By: Untappd Team
February 6, 2025
In today’s digital world, having a well-designed, functional website is essential for restaurants, bars, and breweries. It goes beyond having social media. A great website can help attract new customers, showcase menus, accept reservations, and even drive online sales. But one of the most common questions business owners ask is: How much should a website cost in 2025?
The answer depends on several factors, including the type of website, features, complexity, and whether you choose a DIY solution or hire a professional web developer. Costs can range from a few hundred dollars for a basic website to tens of thousands for a fully customized, feature-rich platform.
This guide will break down website costs for restaurants, bars, and breweries, helping you understand the pricing landscape and choose the best solution for your business
What We’ll Cover in This Piece:
The Importance of a Website for Restaurants, Bars, and Breweries
A website is more than just a digital business card—it’s a powerful marketing and customer acquisition tool. Here’s why having a website is essential:
- Discoverability: Most customers search online before choosing where to eat or drink. If your business doesn’t have a strong web presence, you could be missing out on potential guests.
- Customer Convenience: A website provides essential details like menus, hours, location, and contact information in one place.
- Online Sales & Reservations: Whether you take online orders, sell merchandise, or allow reservations, a website makes it easy for customers to engage with your business.
- Brand Identity: A well-designed website helps establish your restaurant, bar, or brewery’s brand and sets you apart from competitors.
Factors That Influence Website Cost
The cost of building a website depends on several factors, including:
- Complexity: A simple one-page website costs far less than a multi-page site with online ordering and booking systems.
- Design & Customization: Custom designs are more expensive than using pre-built templates.
- Features & Functionality: Advanced features like e-commerce, menu integrations, and reservation systems increase costs.
- DIY vs. Professional: DIY website builders like Wix or Squarespace are affordable but have limitations. Hiring a developer offers more flexibility but costs more.
- Hosting & Maintenance: Ongoing costs like domain renewal, hosting, and security updates impact long-term expenses.
Website Cost Breakdown by Type
DIY Website Builders ($10–$100/month)
For small restaurants, bars, or breweries with limited budgets, DIY website builders offer a cost-effective solution. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com allow you to build a site with drag-and-drop tools.
✅ Pros:
- Low cost and no coding required
- Quick setup with pre-made templates
- Easy to update and maintain
❌ Cons:
- Limited customization and functionality
- Not as SEO-friendly as custom-built sites
- Some integrations (like advanced booking systems) may be unavailable
Custom Websites by Freelancers or Agencies ($3,000–$20,000+)
If you want a unique, highly functional website, hiring a web developer or agency is the best option. Custom sites are built to your exact specifications and offer advanced features.
✅ Pros:
- Fully tailored design and branding
- Advanced features and custom integrations
- Better performance and SEO optimization
❌ Cons:
- Higher upfront costs
- Requires ongoing maintenance and updates
Specialized Industry Platforms ($20–$500/month)
Some companies offer website services specifically for restaurants, bars, and breweries, such as Untappd For Business, SpotHopper, PopMenu, and GloriaFood. These platforms offer a variety of features perfect for restaurants, bars, breweries, and any business in the food and beverage industry like built-in menu systems, reservations, and online ordering.
✅ Pros:
- Designed specifically for the food and beverage industry
- Pre-integrated with essential features
- Lower cost than custom-built websites
- Platforms like Untappd for Business can build your website automatically with integrated SEO functionality
❌ Cons:
- Some platforms may not allow or limit customizations
- This is not the case for all! Untappd for Business provides a full suite of tools and an intuitive drag and drop editor to fully customize your website to fit your brand
- Monthly subscription fees
Additional Website Features You Should Consider
Screenshots provided by OpenTable
Online Menus and Integrations ($0–$500)
A digital menu should be easy to navigate and update. If your business is verified on Untappd, publishing a digital menu to your own website is included at no cost through Untappd for Business. Other digital menu platforms like OpenMenu and PopMenu may require monthly or annual subscription.
Reservations and Booking Systems ($10–$100/month)
Using platforms like OpenTable, Tock, or Resy lets customers book tables directly from your site. Costs vary based on reservation volume.
E-commerce and Online Ordering ($30–$200/month)
Adding online ordering requires an e-commerce platform like Square, Shopify, GoTab, or Toast POS. Fees include payment processing and platform subscriptions.
Customer Reviews and Social Proof ($0–$100/month)
Displaying Google, Yelp, or Facebook reviews on your website builds trust. Some platforms offer automated review integrations for an added cost.
SEO and Local Search Optimization ($500–$5,000 one-time or monthly retainer)
Optimizing your website for local SEO ensures that your business ranks high in Google searches. Hiring an SEO expert can help with content creation, keyword optimization, and performance tracking.
Ongoing Costs and Maintenance for a Website
Even after your website is live, you’ll need to budget for ongoing expenses:
- Domain Name: $10–$50/year
- Some platforms like Untappd for Business Websites offer a free domain service to get your started
- Website Hosting: $50–$300/year (depending on provider and traffic volume)
- Security & SSL Certificates: $0–$100/year
- Website Updates & Maintenance: $50–$500/month if using a developer
- Marketing & SEO: $500–$5,000/month depending on strategy
Be sure you’re budgeting correctly, but also explore each solution carefully to make sure you’re not paying extra. A service like Untappd for Business includes a free domain name, website hosting, SSL, and SEO all into one low monthly cost.
How Much Should You Budget for Your Website?
When planning your website budget, consider:
- Your Business Size: Small businesses can start with a simple, lower-cost site and upgrade later.
- Essential vs. Nice-to-Have Features: Prioritize must-have features first.
- Long-Term Investment: A well-designed website pays for itself by attracting more customers and increasing sales.
Estimated Budget Ranges:
- Basic DIY Website: $10–$50/month
- Mid-Range Website (With Some Customization): $1,000–$5,000 upfront + $50–$200/month
- Fully Custom Website: $10,000–$20,000+ upfront + $100–$500/month
Wrapping It Up
The cost of a website can vary based on features, customization, and business needs. For restaurants, bars, and breweries, having an engaging, user-friendly website is crucial for success. Whether you choose a DIY builder, a professional developer, or an industry-specific platform like Untappd for Business, investing in your website ensures better visibility, customer engagement, and revenue growth.
Final Tip
Start with a budget-friendly option and scale up as your business grows. The right website will not only attract customers but also enhance their experience, driving long-term success for your restaurant, bar, or brewery.
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