Sietsema's Table: Discussing Food, Wine and Dining With Tom Sietsema

What Do You Look For in a Restaurant's Web Site?

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What Do You Look For in a Restaurant's Web Site?

posted at 11/6/2008 9:50 AM EST

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Tom_Sietsema

First post: 7/15/2008
Last post: 11/19/2009
Total posts: 172

After a few chat followers complained to me about overly-fancy restaurant Web sites, I heard from a reader who described what he wanted from the establishments he sought out online:

A Web site should include:

Address, phone number, hours of operation, mention of any special events that might involve closing the restaurant, directions, parking information, Metro information, an updated menu and a description of any deals or promotions being offered. "Don't mistake yourself for a radio station," the reader added. "A restaurant page should not have music" as many people look for information during work hours, "and (music) is not appropriate."

What would you add to that reader's wish list? And which restaurants have the best sites?

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Re: What Do You Look For in a Restaurant's Web Site?

posted at 11/6/2008 11:32 AM EST

mustang946

First post: 10/16/2007
Last post: 8/6/2009
Total posts: 137

Replying to:

After a few chat followers complained to me about overly-fancy restaurant Web sites, I heard from a reader who described what he wanted from the establishments he sought out online:A Web site should include:Address, phone number, hours of operation, mention of any special events that might involve closing the restaurant, directions, parking information, Metro information, an updated menu and a description of any deals or promotions being offered. "Don't mistake yourself for a radio station," the reader added. "A restaurant page should not have music" as many people look for information during work hours, "and (music) is not appropriate."What would you add to that reader's wish list? And which restaurants have the best sites?
Posted by Tom_Sietsema

Don't forget to mention a dress code if there is one!

Most important of all - keep it current!

Chart House seems to have a pretty good one - even for a chain.

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What Do You Look For in a Restaurant's Web Site?

posted at 11/6/2008 12:00 PM EST

dirtball

First post: 10/14/2008
Last post: 11/23/2009
Total posts: 67

Dress code is a must for a redneck like me who believes that new Carharrt's and a long sleeved collared shirt passes for semi-formal. Lunch and dinner menus with specials listed with price. I know that these places claim not to have the time, but I have to change my farm website daily to let customers what is available and what is not. Takes at least 10 minutes and that includes logging on to my copper wire dial-up service. Service is the key to success.

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Atmostsphere

posted at 11/6/2008 1:44 PM EST

ideallydc

First post: 10/31/2008
Last post: 5/28/2009
Total posts: 14

In addition to what is listed above. I'd like two small pictures, one of the entrance, so that I can find the restaurant by sight, and one of the inside so that I can guage the ambiance. Things I don't need are into screens, music, and pages with lots of clicking to navigate.

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What Do You Look For in a Restaurant's Web Site?

posted at 11/6/2008 6:45 PM EST

mothbeast

First post: 3/8/2008
Last post: 2/20/2009
Total posts: 12

information on whether they do carry out is also fabulously helpful.

also information on reservations - if they take them or not, or only at certain hours, up to how big a group...

it also helps if they really can't do a website to at least. have their current hours and menu posted where you can see it on the outside of their restaurant so that if you pass by somewhere closed you can see if they will be good for later.

places totally unable to do their own sites could at least try to make sure the their information on yelp.com and menupages.com is accurate.

remember if I can find it online I won't be bothering your staff with phone calls.

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On-Line Reservations!

posted at 11/7/2008 5:45 AM EST

DupontJay

First post: 3/16/2008
Last post: 11/6/2009
Total posts: 26

Agree with all the suggestions, but let me add what's most important to me: the ability to make reservations online. Whether it's via OpenTable or some other way, being able to check availability and make reservations 24/7 is *HUGE*.

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Corkage

posted at 11/7/2008 6:08 AM EST

TDinArlington

First post: 11/7/2008
Last post: 11/7/2008
Total posts: 1

I really like it when they are up front about their corkage policy and fees.

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Re: What Do You Look For in a Restaurant's Web Site?

posted at 11/7/2008 7:24 AM EST

niceshoes1

First post: 11/7/2008
Last post: 11/7/2008
Total posts: 1

Restaurant websites are so bad, it shouldn't take much to stand out from the pack.
- An updated menu
- Reservations link
- A website that actually works (ie You click links and the appropriate actions occurs)
- Doesn't use to much flash, or one that provide an html alternative
- Directions for both metro and driving, and additionally a google maps link. Near by parking garages if necessary.

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Out-dated menus drive me nuts

posted at 11/7/2008 8:51 AM EST

swissmiss150

First post: 8/14/2008
Last post: 11/4/2009
Total posts: 5

I have e-mailed Clyde's twice about this in the last year - no improvement and never any response from them. They are still offering (at least on their website) fried green tomatoes and SUMMER tomato salad and SUMMER clambake, along with vanilla cake with peaches and blueberries. This is the menu listed for their Gallery Place location.

