How to use this checklist
Open your website on your phone, not your computer. That's how most guests see it. Go down the list and mark anything that's missing, hard to find or out of date.
The basics guests need right away
- 1. A menu they can read on a phone. Use real text with prices, not a blurry photo or a PDF they have to pinch and zoom. Text menus also help Google and AI assistants answer "Does this place have vegan options?"
- 2. Today's hours, including holidays. Wrong hours are the fastest way to lose a guest's trust. Add holiday hours before the holiday, and update them when the weather closes you early.
- 3. Address, map and parking. Make the address tap-to-open in maps, and say where to park or which entrance to use.
- 4. A phone number you can tap to call. Put it in the header or footer of every page, not only on the contact page.
- 5. Clear buttons to order and reserve. Link straight to the ordering and reservation tools you already use, like Toast, Square or OpenTable, so guests are one tap from acting.
- 6. Fast and easy on mobile. If a page takes more than a few seconds to load, many guests give up. Big photos, pop-ups and heavy add-ons are the usual causes.
The details that win the visit
- 7. Real photos of your food and space. Your own photos, not stock images. Guests want to see the dish they'll order and the room they'll sit in.
- 8. Current specials and events. Trivia night, a seasonal menu, live music. If last summer's special is still up, guests assume the rest is old too.
- 9. Allergen and dietary notes. Mark gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and common allergens on the menu, and say how guests can ask about allergies.
- 10. Gift cards. An easy "Buy a gift card" link, especially from November through the holidays.
- 11. Private events and catering. A short page with what you offer and a simple way to inquire. These guests often spend the most.
- 12. Proof that people love it. A few real reviews, your Google rating, and links to your Instagram and Facebook.
Bonus: make sure Google and AI can read it
More guests now ask Google, Google Maps and AI assistants like ChatGPT where to eat. They pull answers from your website. When your menu, hours and address are written clearly on your site and match your Google profile, you're much more likely to show up with the right details.
The hard part: keeping it current
Most restaurant websites pass this checklist on launch day. The problem is six months later, when prices have changed, a dish is gone and holiday hours never got posted. If every update means emailing someone and waiting, it usually doesn't happen.
With AI Website Control, included in every Webdiner site, you just say what you need, like "Add the pumpkin ravioli for $24" or "We're closed Thanksgiving." You see exactly what will change, and nothing goes live until you tap Approve.
Wondering what a site like this costs? Read our 2026 restaurant website cost guide →
Frequently asked questions
Should my restaurant menu be a PDF?
It's better as text on the page. Text menus are easier to read on a phone, load faster, and can be read by Google and AI assistants. You can still offer a PDF for printing.
What pages does a restaurant website need?
At minimum: home, menu, hours and location, and contact. Most restaurants also benefit from pages for ordering, reservations, private events, catering and gift cards.
How often should I update my restaurant website?
Any time your menu, prices, hours or specials change. Check it at least once a month, and always before holidays.
Can Webdiner connect my website to Toast, Square or OpenTable?
Yes. We connect your website to the ordering, reservation and POS tools you already use, so guests can order or book in one tap.
Want us to check your site against this list?
Book a free 15-minute demo. We'll go through your website with you and show you AI Website Control live.
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