Website - takeaway.

[russy01]

Need to build a small 3-5 page website for a local takeaway. Using a smart drag and drop type editor (not enough code experience).

They do not have the budget or desire to go all out app and ordering system just yet. Think: Home page, reviews, menu.

What cheap packages would you recommend? Years ago I’ve used things like Wix and 123reg site builder...

What do you recommend in 2020.

[Sy1441]

SquareSpace

[DSLiverpool]

I’m aware of these guys but have no experience with them.

https://www.etakeawaymax.co.uk/takeaway-website-de...

[Badvok]

Mobirise

Free and easy to use

[jammy-git]

Webflow.

[kev1974]

Chip shop near me uses this site for their website and online ordering
https://www.foodbooking.com/

It's basic but very much does the job it needs to. Seems to be every bit as good as just eat and other food ordering websites, in that I put together my order, it transfers it to the chip shop, 30 seconds or so later they confirm acceptance of the order and get cooking.

[jonamv8]

I had a chat with a BDM at WIX the other day, they now claim that WIX can do anything a WordPress website can but with far higher security and no need for maintenance, could be worth a look for something basic with minimum ongoing input

[akirk]

jonamv8 said:

I had a chat with a BDM at WIX the other day, they now claim that WIX can do anything a WordPress website can but with far higher security and no need for maintenance, could be worth a look for something basic with minimum ongoing input

I am sure that they do claim that! - yet Wix websites still seem to be some of the most structurally broken out there - so there are some fundamental issues somewhere - wouldn't touch them with a barge pole...

[RM]

akirk said:

jonamv8 said:

I had a chat with a BDM at WIX the other day, they now claim that WIX can do anything a WordPress website can but with far higher security and no need for maintenance, could be worth a look for something basic with minimum ongoing input

I am sure that they do claim that! - yet Wix websites still seem to be some of the most structurally broken out there - so there are some fundamental issues somewhere - wouldn't touch them with a barge pole...

I wouldn't either.

There's no reason they can't go straight to online ordering if they want. Have a look at Yoello as a standalone or Ecwid as a widget in an existing site. Have a look at the EPoS system they are using too, many now have web-based apps that will integrate easily.

[emperorburger]

All the business these days (for better or worse) goes to Just Eat, Deliveroo or Uber Eats. Customers are not interested in trawling the web for grub.

Why does a takeaway need their own website in 2020?

[russy01]

emperorburger said:

All the business these days (for better or worse) goes to Just Eat, Deliveroo or Uber Eats. Customers are not interested in trawling the web for grub.

Why does a takeaway need their own website in 2020?

Sorely mistaken I am afraid.. this might be the case in some urban areas. But in our rural area services such as the above simply do not operate!

JustEat does, but has a single Kebab shop for my postcode - who have just invested in their own website as they are sick of JustEat taking 25% and charging the consumer.

Plenty of reasons to have their own basic website: advertising their various menus, advertising catering services - a lot of traffic from TripAdvisor etc.

Cheers.

[emperorburger]

russy01 said:

Sorely mistaken I am afraid.. this might be the case in some urban areas. But in our rural area services such as the above simply do not operate!

JustEat does, but has a single Kebab shop for my postcode - who have just invested in their own website as they are sick of JustEat taking 25% and charging the consumer.

Plenty of reasons to have their own basic website: advertising their various menus, advertising catering services - a lot of traffic from TripAdvisor etc.

Cheers.

The sentiment is admirable but the reality is different. Locals will already know of this establishment and will get off their backsides and visit the place or pick up the phone for a delivery. Rural areas are not unique.

[illmonkey]

I am in a semi-rural place, with maybe 5 places offering takeaway. None are on JE. I will visit their website to view a menu or even order. Even if they were on JE, why use that when they take a cut, for their delivery drivers to not care about the product? Most places you need to preorder from, as they can't keep up with the orders.

To say any business in 2020 should not have a webpage/FB/Insta is ludicrous! Everything is about online.

[russy01]

emperorburger said:

The sentiment is admirable but the reality is different. Locals will already know of this establishment and will get off their backsides and visit the place or pick up the phone for a delivery. Rural areas are not unique.

The reality is that my points stand (they cannot be found via the apps you speak of - nor can any in my area) and the takeaway owner wants to spend a small amount of money on a basic website to represent his business. So advice on that basis would be great... thanks.

[emperorburger]

illmonkey said:

I am in a semi-rural place, with maybe 5 places offering takeaway. None are on JE. I will visit their website to view a menu or even order. Even if they were on JE, why use that when they take a cut, for their delivery drivers to not care about the product? Most places you need to preorder from, as they can't keep up with the orders.

To say any business in 2020 should not have a webpage/FB/Insta is ludicrous! Everything is about online.

It's an emotive subject, however convenience and consolidation will prevail, even (eventually) in the sticks. It's a race to the bottom in respect of margin whilst keeping the review scores high.

