Restaurant owners: choosing the right domain name for your website

Have you ever thought about the importance of an attractive domain name for your restaurant 's website? 

And with good reason: a strong domain name is essential to attracting and retaining your guests. When creating a website, choosing the right domain name can have a significant impact on your online visibility and commercial success. 

In this guide, we reveal 6 essential tips for choosing a domain name that will leave no one indifferent and that will be in perfect harmony with your brand identity.

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Domain name definition

The domain name is the online address of your website. It's made up of words, names and/or numbers, sometimes separated by a hyphen. It's the numerical equivalent of a telephone number or postal address.

Without these elements, without the number or address, it's impossible to access your contacts. Similarly, without a domain name, it's impossible to access, identify or find your restaurant's website online. For example, a domain name might be www.bagelcorner.fr or www.alfitradition.fr are examples of domain names ending in an extension.

You can obtain a domain name from a registrar, such as WHOIS. This registrar is responsible for managing and reserving domain names that have already been registered.

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How do you find the perfect domain name?

1. The name of your restaurant

It's crucial to choose a domain name that perfectly represents your restaurant, and that includes your own restaurant. Your domain name will be your online signature, appearing on your business cards, as well as in the press and on sites such as TripAdvisor.

2. Short URLs

Keep it simple and concise. The most effective URLs are short and easy to remember, without excessive use of hyphens.

3. Domain name availability

Make sure the domain name is available and complies with the law.

The availability of a domain name in your search does not necessarily mean that you can use it legally. Take the time to check whether it is protected by a trademark. Likewise, if you have a registered trademark, you may find that certain people or companies are abusing a domain name corresponding to your name. In this case, you'll need to take the necessary steps to recover your domain name.

4. An extension that matches your geographical location

Choose an extension that corresponds to your market, whether geographic (.com, .fr, .eu) or thematic. Whenever possible, opt for a domain name that represents your country or the target market of your restaurant or franchise.

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Create the perfect website for your restaurant

Find out how to create your restaurant 's website!

Check domain name availability

The first step in choosing a domain name for your restaurant is to check its availability. You can easily do a free online search on this site to see if the domain name you want to use is already taken. If it is available, you can reserve or buy it.

However, domain name and hosting are two different things! A domain name is the web address that points to your website, while hosting is the storage space where your website files are hosted.

Once you've reserved your domain name, don't forget to renew it periodically. 

When it comes to hosting, you'll need to choose a reliable web hosting service provider that meets your needs in terms of storage capacity, bandwidth and technical features.

Take the time to compare the options available on the market and make sure you choose an available domain name and protect your brand by registering it legally. This will ensure a solid and secure online presence for your restaurant!

Choosing the technology for your website

Now it's time to decide how to build your restaurant website! CMS or web-builder? 

A CMS is a software platform that makes it easy to create, manage and update your website. It offers flexibility and in-depth customization to meet your specific needs. Popular CMS include WordPress, Joomla and Drupal. They offer many features and a wide variety of themes and plugins to customize your site.

A web builder, on the other hand, is a tool that lets you create your own site without the need for advanced technical skills. It offers an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface for quickly creating attractive sites. Examples include Wix, Weebly and Squarespace.

Prepare all the necessary elements for your website

As a restaurant manager, you need to prepare all the necessary elements for your website. These will enable you to provide visitors with all relevant information about your restaurant. Here's what you need to consider when preparing your site:

1. Quality photos

Be sure to include high-quality photos of your food, your interior, your team and any other distinctive features of your establishment. 

2. Information content

Present your restaurant in an engaging way, highlighting its history, philosophy and values. Describe your menus, including ingredients, vegetarian or gluten-free options, and highlight signature dishes. Don't forget to include information on opening times, location and contact details.

3. Menu prices and booking options

To make it easier for visitors to decide, clearly display your menu prices. Indicate whether you offer special formulas, daily menus or menus for special events. If you accept reservations, highlight online booking options or contact details so guests can book a table easily.

4. Customer testimonials and reviews

Include positive testimonials from satisfied customers on your site to build trust and give your establishment a positive image. You can also integrate customer reviews from popular online review platforms such as Google, TripAdvisor or Yelp.

👉 To find out more: How to set menu prices in your restaurant

Manage marketing communications for your new site

How do you get the word out about your new site? 

• By sharing it on social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TiktoK, Snapchat, LinkedIn...). 
• By optimizing your website for visibility, in particular through SEO. 
• You can also use word-of-mouth to talk directly to your guests! 
• And don't forget to take advantage of the QR codes displayed in your restaurant (at tables, entrances, cash registers) to link directly to your website. 

👉 Find out more about QR codes for your restaurant

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Would you like to set up an online ordering site for your restaurant? Contact an Innovorder expert!