In 2026, restaurant websites typically range from €15–€80/month for DIY builders to €2,000–€12,000+ for professional builds, depending on scope and features.
If you want a broader view of how a restaurant website drives visibility, bookings, and long-term growth in 2026, this complete guide explains the full strategy.
Trying to estimate restaurant website pricing in 2026? The final cost depends on your goals. A simple site with menu and hours costs less than one with reservations, online ordering, or gift cards.
This guide explains what drives price, when DIY makes sense, and how to compare upfront and ongoing fees without surprises.
Table of content
Why restaurant website cost varies in 2026
Your goals change the price
The first driver is your goal. A site that only shows hours and a menu is not the same as one that takes bookings, online orders, and gift card sales. Scope grows with ambition, and the budget follows.
Think of it like a kitchen: a coffee station is cheaper than a full hot line. If you want online ordering, delivery areas, and POS sync (POS is your point‑of‑sale checkout system), you are building the “full line,” not the coffee corner.
To make choices easier, group your needs into clear outcomes. Outcomes remove guesswork and keep quotes comparable.
Here’s a simple way to categorize your goals:
Visibility only: clear info, photos, and an up‑to‑date menu.
Lead and booking focused: reservations, private dining inquiries, events.
Revenue online: ordering, delivery, gift cards, upsells.
Brand building: custom design, storytelling, press kit, hiring page.
Platform and build method
Your platform is the “kitchen equipment.” DIY builders, WordPress templates, restaurant‑specific subscriptions, and fully custom builds each change the price of a restaurant website. More flexibility usually means more setup and maintenance.
DIY builders bundle hosting and security and are quick to launch. Template‑based WordPress offers more control and integrations but needs ongoing care. Restaurant‑specific services include reservations or ordering, yet often add per‑order or per‑cover fees (per‑order = a fee or percentage per online order; per‑cover = a fee per guest booked). Custom builds fit unique workflows and branding, and need a larger initial budget. Common options include Squarespace, Wix (often chosen for its ease of use, but generally more limited than other platforms once you need performance, SEO flexibility, or advanced features), and WordPress. Reservations and POS tools include OpenTable, Resy, Tock, Square, and Toast.
Many owners compare WordPress vs Squarespace for restaurants. Newer options like no-code tools or AI-assisted website builders also exist, but they are usually best suited for very simple setups. Choose the platform that fits your skills, design needs, and long-term growth plans.
Location and timeline affect budget
Urgent timelines increase cost because they compress design, approvals, and testing. Rushed work limits exploration. It also raises the risk of post‑launch fixes.
Your location also matters. Multi‑language content, local regulations, and photography availability can change costs. If you serve tourists, you may need translation, accessible menus, and stronger mobile performance to convert first‑time visitors.
Key cost drivers for a modern restaurant site
Design and user experience choices
Design affects how quickly guests find what they need. Clean layout, large readable text, and clear buttons reduce friction and support bookings. Bespoke branding takes more time than a lightly customized template, and that influences price.
User experience includes how guests move from menu to reservation in one tap. It also covers mobile thumb‑friendly navigation, color contrast for readability, and clear allergy notes. These choices protect guest trust and reduce calls to the venue.
Menu, reservations, and ordering features
Menus look simple, but “menu management” is a real feature. You may want daily specials, seasonal sections, filters for vegan and gluten‑free, or printable PDFs. Each layer adds setup and testing.
Reservations and ordering add more moving parts: availability rules, deposits, table limits, kitchen lead times, and delivery zones. Integrations with booking and ordering providers also affect ongoing costs through monthly or per‑order fees.
SEO, accessibility, and performance standards
SEO means “help people find you on Google.” Basics include clear page titles, structured data for restaurants (extra code that explains your info to Google), and accurate hours. Adding Restaurant structured data helps search engines understand your menu and location. You can test it with Google’s Rich Results Test.
Local visibility depends on a complete Google Business Profile. Keep hours, categories, and photos updated so your website and profile tell the same story. Use Google Search Console to see what pages rank and to fix indexing issues.
Performance is page speed — how fast pages load and respond. In 2026, Google measures responsiveness with INP (a speed metric). Use PageSpeed Insights to find slow images and scripts. Faster sites convert more guests because people don’t wait. For example, test your busiest menu flows on a 4G connection, not office Wi‑Fi.
Accessibility means everyone can use your site, including people using screen readers. In the US, ADA is the disability law. Following WCAG 2.2 guidelines for contrast, keyboard navigation, and descriptive links helps you meet it. Accessible menus reduce complaints and legal risk. For a deeper understanding of responsiveness, see Google’s overview of INP: Interaction to Next Paint.
