Crafting a Restaurant's Online Presence: A Detailed Guide (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Sometimes starting a restaurant website can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be! In this straightforward guide, we'll walk you through the four simple steps needed to create a restaurant website, all from the comfort of your computer.
Step 1: Choose a web host
First, you'll need a domain name (the address for your restaurant website, like yourrestaurant.com) and a web hosting service (where your website's files will be stored and made available to users). When selecting a hosting provider, bear in mind the importance of features like high availability, high bandwidth, sufficient storage space, and quality customer support. Our recommendation is managed WordPress hosting with Nexcess, which offers these features and more. It comes with specific hosting plans tailored for WordPress to ensure an optimal experience.
Step 2: Set up your WordPress website
A WordPress website is where you'll handle everything from menu management to order processing. It's user-friendly and perfect for beginners, as you don't need any coding knowledge. With a WordPress website, you can create an online ordering system that lets customers place orders online and view menus. To make setup even more manageable, Nexcess hosting services come with WordPress and WooCommerce pre-installed, so all you'll need to do is log in and get started.
Step 3: Choose a theme
A theme determines the design of your restaurant website, including the layout, color scheme, and typography. We recommend the humble KadenceWP theme due to its speed, accessibility, ease of use, and versatility, offering numerous starter templates such as the popular Resto template. To install Resto, simply search for it within your WordPress dashboard, click Install, and then activate.
Step 4: Set up online ordering with Orderable
Orderable is a must-have WordPress plugin that adds online ordering functionality to your restaurant website. With it, you can set up custom delivery and pickup schedules, add your dishes, and manage orders effortlessly.
Now, let's walk through the steps to set up Orderable on your WordPress website:
Step 1: Install Orderable (Pro)
Purchase Orderable from Orderable.com and then follow these steps:
- Go to on your WordPress dashboard, click the button, select the .zip file containing Orderable, and click .
- Activate the plugin.
Note: At this point, Orderable should automatically set up WooCommerce for you.
Step 2: Set your restaurant settings
Navigate to and click on the tab. Here, you can set your restaurant's operating hours, delivery/pickup options, and more.
Step 3: Design online menus for your restaurant
To create your restaurant's online menus, you'll first need to add your dishes as products in WooCommerce. This is done in the same way as adding any product to your WooCommerce store. Once you've added all your dishes, use to create a menu layout, and assign it to a new page named "Menu."
Step 4: Set up table ordering
To set up table ordering with Orderable, follow these steps:
- Go to .
- Enter the number for each table you wish to create a QR code for, and select the specific URL customers will access by scanning the QR code on the table.
- Click when you're done, and repeat this process for all tables in your restaurant.
Thus, you now have a fully-functional online restaurant! Customers can browse your menus, place orders, and make table reservations, all within a user-friendly interface. Make it easy for them by integrating a table ordering system using QR codes.
Bonus tips: Selecting the perfect theme and integrating online ordering functionality
When choosing a theme for your restaurant website, pay attention to factors like aesthetics, ease of use, and compatibility with plugins. Some popular options on WordPress include Gourmand, Delicio, Korina, Mise En Place, and Grand Restaurant.
If you'd prefer an alternative to Orderable, consider using the WooCommerce Food plugin, which offers features such as menu management, multiple order methods, and Google Maps integration for delivery zones.
To round out your restaurant website, additional plugins like reservation plugins and review and rating plugins can help you connect with customers and encourage engagement.
So there you have it! With these steps and recommendations, you can create a polished, customer-friendly restaurant website that proudly showcases your restaurant and makes ordering online a breeze. Let the success pour in!
- "As you customize your WordPress website, consider adding product add-ons like order modifications or special requests to enhance the ordering experience for your customers."
- "To further elevate your restaurant's online presence, integrate lifestyle elements such as high-quality food photographs, customer testimonials, and engaging blog articles using technology tools and plugins."
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