Last month, a local pizzeria owner showed me something frustrating on his phone: a food delivery app was displaying a menu from 2022. Prices were wrong. Items they no longer served were still listed. Worst of all, customers were calling angry about "false advertising."
The problem? He had no control over that third-party listing. He had submitted updates months ago, but they never got processed. Meanwhile, his business was taking the hit for someone else's outdated data.
This is exactly why every restaurant needs its own website, even if it is just a single page with your current menu, hours, and contact info.
The Core Truth
When you own your website, you control your information. No waiting for third parties to update outdated menus. No surprise price changes. No losing customers because someone else dropped the ball.
The Third-Party Platform Problem
Delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub serve a purpose. They can bring you orders. But relying on them as your only online presence creates serious problems:
1Outdated Menu Information
You update your menu, but third-party sites take days or weeks to reflect changes. Customers order items you no longer have or see old prices, leading to frustration and bad reviews.
2Loss of Customer Data
When customers order through delivery apps, those platforms own the customer relationship. You cannot build a mailing list, offer loyalty programs, or directly market to them.
3High Commission Fees
Most delivery platforms charge 15-30% commission per order. For already thin restaurant margins, this can be devastating. Your own website with direct ordering eliminates these fees.
4Incorrect Business Hours
Closed for a private event? Changed your hours seasonally? Third-party sites often show incorrect information, causing customers to show up when you are closed or try to order when you cannot fulfill.
How a Simple Website Boosts Your Business
You do not need a complex website with hundreds of pages. A simple, single-page site can dramatically improve your restaurant operations and customer experience:
Always Up-to-Date Information
Update your menu, hours, or specials instantly. No waiting for third parties. When you change your lunch special, it goes live immediately.
Build Your Customer List
Collect email addresses and phone numbers for your own marketing. Send special offers directly to customers who have ordered from you before.
Eliminate Middleman Fees
Accept orders directly through your site or simply display your phone number. Keep 100% of the revenue instead of paying 20%+ to delivery platforms.
Show Up in Google Search
When someone searches "Italian restaurant near me" on Google, having your own website dramatically increases the chances you will appear in results.
Control Your Brand
Tell your story. Show your kitchen. Highlight what makes you special. Third-party platforms treat every restaurant the same - your site is uniquely yours.
Build Trust and Credibility
Customers research restaurants before visiting. A professional website signals legitimacy and quality. It shows you are established and trustworthy.
What Should Your Restaurant Website Include?
Keep it simple. Here is what every restaurant website absolutely needs (all of this can fit on one page):
Essential Elements
Current Menu with Accurate Prices
The number one reason people visit restaurant websites. Make it easy to read on mobile devices.
Hours of Operation
List regular hours and any special holiday closures or seasonal changes.
Location and Directions
Full address, embedded Google Map, parking information, and public transit details if relevant.
Contact Information
Phone number prominently displayed. Email address for inquiries. Link to online ordering if you offer it.
High-Quality Food Photos
People eat with their eyes first. Show off your best dishes with professional-looking photos.
About Your Restaurant
Brief story about who you are, what makes you special, and why customers should choose you.
Optional but Powerful Additions
- Online ordering system - Accept orders directly without third-party fees
- Table reservations - Let customers book directly through your site
- Email signup - Build your customer list for future promotions
- Catering information - Promote your catering services for events
- Customer reviews/testimonials - Showcase positive feedback from real diners
Real Example: How One Website Changed Everything
A small family-owned Mexican restaurant in our town was struggling. They were listed on delivery apps but constantly dealt with wrong orders because their menu was outdated on those platforms.
We built them a simple one-page website with:
- Current menu they could update themselves anytime
- Accurate hours and location with Google Maps
- Photos of their most popular dishes
- Click-to-call button prominently displayed for phone orders
The results after just 3 months:
- 40% increase in direct phone orders
- Complaints about wrong orders dropped to almost zero
- Started appearing in local Google searches for "Mexican food near me"
- Saved thousands in delivery platform fees
This was not a complex, expensive website. It was one page with accurate information that the owner controlled. That simple change transformed their business.
Take Control of Your Online Presence
You do not need to abandon delivery platforms entirely. They can be part of your strategy. But relying on them as your only online presence puts your business at risk.
A simple website gives you:
- Control - Update information instantly without waiting for third parties
- Ownership - Your customer data belongs to you, not a platform
- Savings - Eliminate or reduce expensive commission fees
- Visibility - Show up in Google searches and AI assistant recommendations
- Professionalism - Build trust and credibility with potential customers
The restaurant industry is competitive. Every advantage matters. A website is not just a nice-to-have anymore. It is essential infrastructure for running a modern restaurant business.