DIY vs professional web design for restaurants
What you get at each level and the trade-offs
There’s no “best” path. Choose what matches your capacity and goals. Every option trades time, money, and flexibility. These broad ranges help you compare the cost to build a restaurant website:
DIY builders: often $15–$40 per month.
Template on WordPress: commonly low‑to‑mid four figures to set up, plus $20–$50 per month in hosting/licenses.
Restaurant‑specific subscriptions: typically $100–$400 per month, sometimes plus per‑order or per‑cover fees.
Custom professional builds: higher upfront investment with an ongoing support plan.
DIY builder: fast to launch with bundled hosting and templates. Trade‑offs: limited layouts, extra time on your side, and potential design sameness.
Template on a content management system: more control and integrations. Trade‑offs: plugin updates, security care, and learning curve.
Restaurant‑specific subscription: reservations, ordering, and table tools in one place. Trade‑offs: per‑order or per‑cover fees and less design freedom.
Professional custom build: strategy, design, and integrations tailored to your brand. Trade‑offs: higher upfront cost and the need for a clear content plan. This is often where total restaurant web design cost goes up, but so do results.
When to choose a template, WordPress, or a subscription builder
Choose a DIY builder if you need a simple site fast and are comfortable updating content yourself. It’s great for pop‑ups, food trucks, or testing a new concept.
Choose a template‑based content system if you want more control over design, multiple integrations, and plan for growth. It fits single venues aiming to scale.
Choose a restaurant‑specific subscription if reservations or ordering are your main focus and you accept ongoing platform fees for built‑in tools. This is a common template vs custom web design crossroad. Many owners weigh WordPress vs Squarespace for restaurants before deciding.
How to switch platforms without losing data
Moving later is normal. Do it step by step to protect traffic and bookings. Plan the switch before your busy periods.
Export what you can: menus, photos, booking data, and redirects from the old site.
Rebuild key pages on a private “staging” version (a test copy not public) and test links, forms, and checkout.
Set 301 redirects (a permanent “this page moved here” sign) so old URLs point to the new ones. This preserves Google rankings.
Keep the same domain. If you must change it, update all links and signage.
Launch during a quiet hour. Monitor orders, bookings, and contact forms live. Tip: ask for a support response time that covers dinner service, for example replies within 2–4 hours.
Update your Google Business Profile and social bios with the new links.
Upfront and ongoing costs to run a restaurant site
Domain, hosting, SSL, and essential licenses
Your domain is the address (like yourname.com). It renews yearly. Keep it registered in your name so you fully own it. Tip: store login details in a shared, secure place.
Hosting is where your site lives. Some builders include it; others need a separate plan. Match hosting to your traffic and features. This is where many domain, hosting, SSL costs sit.
SSL is the security lock icon. Many hosts include free SSL via Let’s Encrypt. Paid certificates are used for special cases.
Licenses cover premium templates, booking add‑ons, fonts, or icons. Track renewal dates so features don’t break unexpectedly.
Support, maintenance, and content updates
Maintenance means updates, backups, and security checks. Small, regular care prevents big emergencies. This is the core of website maintenance costs for restaurants.
Support helps when forms stop working, a plugin breaks, or you need a new page. Choose a response time that fits your service level.
Content updates include menus, holiday hours, seasonal photos, and events. Plan who does what and how fast changes go live.
Third-party subscriptions and per-order fees
Reservations tools often charge a monthly fee or a per‑cover fee. Ordering systems may take a per‑order percentage or a flat subscription.
Payment processing adds transaction fees. Make sure you understand all inbox, SMS, or marketing send costs if you use them.
Compare predictable monthly costs with usage‑based fees. Look past the headline price to the true monthly total during busy seasons.
Features restaurants need that influence price
Mobile-first menus and dietary labels
Most guests check menus on their phone. Use large text, clear sections, and tap‑friendly buttons. Keep file sizes small for speed.
Dietary labels (vegan, gluten‑free, nuts) build trust and reduce staff time answering the same questions. Filters and icons add setup time but improve the experience.
Reservations, ordering, gift cards, and POS connections
Reservations need rules: deposits, time slots, and no‑show policies. Ordering needs pickup/delivery windows and kitchen pacing. These settings affect complexity and cost.
Gift cards and POS links help reconcile sales and inventory. They require testing to avoid mismatched orders or duplicate tickets. Reliable integrations save staff time. This is where restaurant reservation system integration and restaurant POS integration can add to ongoing costs.
Multi-location needs, maps, reviews, and local SEO
Each location should have its own page with hours, photos, and menu. This helps guests and improves local search visibility.
Maps, parking notes, and public transit details reduce no‑shows. Add clear phone numbers and click‑to‑call buttons for each venue.
