Restaurant Technology
Published October 1, 2025
Learn how to create a custom ordering website that boosts restaurant revenue, enhances customer experience, and leverages AI technology.
Creating a custom ordering website is a game-changer for restaurants looking to increase revenue and improve customer experience. With online ordering growing 300% faster than dine-in traffic and customers spending up to 35% more per transaction, having your own platform is no longer optional. Here's what you need to know:
By building a website tailored to your brand, integrating it with existing systems like POS, and leveraging AI-powered tools, your restaurant can thrive in the digital age. The steps below will guide you through planning, designing, and launching a successful platform.
Careful planning is key to turning your ordering website into a tool that not only connects with customers but also boosts revenue. The right approach ensures your site becomes a seamless extension of your brand and meets the needs of your audience.
Your brand identity - its personality, values, and story - should shape every decision about your website. Research has shown that strong branding builds trust and drives revenue .
Start with your mission and values. Clearly outline what your restaurant stands for. Whether your focus is on hospitality, sustainability, or community, these principles will guide every branding choice you make.
Give your restaurant a personality. Decide how you want your brand to be perceived. Is it quirky and fun, or refined and elegant? This personality should shine through in everything from your website design to your menu descriptions.
Build a cohesive visual identity. This includes a memorable logo, a consistent color scheme that evokes the right emotions, and typography that reflects your brand's character.
Set your brand voice and tone. Define how your brand "speaks." Is it playful and witty, or warm and inviting? Consistency is key, and leading brands like Chipotle, Chili's, Sweetgreen, and Starbucks show how a unified voice across all touchpoints creates lasting customer connections.
"Your mission statement isn't just words on a wall; it's the compass that guides every decision, from your menu to your marketing. Get it right, and your brand will naturally align." - Chris Patterson, Co-Founder of Navigator Consulting
Once your brand identity is clear, you can focus on the website features that will enhance customer experiences while streamlining operations.
Prioritize features that improve the customer journey and positively impact your bottom line.
Opt for commission-free ordering. Third-party platforms often take 15–30% per transaction, cutting into profits. Instead, choose a system with a flat monthly fee or a low fixed rate per order. This can significantly boost your margins.
Ensure mobile optimization. With over 63% of website traffic expected to come from mobile devices by 2025, your site must be responsive, load quickly, and feature large, easy-to-click buttons. Remember, 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take more than three seconds to load.
Offer multiple payment options. Convenience is key. Support major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other mobile wallets, while maintaining strong security measures like SSL encryption and PCI compliance.
Include order scheduling capabilities. Let customers plan ahead by placing orders for specific times. This feature can help your kitchen manage workload and reduce peak-time stress.
Provide pickup and delivery flexibility. Customers appreciate options. Offering express delivery and flexible pickup can increase revenue. In fact, 75% of consumers expect express delivery at checkout, and 90% say a smooth delivery experience makes them feel valued [4].
Add real-time order notifications and tracking. These features keep customers informed, reduce inquiries about delays, and improve overall satisfaction.
Once you’ve identified the must-have features, ensure your website integrates seamlessly with your existing systems for smooth operations.
POS system integration is a must. Your Point of Sale system serves as the backbone for managing orders and payments. Your website should feed orders directly into the POS to prevent delays, errors, or duplicate entries. If your current system lacks integration capabilities, consider upgrading to a cloud-based POS designed for multi-channel operations [4] .
Connect with your Kitchen Display System (KDS). This ensures orders are instantly visible to kitchen staff, routed to the right prep stations, and tracked in real time. It’s especially helpful during busy periods, minimizing errors and speeding up service.
Maintain third-party delivery platform integration. Even with a custom ordering website, platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub remain valuable, as 41% of restaurant orders come through digital channels [4]. Middleware can consolidate orders from these platforms into one dashboard and sync them with your POS/KDS [4] .
Synchronize your menu across platforms. Your website, POS, and third-party apps should always display consistent menu items, pricing, and availability in real time.
"When integrating your POS with third-party platforms, your menu data - including item names, pricing, modifiers, and availability - should sync across all channels in real time." - CloudKitchens
Incorporate inventory management integration. Automating inventory updates, low-stock alerts, and purchasing forecasts can reduce waste and ensure customers aren’t disappointed by unavailable items.
Planning these integrations during the website design phase will save time, money, and effort down the line. A well-integrated system ensures your custom ordering website operates smoothly from day one.
Once your brand identity is established and your integrations are mapped out, the platform you choose will play a critical role in both your day-to-day operations and long-term success. Let’s dive into the essential features and compliance standards that can make your platform efficient and tailored to your audience.
