Menu
– Menu
– About
– Shop
– Reserve
– IG
– FB
St. Lawrence is my closest restaurant from home. It is a French restaurant and a little expensive. I also know it’s popular. The logo is a minimum and fits French. Website made by Squarespace. Simple and clean. I think any CMS is okay, but the restaurant really needs good photos. I found media on the footer. That’s unique. No cheap delivery service, shop and reservation. That’s suitable.
Conclusion: Give values
I can see the difference between a casual restaurant’s website and a fine dining restaurant’s website. Either way, a website should generate money, receive orders.
What value can we give F&B clients?
e.g.
– Reservation(pre-payment)
– Set up an online ordering system
– Contact form for catering, events, weddings, etc
– Integrate the food delivery APP
– Online presence, Yelp, Facebook, IG, Google business profile…
– Inform menu/photo and price
Many new restaurant owners may do everything, some interior/exterior, menu, poster, uniform, store card, and website, himself/herself. That’s also reality and it’s okay in the early stage. I don’t try to oversell to restaurant clients. I work with them when they need help.
