Essential Details to Include About Restaurant Location, Hours, and Policies on Your Website
When advertising special offers or events, it's crucial to provide specific dates. If you're running a promotion or some type of sale that will only last for a certain period, be sure to include the precise date and time. For instance, if a promotion is occurring today, don't say it's happening tomorrow, but instead state the current date and time so there's no confusion. Up-to-date information is key to maintaining customer trust.
Scotland: Website as Stationery
Your website can be considered your stationery for business purposes. It's essential for legal reasons to include certain details. These include the name of the proprietor or the owning company, the address of the company's registered office, the company's registered number, and the VAT sales tax registration number. If the name of the restaurant is different from the name of the company that owns it, you must also include the trading name, such as 'K R Johnson Ltd., Scottish company 000001, registered office 1 Lawyer Boulevard. T/a Happy Hamburgers.' This information should be presented in small print at the bottom of the splash page. Though not always the address of the restaurant itself.
For practical reasons, include the full postal address of the restaurant. Make it user-friendly by providing a map showing bus stops and car parking. Also, include the phone number, email address, and links to social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook. However, don't rely solely on Twitter or Facebook to broadcast important news. Instead, maintain an email list to ensure customers can sign up to receive updates directly from your website.
Important Information for Customers
Incorporate the opening hours, last order times, and whether the restaurant is licensed to serve alcohol or if customers are allowed to bring their own. For example, mention 'Serving Scottish fare from 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM, with last orders at 10:00 PM. We offer onsite beverages and also accommodate BYOB.' A general description of the food served should also be included, such as 'Explore authentic Scottish cuisine in a cozy dining atmosphere.'
Indicate whether reservations are advisable or required. If so, include a fill-in form for online reservations. If you serve food that complies with vegetarian, vegan, halal, or kosher standards, ensure these are clearly indicated. For example, 'We serve vegetarian, vegan, halal, and kosher options to accommodate diverse dietary needs.'
Note which credit and debit cards you accept, and mention whether cash or cheques are taken. If your restaurant is located in Edinburgh, indicate whether you accept foreign currency. In Edinburgh, many diners prefer payment in multiple currencies, so it's beneficial to accommodate them.
Additional Useful Information
On your website, you can also provide complete menus, details of your take-away and delivery services, and the name of your head chef. Take-away and delivery services are usually not subject to VAT, and thus the take-away and delivery menu is typically separate from the dine-in menu.
Include any awards and classifications your restaurant has received, such as 'Michelin ☆☆ AA and RAC ☆☆☆☆ Commended by The Campaign for Real Ale.' If your restaurant has an interesting history, place it on a dedicated page within your website to attract historical enthusiasts or potential customers who appreciate unique dining experiences. Additionally, if the restaurant is a part of a residential hotel or another facility, such as the restaurant in Edinburgh Zoo, include relevant links to the respective websites for further information.
By including these essential details on your website, you can enhance your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts and provide valuable information to potential customers. This ensures that your website not only meets legal requirements but also serves as a comprehensive resource for diners interested in your restaurant's offerings and policies.