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The most frustrating

posted at 11/7/2008 9:51 AM EST

patpurcell

First post: 8/13/2008
Last post: 9/9/2009
Total posts: 13

thing for me is when you get a partial menu. I want the menu and the prices. I don't care really how "pretty" the web site is, just give me the up to date as possible menu, prices (specials if possible), directions, a phone number and I'm happy. I think online reservations woud be nice but I don't trust them, you still have to follow up with a phone call.

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Flash

posted at 11/7/2008 4:12 PM EST

imrit

First post: 7/24/2008
Last post: 7/9/2009
Total posts: 53

I agree on the suggestions to limit flash. Nothing is more annoying, especially when you're on the move. I like up to date menus (Insieme in New York posts a daily menu, as do others). If it's a restaurant with an important chef, I appreciate some biography or thoughts from the man or women him or herself, and also if it's an ethnic restaurant, since I'd like to know what to expect.

I also don't mind links to review, so long as they are from reputable sources. For example, I would like to know Tom wrote about a restaurant on their web site. I mean, why not?

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Re: Atmostsphere

posted at 11/7/2008 6:23 PM EST

mac4700

First post: 7/17/2008
Last post: 11/19/2009
Total posts: 110

Replying to:

I think a picture of the entrance and (at least one) of the restaurant's interior is a great idea.

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food photos...

posted at 11/12/2008 11:43 AM EST

tjsteak

First post: 11/12/2008
Last post: 11/12/2008
Total posts: 1

I like to see pics of the food; however on a lot of sites the quality of the photography is just awful and doesn't do justice to the food.

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NO FLASH!

posted at 11/12/2008 4:59 PM EST

mebutle

First post: 4/4/2008
Last post: 10/26/2009
Total posts: 32

Look at it this way: if you need a button labeled "Skip Intro," you need to remove that intro.

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just the facts

posted at 11/12/2008 6:25 PM EST

cookie44

First post: 7/31/2008
Last post: 8/31/2009
Total posts: 11

I agree with the general list of musts but would like to add that a menu WITH PRICES is much more helpful that one without and usually is the main thing I am looking for. Not necesarily that if I have to ask perhaps I can't afford it, but more to gauge how special an occassion dining there will be just for us as well as to know whether it is in the price ranges of friends we like to meet up with. Menu info should include any special menus (tasting menus, pre-theater, etc.) that are offered - even if a sample is not available.

Personally I don't need photos of the food or the entrance, but an interior photo can certainly be helpful as dress codes vary so much. A restaurant may not require a jacket and tie, but seeing the inside we might decide we feel more comfortable that way (we like to dress for dinner).

Things I dislike: flash, music, animation, outdated info (i.e. menus, prices, phone numbers, addresses, hours should all be current), any setup that makes it difficult to find basic info such as menu & contact info (if I have to click through several things to get there you are already losing my interest).

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Simple and informative

posted at 11/12/2008 7:10 PM EST

foxn

First post: 10/29/2008
Last post: 11/20/2008
Total posts: 11

Flash, sound, and animation are three things I can't stand on the web, and are all totally unnecessary for any restaurant's site. Aside from a current menu, location, business hours, phone number, and whether reservations are required, recommend, or not accepted, it is also nice to see a page describing how the restaurateur sees their business. Sort of an artist's statement if you will.
In this day and age it's also a good idea if your web page plays nice with most mobile browsers.

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Special needs

posted at 11/13/2008 11:50 AM EST

DadWannaBe

First post: 5/16/2008
Last post: 3/26/2009
Total posts: 82

It is very important to address special needs on the web-site. Is the site handicap accessible? Are braille/large-type print menus available for the visually impaired? If not, you better hope that your on-line menu is current or you will do a REAL disservice to your visually impaired customers. If your menu on-line is available, make sure that it is in a format that can be enlarged (i.e. no fixed-type forced font sizes) for viewing. Can you accommodate vegetarians (really accommodate them, not just a selection of sides)? Are substitutions allowed for those with allergies?

With the right information, those who cannot be handled well, will avoid the restaurant rather than arriving, having a difficult meal, and then giving bad reviews to everyone they know. It's in your best interest to present your establishment honestly.

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What I want...

posted at 11/14/2008 9:12 PM EST

missm1

First post: 11/8/2008
Last post: 2/28/2009
Total posts: 5

I want cool, jazzy music that makes my coworkers think I'm on a porn site when I'm just trying to find a menu.

I want LOTS of Adobe PDFs, Flash and scripts that cause me to download updated software to view them.

I do NOT want the address, a Google map, hours, dress code, online reservations and a current menu.

I think I'm in the minority here. :)

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Kid-Tolerant?

posted at 12/12/2008 10:45 AM EST

drewdane

First post: 7/2/2008
Last post: 11/10/2009
Total posts: 16

In addition to the remarks already made, it's helpful to me to know if my kids are welcome (assuming good behavior, natch) or if I should call the sitter.

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