Show reviews and press quotes with permission. Consistent name, address, and phone across your website and listings helps local rankings.
Pricing traps and false savings to avoid in 2026
Low entry offers with high lock-in or commissions
“Free website” offers often come with high per‑order or per‑cover fees. Over time, those fees can exceed a stable monthly plan. Check contract length and exit steps before you sign.
Ask who owns your domain, design, and data. If you cannot export your menu and orders, you are renting your website, not owning it.
Hidden costs in templates, plugins, and custom code
Premium templates and plugins may renew yearly. If you skip renewals, features can stop working. Track renewals like you track food suppliers.
Custom code can be powerful, but document it. Without notes, another developer may need extra time to maintain or update it.
Slow or inaccessible sites that hurt bookings
Large images, video backgrounds, and heavy scripts slow pages. Slow pages mean fewer bookings. Test with PageSpeed Insights and optimize images first.
Inaccessible menus or low contrast text make it hard for some guests to read. Following WCAG 2.2 keeps your site usable and reduces complaints. If you serve US guests, aim for an ADA compliant restaurant website.
Set a realistic website budget based on your goals
New single location aiming for visibility
Focus on the essentials: clear homepage, menu, hours, contact, and simple reservation link. Invest in good photos and copy before fancy features.
Choose a builder or a light template to launch fast. Set aside time to keep hours, specials, and holiday notes updated each week.
Claim and fill your Google Business Profile. Add structured data so search engines understand your restaurant type and location.
Established venue adding online ordering
Start with your operations: pickup windows, kitchen capacity, delivery radius, and refunds. Technology should match how your team works.
Pick an ordering system with transparent fees. Plan a simple checkout, clear menu modifiers, and accurate prep times.
Test the full flow on mobile: add to cart, pay, confirmation, and pickup instructions. Friction here directly impacts revenue.
Growing multi-location brand needing scale
Plan for consistency: brand components, shared menu items, and permissions for managers. You want updates once, not three times per location.
Build location pages with unique content: neighborhood info, parking, and local photos. This supports local SEO and avoids duplicate content.
Agree on a maintenance plan for performance, accessibility, and quarterly improvements. Scaling is smoother when small fixes happen regularly.
Budget in 3 steps:
List must‑haves vs nice‑to‑haves tied to your goals.
Note monthly limits, including platform, hosting, and any per‑order or per‑cover fees.
Pick the simplest plan that covers must‑haves and test it on mobile before launch.
Now you know how restaurant web design cost changes with your goals, features like reservations or ordering, design choices, and the ongoing care a site needs. Use these ranges and tips to compare DIY and professional paths, avoid false savings, and protect page speed, accessibility, and bookings. Start with a clear goal and a simple plan you can keep updated.
FAQ common questions on restaurant website cost
How much does it cost to build a restaurant website in 2026?
It depends on your goals and features. A simple info site is cheaper than a site with reservations, online ordering, gift cards, and POS (point‑of‑sale) links. Costs come from design, menu management, integrations, hosting, and ongoing support. To compare fairly, look at setup plus monthly fees, not just a single number for restaurant website cost.
Is it cheaper to build a website yourself or hire a professional?
DIY is usually cheaper upfront but takes your time and may limit design and features. Hiring a pro costs more at the start, but you get strategy, faster pages, and better accessibility that can protect bookings. For a true picture of restaurant website cost, add platform fees, per‑order or per‑cover fees (a fee per online order or per guest booked), and the hours you’ll spend on updates.
How long does it take to build a restaurant website?
A simple site can be ready in days; a feature‑rich site with reservations or ordering often needs a few weeks. Timelines grow when you need custom design, new photos, translations, or complex integrations. Rush work costs more because there’s less time for reviews and testing.
What should a restaurant website include?
Clear menu, hours, location with map, phone with click‑to‑call, and direct links to reservations or ordering. Make the menu mobile‑first with dietary labels and allergy notes. Keep pages fast and accessible by following WCAG 2.2 (simple rules that help everyone use your site).
How much does website maintenance cost?
Maintenance covers updates, backups (safe copies of your site), security checks, and content changes like menus and holiday hours. DIY tools bundle some basics, but you still spend time on checks; professional builds often use a monthly support plan. Good plans also watch page speed and accessibility so forms, bookings, and payments keep working smoothly.
How much does website hosting cost per month?
Many website builders include hosting in the subscription, so there’s no separate hosting bill. With WordPress or similar systems, you choose a hosting plan sized to your traffic and features and add SSL (the lock icon) for security. Pick a provider known for reliability (your site stays online) and quick support, especially during peak dining hours.
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