Pick a platform that offers an intuitive interface, easy menu management, and essential system integrations like POS systems, payment processing, and marketing tools. The ability to update menus quickly and maintain full ownership of customer data is key - especially since 70% of consumers prefer to interact with brands directly rather than through third-party platforms.
For restaurant owners looking for a comprehensive solution, AI Restaurant Solutions delivers a platform that combines custom-branded websites and mobile apps with advanced analytics. With a straightforward pricing model - such as $259.99 per month for custom websites and apps - it’s designed to help you manage costs while streamlining your operations.
Your platform must meet U.S. technical and legal standards to ensure smooth operations and avoid compliance issues. Here’s what to check for:
Platforms that rely on external resource files and placeholders for localization - rather than hardcoded formats - are better equipped to meet these requirements. As one expert explains:
"Localization helps ensure that software meets these specific regulations, reducing the risk of legal complications and potential fines." – Transifex
Before launching, conduct thorough quality assurance testing with U.S.-based users to confirm accurate currency formatting, tax calculations, and layout consistency. This step also ensures your platform aligns with cultural expectations.
AI technology is revolutionizing restaurant operations by automating tasks like order management and real-time notifications. In fact, nearly 9 out of 10 businesses are investing in AI, with 36% of professionals citing 24/7 service as a major advantage.
AI Restaurant Solutions offers AI-powered tools like 24/7 phone assistants for order taking and reservations, priced at $279.99 per month. These assistants handle complex orders with impressive accuracy. Additionally, centralized order aggregation combines orders from multiple channels into one dashboard, simplifying operations. With AI-driven analytics, you can gain valuable insights to refine your menu and manage inventory more effectively - especially since 62% of consumers are willing to share personal data for a better experience.
Now that you've chosen your platform and mapped out the technical details, it's time to build a website that captures your restaurant's essence while offering a smooth ordering experience. This is where your brand comes to life, and every design choice can turn casual visitors into loyal customers.
The template you select lays the groundwork for your website's entire look and functionality. Since most customers check out a restaurant's website before ordering or dining, the template you pick directly impacts their first impression - and your bottom line.
Start by clarifying your goals. Are you aiming to boost online orders, increase reservations, or showcase your brand? Your priorities will guide your choice. For example, Kansas City's Westside Local emphasizes online orders with a bold "Online Ordering" button front and center. On the other hand, Chicago's Hubbard Inn highlights brand storytelling with a template rich in videos and imagery to showcase the dining experience.
Align your template with your brand identity. Visuals matter - a lot. Studies show that 40% of consumers value high-quality photos, 39% care about cohesive colors, and 19% are influenced by typography. Want to create a cozy vibe? Go for warm colors like reds and oranges. Looking for something calming? Blues and greens work wonders. For a sophisticated touch, neutral tones are ideal - like Le Bernardin, the Michelin three-star restaurant, which uses a clean, muted design to reflect its fine-dining elegance.
Typography also plays a role in shaping perception. Sans-serif fonts feel modern, serif fonts exude elegance, and playful fonts work for quirky or casual spots. Free resources like Google Fonts and Font Squirrel offer plenty of options. Keep your design cohesive across all elements to reinforce your brand.
Avoid overly complicated templates that demand heavy customization. As Rafael Romis of Weberous Web Design points out:
"The biggest mistake business owners make is to select very elaborate templates because they look great. The issue there is that this also means that you'd have to do a ton of work to customize every detail of that template and make it your own. Oftentimes this results in creating a website that looks sloppy. Instead, if the focus is on finding a great template that already feels on brand, and that is relatively clean and simple, then it's much more likely to use it and create a website that stays clean and looks professional."
Mobile optimization is a must. With 89% of diners researching restaurants on their phones and 60% of digital orders coming from mobile devices, your website needs to function seamlessly on smaller screens. Tucker's, a breakfast and lunch spot in New Hampshire, nails this with sticky navigation bars for quick access to "Menu", "Locations", and "Order Online", plus responsive layouts that adapt beautifully to different devices.
Once your template is set, focus on creating a menu layout that drives decisions and boosts sales. Strategic menu design can increase profits by up to 15%, but with the average customer spending just 109 seconds reviewing a menu, every detail counts.
Group items logically into clear categories like appetizers, mains, desserts, and drinks. Within each section, organize by food type (e.g., chicken, seafood) rather than cooking method to align with how customers think. For online menus, use expandable sections to minimize scrolling on mobile.
