Why Every Restaurant Needs a Website (Yes, Even If You're on Instagram)
Why Every Restaurant Needs a Website (Yes, Even If You're on Instagram)
If you own a restaurant in 2025, chances are you’re active on social media—especially Instagram. You're posting mouthwatering food shots, announcing specials, and giving your followers a peek behind the scenes.
But here’s the truth:
👉 Social media isn’t a substitute for a website.
As a Squarespace Gold member with experience building 20+ restaurant websites, I’ve seen how a well-designed site can elevate a restaurant’s visibility, improve customer experience, and help owners take control of their brand.
Here’s why your restaurant needs more than an Instagram account:
1. You Own the Experience
Social platforms control how your business is seen. One algorithm change and your visibility drops. But with your own website, you're in charge.
With Squarespace, you can customize your restaurant's:
Brand visuals
Typography and layout
Menu design
Booking experience
You’re not just borrowing space—you’re building a home for your brand.
2. One Place for Everything
On Instagram, finding your menu, hours, or address can be a guessing game. Your website brings it all together:
Full menu (with allergen info or downloadable PDFs)
Location and map
Business hours
Online reservations
Links to delivery services
Squarespace templates make this layout intuitive and beautiful.
3. Your Website Helps You Rank on Google
Instagram posts won’t get you found on Google—but a well-optimized website will.
With proper SEO for restaurants, you can rank for:
“Best tacos in [your city]”
“Vegan brunch near me”
“Greek restaurant open now”
I help restaurants build SEO-ready Squarespace websites that perform just as well as they look.
4. Take Back Control of Online Orders and Reservations
Stop giving away profits to third-party apps.
With the right integrations (like OpenTable, Tock, or Squarespace Scheduling), you can:
Take reservations
Accept online orders
Sell gift cards
Book private dining events
All from your own website—no middleman, no commission.
5. Your Website Builds Trust
Customers expect legit businesses to have a professional website.
It signals that you’re serious, trustworthy, and established. It gives them confidence to book a table, plan an event, or order online.
No one should lose a customer because they couldn’t find your menu link in your Instagram bio.
6. You Get Real Insights
Unlike Instagram, your website gives you powerful tools to track behavior:
What menu pages people visit
Where visitors are located
How they found you (Google, social, direct)
Which buttons they click
This data is gold for restaurant marketing strategy.
7. Your Website Grows With You
Launching brunch service? Adding catering? Selling merch?
Your Squarespace website can scale with your restaurant. You can add:
A blog for recipes or chef stories
A gallery of private events
An online store
Email newsletter signup
Reservation or event request forms
You don’t need a developer—just a partner who understands both Squarespace and restaurants.
The Bottom Line
Instagram is great for engagement—but it should complement your website, not replace it.
A professional restaurant website is your:
✅ Home base
✅ Booking engine
✅ Menu display
✅ SEO tool
✅ Brand anchor
It’s your most powerful digital asset—and one you own.
Need Help Creating Your Restaurant Website?
Whether you’re just getting started or ready to level up, I specialize in Squarespace websites for restaurants that look great and perform even better.
🔗 Get in touch for a free consult
🔗 View my restaurant website portfolio
🔗 Learn more about my Squarespace services
