When you visit a restaurant’s website, what kind of information do you usually look for? Of course, it depends on the situation. If you’re just picking a place for lunch, you might focus on different details than when searching for a spot to host an important business meeting or a date.
In our case, more than half the time, we’re simply checking the location and business hours—and we suspect many people do the same.
Yet, surprisingly, many restaurant websites still open with a huge image or an abstract video that doesn’t tell visitors anything useful. It seems that for some web designers, the goal is to make a cool-looking website rather than one that actually serves the customer’s needs.
As a result, key information like address, phone number, or hours is often buried deep within the site, hard to find with just one click.
This is where Google truly excels. On the right side of its search results, you’ll see the restaurant’s hours, phone number, address, and map at a glance—thanks to Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), a free service that provides exactly what users want most.
In fact, according to several restaurant owners we’ve spoken with, many customers don’t even visit the official website anymore—they get all the information they need directly from Google.
Of course, a website’s visual appeal is important too, but basic information like hours and location is even more essential. While big chains and fast-food restaurants may keep consistent schedules, smaller or independent restaurants that have irregular holidays or changing hours should make sure to update their Google Business information regularly.
A stylish design might attract attention—but accurate, easy-to-find details are what truly bring customers through the door.