Highlight high-profit items in areas that naturally draw attention. Research shows the upper-right corner of a menu gets 35% more visual focus. Use boxes, borders, or background colors to make your signature dishes pop - these visual cues can increase selection rates for featured items by up to 70%.
Invest in professional food photography. Images can boost selection rates by 30% and even increase sales by 50% or more. With 46% of Gen Z diners saying food photos influence their choice of restaurant, focus on showcasing your most profitable dishes, signature items, and category headers.
Craft enticing descriptions using sensory language like "crispy", "tender", or "house-made." Highlight cooking methods and key ingredients to add value and justify pricing. Keep it short yet informative - customers want to know what they're ordering without wading through long paragraphs.
Use smart pricing strategies. Drop dollar signs and decimals - display prices as "18" instead of "$18.00" to make them feel less intimidating. Place your priciest item at the top of each category to make other options seem more affordable by comparison. And don’t overcharge for online orders - markups can lead to 37% fewer sales and 78% lower reorder rates.
Make dietary options easy to spot with clear labels like "V" for vegetarian. Offer customization options to let customers personalize their meals, which often increases order value.
Finally, stick with text-based HTML menus instead of PDFs. PDFs are clunky on mobile, slow to load, and hard for search engines to read. HTML menus, on the other hand, are faster, mobile-friendly, and easier to update.
A well-designed menu is just the beginning. To maximize customer satisfaction, your ordering process needs to be smooth and intuitive. Restaurants with online ordering systems see 16% higher average order values, and customers tend to spend up to 20% more online by adding extras and upgrades.
Simplify the checkout process. Customers should be able to navigate, select, and complete their orders quickly. Since 88% of users won’t return after a bad experience, every step needs to be user-friendly.
Keep the checkout process short, especially for mobile users. Automatically generate receipts and offer real-time order tracking with updates like "order received" or "ready for pickup."
Define your delivery zones and schedules clearly. Set boundaries in miles and list any associated fees upfront to avoid surprises. Provide realistic preparation and delivery times to manage customer expectations. Considering that 75% of restaurant traffic now comes from takeout and delivery, these details are critical.
Decide whether to handle delivery in-house or partner with third-party platforms. While third-party services expand reach, they charge 15% to 30% commission per transaction. Direct ordering through your site avoids these fees and gives you full control over the customer experience.
Train your team on the new system. Create designated waiting areas for customers and drivers to keep things organized. Set clear protocols for handling out-of-stock items and special requests. Errors in manual orders can cost up to $4,000 annually, so proper training is key.
Before launching, test everything - from menu items to payment methods - on different devices. Ensure notifications work seamlessly and the entire process feels intuitive. This testing phase is essential to avoid frustrating customers and ensures a smooth experience from discovery to checkout. Together, these steps create a polished, customer-friendly ordering system that sets your restaurant apart.
Incorporating advanced features into your restaurant's operations can elevate efficiency, safeguard your business, and enhance the customer experience. These tools seamlessly integrate with your existing workflows, ensuring your guests enjoy a smooth and satisfying experience.
Payment security is a cornerstone of customer trust. In fact, 40% of diners abandon purchases due to data security concerns, making a secure payment system a must-have.
To meet U.S. PCI DSS standards and avoid penalties of up to $100,000 per month, choose a PCI-compliant payment processor. Here’s a quick look at some popular options:
| Provider | Transaction Fees | Setup Fee | Digital Wallets Supported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% + 30¢ | None | Apple Pay, Google Pay, Microsoft Pay |
| PayPal | 2.9% + 30¢ | None | PayPal, Venmo |
| Square | 2.6% + 10¢ (online) | None | Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Implementing features like SSL/TLS encryption, tokenization, and 3D Secure can significantly reduce data breach risks - by as much as 80%. Additionally, offering multiple payment options is critical. In the U.S., PayPal leads with 36% of digital wallet users, followed by Apple Pay at 20% and Venmo at 16%. A variety of payment methods minimizes friction and boosts conversion rates.
Don’t underestimate the importance of speed and simplicity in payment processing. A delay of just 100 milliseconds can result in a 7% drop in conversions, while nearly 70% of online shoppers abandon their carts due to overly complex checkout processes. Before launching, thoroughly test your payment system in a sandbox environment to ensure smooth handling of transactions, refunds, and disputes. Once live, keep customers informed with real-time updates to build confidence and trust.
Real-time notifications keep customers engaged and informed, with text messages boasting a 98% open rate and 90% being read within three minutes.
