How Much Does a Restaurant Website Cost?

You have three basic options for a restaurant website: hire an agency or a freelancer, take the DIY route using a website builder, or opt for a managed website subscription. Your final bill will depend on the design complexity and included features as well as on how you incorporate hosting and ongoing maintenance.

Restaurants should consider the total cost of ownership of their website rather than just the initial price tag.

Ask three people what you might expect to spend on a restaurant website, and they will probably shrug and say "it depends." And, while it certainly depends on how the site is built and how much the owner wants, there’s no magic formula.

Once you have grasped the three primary methods and several factors contributing to costs, you can accurately budget for what a restaurant website needs to do for your business.

Here’s the lowdown.

Three Ways to Pay for and Build a Restaurant Website

Hiring an Agency or Freelancer

In this scenario, you will pay a single flat fee for the completed website, which you own fully.

The agency or freelancer will build a completely custom site for you, and it is usually the most costly option to start, but you have full ownership of the finalised product.

The downside is that you will be solely responsible for maintenance, updates and potential repairs once the site is complete, and these usually come with an additional charge or might be neglected until the website looks dated.

An agency build is ideal for restaurants that seek something personalised and have a method for keeping the site updated.

Using a DIY Website Builder

This method involves paying a small monthly charge for a website builder tool and then doing all the work yourself.

While it is the least expensive option to initiate the process, you effectively pay in time rather than cash, which, for a busy restaurant owner, is rarely a profitable exchange.

The website is often created in haste, with the menu being quickly outdated, the hours inaccurate and, within a year, the site has begun to hurt business.

The cheapest upfront option, but only if your time is available for free.

Opting for a Managed Website Subscription

With this option, you pay one fixed monthly rate, which not only includes the website build, but also the hosting and all future updates.

You won’t have to pay a big sum upfront or be hit with a separate ongoing maintenance bill later.

This is the model behind the Stride platform, and it is ideal for owners who want a polished website but don't want to have to become its webmaster.

What Factors Shape the Price of a Restaurant Website?

Regardless of which option you choose, there are several consistent factors influencing your restaurant website's cost:

Design

Sites with custom designs cost significantly more than those made using an established template; most restaurants will find a professionally developed template sufficient.

Number of Pages

A single-page site is naturally more affordable to build than one with numerous pages included for the story, menu, photos and contact information.

Features and Integrations

Online ordering and booking systems are major features, which, while highly valuable, will drive up the cost as they require extensive development to function effectively.

Photography

Professional food photos significantly improve the site's performance and are often an essential investment for restaurants.

Multilingual Support

For restaurants with a diverse customer base and a need to attract tourists, providing content in multiple languages adds to the build time and subsequent cost.

Hosting and Maintenance

The often-overlooked element of the price structure.

Somebody has to ensure that the menu, hours of operation, and any other necessary information are up-to-date.

If the build cost does not cover this, then the upkeep of the website will either fall to the owner directly or require an additional payment.

One-Time vs Long-Term Restaurant Website Cost of Ownership

This is perhaps the most misunderstood element for most owners, yet it encompasses the entire story.

A restaurant website that was affordable on day one but looks tired and requires rebuilding two years later has effectively cost you twice as much as it would have to secure something with a slightly higher upfront price but which is still functional and up-to-date.

It is imperative to assess a restaurant website based on the total investment incurred throughout its lifespan, not on the immediate sticker price.

While a marginally more expensive but consistently updated website will likely outperform and prove more cost-effective than a low-cost upfront option that deteriorates over time, it also continuously aids your restaurant SEO efforts, which is ultimately why you would even create a website in the first place.

Choosing the Correct Restaurant Website Option for You

When deciding on the right option for your restaurant, the following three questions can effectively guide your choice:

Who Will Be Updating the Website?

An outmoded website is of no use.

Select a managed option, or factor separate maintenance charges into your budget, if no other option is viable.

How Much of Your Free Time Can You Commit to Website Maintenance?

If you have very little time, a DIY website builder might actually end up costing more than it is worth.

What Functionality Will the Website Offer?

A site designed solely to display hours and menu options will vary significantly in cost compared to one that facilitates online orders or table reservations.

Determine the essential features you need first, then compare the three options based on the total cost of ownership rather than the initial amount of money required.

For a precise cost estimate rather than a generalised model, begin by viewing the pricing on Stride's website.

The system is a managed subscription that includes all costs bundled into one fixed monthly rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Most Affordable Way to Build a Restaurant Website?

Although a DIY website builder can be a cost-effective way to initially build a restaurant website, the actual cost accumulates from you paying with your time.

The most affordable option in terms of price will likely be a managed website subscription, as this method ensures that your website stays current throughout and saves you money on future rebuilding and site updates.

Is a Monthly Website Subscription More Expensive Than a Traditional Agency Build?

The amount you pay at first may appear higher when you opt for a monthly website subscription compared to having a traditional agency build it for you.

But overall, it often is not, as it includes the price of ongoing updates and repairs rather than having them billed separately, or them becoming so overwhelming that a costly rebuild is necessary.

What Are the Primary Contributors to a High Restaurant Website Cost?

A custom website design, numerous pages to include various forms of content, and features such as online ordering and table reservations will raise the final price.

Professional photography and the option of multilingual support can also drive up the cost.

Do Restaurant Websites Require Maintenance?

Yes. Menus, hours of operation, images, and other details all need to be updated consistently, and an outdated website will lose you business.

If you opt for an agency build rather than a managed website subscription, you will typically be billed separately for site maintenance, or need to handle it yourself.

What Is the Price of Stride?

You can find current pricing on our pricing page.

Stride is a managed subscription, so the price includes website build and ongoing updates in a predictable monthly payment.

Conclusion

Calculating the exact cost for your restaurant website?

Start by viewing Stride's managed subscription plans, or take our free Online Presence Analysis to determine where your restaurant stands right now.