[emperorburger]

russy01 said:

The reality is that my points stand (they cannot be found via the apps you speak of - nor can any in my area) and the takeaway owner wants to spend a small amount of money on a basic website to represent his business. So advice on that basis would be great... thanks.

The point is, they could be found through the apps I speak of and in turn instantly reach a wider audience, certainly if they have their own delivery service. They could be in a unique position, however for whatever reason the cost of entry seems unacceptable.

[akirk]

emperorburger said:

It's an emotive subject, however convenience and consolidation will prevail, even (eventually) in the sticks. It's a race to the bottom in respect of margin whilst keeping the review scores high.

or not

if as some suggest you should use an aggregator to promote your business - a) you need your head screwed on and b) the logic would go that eventually the aggregator serves no purpose and will go out of business...

it used to be that business owners didn't know how to market / there were perceptions of high cost of entry into a website etc....
however, the trend we are seeing across lots of our clients is that increasingly they are moving out of the portals (whether food / holiday booking / house rental / etc.) and going alone. There are a number of reasons for this:
- the ability to do your own website is so much easier now with simple booking / ordering systems to plug in
- the cost being charged by the aggregator websites / apps is very large (10s of thousands can be saved by not using them - easy therefore to invest in your own website and marketing)
- the premise of the aggregator is wider exposure / better marketing - but, the more of your competitors who can be found on there, the less that is the case - you are still just one of thousands on there and the marketing / search system gives little more than Google does - and at a much higher cost.
- in many cases they have built regular client bases to whom they market directly

there comes a tipping point where it makes more sense to do your own thing - you will see lots of companies on Amazon putting in a flyer saying - buy from them and get 5% / 10% discount etc. this is simply companies using a marketplace or aggregator as a cost of building business - worth it only if it builds to the point where they can exit and manage their own clients without a large % being taken...

Is the writing on the wall for the aggregators - yes, possibly, not immediately, but long term I would see less and less reason to use them...

so, sorry - have to disagree, the wise business is investing in owning their own customers and taking the full money from them...
anyway, enough of this, and back to the new website I am building for a restaurant client of ours who doesn't use Deliveroo or Just Eat!

[Anonymous-poster]

emperorburger said:

russy01 said:

The reality is that my points stand (they cannot be found via the apps you speak of - nor can any in my area) and the takeaway owner wants to spend a small amount of money on a basic website to represent his business. So advice on that basis would be great... thanks.

The point is, they could be found through the apps I speak of and in turn instantly reach a wider audience, certainly if they have their own delivery service. They could be in a unique position, however for whatever reason the cost of entry seems unacceptable.

In a city environment with competition being great these companies are probably essential but in smaller towns losing large % of turnover just doesn’t add up if you have a busy established buisiness.

[akirk]

Anonymous-poster said:

emperorburger said:

russy01 said:

The reality is that my points stand (they cannot be found via the apps you speak of - nor can any in my area) and the takeaway owner wants to spend a small amount of money on a basic website to represent his business. So advice on that basis would be great... thanks.

The point is, they could be found through the apps I speak of and in turn instantly reach a wider audience, certainly if they have their own delivery service. They could be in a unique position, however for whatever reason the cost of entry seems unacceptable.

In a city environment with competition being great these companies are probably essential but in smaller towns losing large % of turnover just doesn’t add up if you have a busy established buisiness.

I used to live in the Cotswolds - they didn't deliver
I now live in Bristol - most people I know go direct to the restaurant (there are no doubt many who use Deliveroo / Just Eat)
If everyone is on there, how does that give any advantage over your competition - it gives the good business owner no ability to differentiate themselves - other than on cost, yet food is about so much more than just cost - it is a really bad thing for decent eateries... perhaps that is why lots of foodies will not support them?

[russy01]

emperorburger said:

The point is, they could be found through the apps I speak of and in turn instantly reach a wider audience, certainly if they have their own delivery service. They could be in a unique position, however for whatever reason the cost of entry seems unacceptable.

They wouldnt - the apps you speak of are not actively promoted in the area and the locals are fully aware that systems like this never take off around here...

Thus businesses rely on more traditional means, have and encourage better customer loyalty and don’t need to spend their hard earned on keeping up with the joneses on JustEat.

Plus you only mention reaching a wider audience. The businesses down here don’t seek or require the same volume of sales a city centre outfit would - thus just concentrate on quality and margin over quantity.

Sites like JustEat are terrible anyway, corporate crap taking from all angles! 25% off the merchant, fixed fee off the consumer. Of course they offer convenience, but I am the type of person who searches out the restaurant directly and deal directly - I’d much rather put all the money in the business owners pocket and support their local economy.

I’d quite like to get back to the op if possible please.

Edited by russy01 on Tuesday 22 September 19:07