Automate notifications for every stage of the order process - confirmation, preparation, pickup, and delivery. Include specific details and estimated times to set clear expectations. For example, custom order statuses like "Order Received", "In Preparation", "Ready for Pickup", and "Out for Delivery" can trigger updates that keep both customers and staff in sync. Sound alerts on restaurant devices and push notifications for staff ensure prompt action, even during busy periods.
Modern ordering platforms simplify this process with pre-built automation, such as sending notifications when an order is received or updating customers when their order is out for delivery. Personalizing these messages adds a thoughtful touch. Instead of a standard "Order received" notification, try something like, "Thanks for ordering your favorite burger! We’re firing up the grill, and your order will be ready in 15 minutes."
For regular customers, consider offering SMS ordering. By setting up keywords that trigger ordering links or special offers, you can create a direct communication channel that bypasses third-party platforms and their fees.
AI-powered assistants can handle routine tasks, giving your team more time to focus on food preparation and in-person service. For $279.99 per month, AI Restaurant Solutions offers an AI phone assistant that manages orders and bookings around the clock, even during peak hours.
These assistants integrate seamlessly with your current ordering system, automatically updating inventory, processing payments, and sending confirmations. Customers can interact with the AI much like they would with a human - placing orders, asking about menu items, or scheduling pickups and deliveries.
AI Restaurant Solutions is also working on advanced features like automated reservation booking, menu inquiries, and peak hour call management. A centralized dashboard consolidates orders from your website, phone system, and platforms like DoorDash and UberEats, eliminating the hassle of juggling multiple devices and reducing errors.
Beyond order management, the AI system provides analytics on call patterns, popular dishes, and peak ordering times. This data can help you fine-tune staffing, adjust your menu, and uncover opportunities for upselling or promotions. For those ready to embrace more advanced AI tools, the upcoming Bytes AI virtual assistant promises to streamline customer interactions from the first call to order completion.
Your custom ordering website is almost ready, but the final steps - testing, launching, and improving - will determine if it becomes a success or a constant headache. Careful attention to these phases will help ensure your site drives revenue and keeps customers happy.
Before hitting "go live", make sure every part of your website works seamlessly. This means testing the ordering process, menu details, and payment systems on all devices. With 71% of consumers placing restaurant orders on mobile devices in 2022, mobile functionality is non-negotiable.
Pay close attention to payment processing. Test every payment method you plan to accept - credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more. Process sample transactions to confirm payments go through smoothly, and double-check that confirmation emails and refund processes work as expected.
Don’t forget your notification system. Place test orders to ensure automated messages, like order confirmations and updates, are sent reliably. With 62% of diners abandoning poorly functioning websites, this step is crucial.
Push your website to its limits by testing edge cases. Try placing large orders, adding special requests, and simulating high-traffic periods. Testing at different times of the day can also reveal potential performance issues. Once everything checks out, you're ready for a controlled launch.
After thorough testing, launch your website with care. Start with a soft rollout during off-peak hours to a limited audience. This approach allows you to catch and address any issues without overwhelming your team.
Monitor every order from start to finish. Watch for delays in notifications, payment errors, or confusion about pickup instructions. Make sure your staff is fully trained on the new system and prepared to assist customers with online orders.
Page speed is critical - use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to ensure load times stay under 2.75 seconds. Even a 0.1-second improvement can boost conversions by 8.4%. Keep an eye on Core Web Vitals, which include metrics like:
Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track traffic, user behavior, and technical issues. Quick problem-solving is essential - 42% of consumers abandon websites with poor functionality.
Once your website is live, the work doesn’t stop. Regular analysis and updates are key to keeping your site performing at its best. Use advanced monitoring tools and AI-powered insights to identify areas for improvement.
Review metrics like conversion rates, average order values, and bounce rates. Tools like heatmaps and session recordings can help you understand how users interact with your site. Gather feedback directly from customers to identify pain points. Keep your website fresh by updating seasonal menus, adjusting prices, and refining business hours.
SEO matters, too. Use location-based keywords and maintain an accurate Google My Business listing to improve search visibility. With 13% of customers using search engines to decide where to order takeout, being easy to find online can directly impact your sales.
Pay attention to online reviews and social media feedback - 94% of diners rely on reviews to make decisions. Responding to concerns quickly and professionally can make a big difference.
Compare direct online orders to those from third-party platforms. A 54% increase in direct orders over third-party platforms in 2023 highlights the growing importance of owning your online channel. AI tools like AI Restaurant Solutions can help you analyze call patterns, popular menu items, and peak ordering times, giving you the data you need to make smart decisions about staffing, menu changes, and promotions.
