Why You Need a Website for Your Coffee Shop (and How to Make it)
Every time I try out a new restaurant or coffee shop, I go to their website beforehand. If they don't have a website, I'll try going to their social media to learn more about them. I, and many people I know, do this to see the menu, hours, and other basic policies. This way, we know exactly what to expect when we get there.
In this age of instantaneous information, having a website for your coffee shop is a great idea. Your customers can get to know your business before coming in and you can gain new and different traffic from search engines.
Why You Need a Website for Your Coffee Shop
Websites Drive New Traffic
Having a website for your restaurant gives you the opportunity to expand your audience even further. The great thing about the internet nowadays is that anyone can find your website pretty easily. Having a website allows search engines to know more about your business and usher in more customers. When someone looks up "coffee shops near me," your shop will pop up!
Improve Brand Image
With a website, you control your brand. The look, the feel, and the information on your website is all your own. Social media is great for your business, but having your own website gives you a lot more control. Your coffee shop isn't just about good drinks, it's about the environment. You can bring that environment to your website! Having a website for your coffee shop is a great way to keep your brand image exactly what you want it to be.
Build Trust
Having your own website builds trust with your customers. They can see your menu, hours, and policies right from you! Your customers don't have to worry if they're getting up-to-date information. Having a website for your coffee shop allows you to build trust with your customers.
How to Make Your Website
You have a few options when it comes to creating a website for your coffee shop. You could hire a web designer to create a website for you or you could create your own website from a template. Here are the pros and cons of each option.
Hiring a Web Designer
Pros
By hiring a web designer, you'll get a professional and functional website that looks exactly as you want it. Web designers will incorporate all your wants and needs into your website. If you want online ordering, a web designer can do that. If you want your website to have the same look as your menu, a web designer can do that for you. Your website can be exactly as you want it.
Cons
Web designers can be pricey. You'll have to pay them for their time and supplies. You'll have to go through the hiring process for that person as well. Alongside that, it can take upwards of a week for your website to be finished.
Using a Template
Pros
If you don't want to hire a web designer to make your website, you can make it from a template. Websites like Wordpress, Squarespace, and Wix allow you to make websites yourself from their drag-and-drop templates. While you may have to pay some sort of subscription fee, it will be less expensive than hiring a web designer. You won't have to design your website from scratch, you'll have helpful templates already made.
Cons
When you make your website on a website-making platform, you have a lot less freedom than when you hire a web designer. You give up the freedom of full customization for the ease of drag-and-drop. While your website will still have some customization, you won't be able to make it exactly what you want, you'll have to rely on a template.
Once you've decided how you're going to make your website, you'll need to start it. If you're hiring a web designer, you'll just tell them what you want on your website and they'll create it for you. If you're using a website-creating platform, you'll have to spend the time making it yourself.
However you decide to make your website, your coffee shop will definitely benefit!