Remember, small tweaks can lead to big results. For instance, Greyson Clothiers saw a 10.5% revenue boost after improving page layouts and call-to-action buttons. Restaurants offering online ordering have seen revenue increases between 11% and 20%, with customers spending up to 20% more on online orders thanks to add-ons and menu exploration.
Ultimately, your website isn’t just a one-time project - it’s an ongoing opportunity. By staying proactive and adapting to customer needs, you can turn your online ordering system into a powerful tool for growth.
Creating a custom ordering website isn’t just about having an online presence - it’s about building a direct revenue channel that gives you control over your customer relationships and profits. With 77% of diners visiting a restaurant's website before deciding to place an order online, your website has become a cornerstone of your business strategy.
To make the most of this opportunity, start with clear planning. Define what you want to achieve - whether it’s boosting online orders, increasing dine-in traffic, or both. Opt for a platform tailored to restaurants, one that comes with built-in e-commerce features, instead of relying on generic website builders that require extra plugins and workarounds.
A good design is non-negotiable. With mobile devices driving nearly 65% of global web traffic, your site must perform flawlessly on smartphones. Keep the layout simple, ensure your menu is available as text for easy browsing, and prominently display your address and phone number on every page. Don’t underestimate the power of visuals - high-quality food photography can make a lasting impression. If hiring a professional photographer isn’t feasible, consider collaborating with talented photography students for a budget-friendly solution.
On the technical side, solid foundations are key. Your website should have secure payment processing, real-time order notifications, and fast loading speeds. It needs to handle peak traffic without crashing and provide customers with clear order confirmations and updates. These elements work together to ensure a seamless experience for your customers.
Direct online ordering can transform your business. For example, in 2025, Dulan's on Crenshaw saw nearly 20% higher average order values through their direct ordering system compared to third-party platforms. Christian Ferrell, the General Manager at Dulan's, shared how this shift has impacted their business:
"Online Ordering helps us appear like we have our own ecommerce platform, with our own branding. Our website gets hundreds of hits every day, and it turns those website visitors into actual sales. That's having a huge impact on our business."
The numbers speak for themselves. Restaurants with online ordering often see revenue increases between 11% and 20%, and online ordering can boost sales by up to 8% of your marketplace sales.
AI-powered tools are also becoming game-changers in the industry. Features like voice ordering, chatbots, and personalized menu recommendations not only streamline operations but also enhance the customer experience. With 72% of diners believing technology improves their dining experience, incorporating AI can give your restaurant a competitive edge.
For restaurant owners looking to take the leap, AI Restaurant Solutions offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed specifically for the industry. Their Web & App plan, priced at $259.99 per month, includes custom-branded websites, unlimited graphic design services, SEO optimization, and detailed analytics. Pair it with their AI Phone Assistants for $279.99 per month, and you’ll have a fully integrated digital system that manages orders effortlessly across all channels.
The restaurant industry has shifted significantly, with nearly 75% of traffic now coming from off-premises orders. A custom ordering website isn’t just a convenience - it’s a necessity for capturing this growing market and keeping more of your profits where they belong: in your pocket.
A custom ordering website puts your restaurant in the driver’s seat when it comes to customer interactions, branding, and revenue. Unlike third-party platforms that take a hefty cut through commission fees, your own website lets you keep those earnings while offering a tailored experience that keeps customers coming back.
Having your own platform also means access to valuable customer data - like order history and preferences. This information can help you fine-tune operations, design targeted promotions, and ultimately increase your bottom line. Plus, you’ll have the freedom to manage your menu, adjust pricing, and roll out special offers without restrictions. It’s a smart way to boost profits while creating lasting connections with your customers.
AI tools can play a big role in upgrading your restaurant's online ordering system. For example, they can handle order-taking through voice and chat assistants, cutting down on human errors and speeding up the entire process. This means customers get a smoother, hassle-free experience.
On top of that, AI can dive into your sales data to spot trends and predict demand. This helps with inventory management, ensuring you stock just what you need and waste less. By improving accuracy, simplifying operations, and enhancing customer satisfaction, these tools can make your restaurant more efficient and even boost your revenue.
To make your custom ordering website work effortlessly on mobile devices, focus on a responsive design that adapts smoothly to various screen sizes. Ensure pages load fast, the navigation remains straightforward, and buttons are large enough to tap easily on smaller screens.
Structure your menu with clear categories, eye-catching, high-quality images, and a straightforward ordering process. Highlight important details - like contact information or popular menu items - at the top of the page for easy access. These adjustments help create a seamless mobile experience, making it more likely for users to place orders.