Website for a cafe and bar website

[NJRSH]

Hi,

I'm opening a cafe/bar in a few months time and am looking for a web host. I have done some research but am still a little confused by the options as most advice seems to specific to e-commerce sites. Can anyone recommend a good UK host? Preferably with a site building package so I can get a basic site up and running before spending more on web design in future.

I anticipate the website to be quite image heavy and would probably need 5-6 pages and potentially an online reservation system.

Any advice suggestions on hosts and web design in general would be much appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 283937]

Hello, I used https://www.infotex.co.uk/ to build and host the website for my cafe. I was very happy with the service.
I recommend you use a good graphic designer to really nail your brand though.

 

[ryedale]

Choosing hosting can be very confusing.

Try to avoid the larger companies in the industry such as Go Daddy, 123-Reg, Heart as many people have issues with performance and support.

Smaller, more specialized companies can provide a far better service with direct one to one support but be careful to check that they are well established and not likely to disappear overnight. Make sure they have full contact details and address clearly visible on the site.

Always worth picking up the phone and talking to companies directly - see if you can speak directly to people who know what they are talking about rather than just sales teams - Always worth asking for a free trial if possible

In terms of designing the site, we'd personally recommend using a CMS like Wordpress or Joomla.

Free site builders are very limited and sites almost inevitably have to be remade to get any real value from them.

Hope this helps

 

[makeusvisible]

It very much depends on how technical you are. HOSTS will generally provide you with server space....ftp access, cpanel access, and some tools for installing server based software such as Wordpress.

If none of the above means anything to you, forget looking for a 'host', you need either;

• A web developer who will handle the whole thing for you
• A site building platford such as WIX

With those two options hosting is taken out of your hands and they worry about the technical side of things.

With a web builder such as WIX, your going to have to do the work with the content, making sure the site is configured corectly, source images, make sure images are optimised for mobile, desktop and tablet. Setup Google analytics, register with search console.....not to forget the hugely important task for a local business of setting up Google My Business, and properly verifying your listing and linking it to your website. As a minimum you will want to think about facebook too.

If you dont want to handle all of that, then you should go with a web agency/developer/design who will cover all those bases for you, but will obviously charge for it.

Best of luck.

 

[dexterash]

There are N+Z+T options out there...

But the simple question to be answered is: what do you want to achieve with your website or digital/online presence? From there, afterwards, you should be able to get an answer or a tailored solution to your needs. It might be a simple Facebook or Google Plus page or a fully "grown" website with a menu, maybe a live webcam, an event list or others like that.

It could be a simple domain as in cafebar.co.uk that redirects to your facebook page or maybe more.
Even your e-mail represents (or brands) something: might be a generic gmail one or a @ cafebar.co.uk.

And so on...

But I presume that your main purpose is attracting [more or somebody else's] customers and making more money/profit. In reality, that should be your starting point.

 

[Craig Bird]

Hi NJRSH, Take a look at Wix, very simple and effective. Another technology challenge to think about is whether you will offer wifi in your cafe and how you ensure this is not misused (we are working with a company with this challenge now).

 

[Alan]

You website should be part of your marketing strategy, which alludes to

But I presume that your main purpose is attracting [more or somebody else's] customers and making more money/profit. In reality, that should be your starting point.

If you haven't got a marketing strategy, stop thinking about a website right now.

So once you have thought the elements and the contribution that you can consider how much investment you need to make in each leg.

I'm pretty certain ( unless you are gifted and experienced web designer and by your post I assume not ) that a website you throw together now as a stop gap is wasted effort.

Your Cafe/Bar I assume will have a 'brand' and you will pay sign writers to provide fancy signage that looks professional? Or are you going to get a felt tip pen and some card and stick that on the door?

 

[ukbf0001]

Hi,

First of all - do you have a logo, brand images etc. I would suggest all you need is a unique and catchy logo. If it's a cafe / bar - then I presume you would have already had some pro photos taken - you need to use these as part of the look of your website.

Now on to the next bit, avoid GoDaddy and those types, I provide hosting from a secure 24/7 data centre. Most hosting nowadays gives you 99.99% up time.

Next part - website design, the large majority of websites for SME's use Wordpress (some use Joomla and others Drupal) - the majority in my opinion use Wordpress. I would go with wordpress, but it depends on what you want your website to do, wordpress will cover just about anything you want your website to do though

I mainly use Wordpress , I do however design and use my own wordpress themes. Themes are the skin that gives your site the look and feel. When it comes to functionality you (or your website designer) will have to purchase a plug that will do what you want eg, reservation systems, ecommerce sales etc etc. I do websites that are mainly ecommerce, or sell services, but that also update automatically a twitter feed and facebook page etc, so social media is built in.

Re images - tis is a tricky one. Siteload speed is now part of the google algorithm - so it matters. If you have large bulky images, users will soon give up waiting on your site to load - Google knows this and punishes your site lower down the rankings. So make sure they are compressed.

On to Rankings, you website should have some basic keyword research, ie who is typing in what keyword phrases into Google, then you need to take those keyword pharses and make sure your webpages are correctly optimised for them. If it fairly straight forward to do - but dont over do it.

Ive waffled on for too long now.

I offer paid advice and consultancy for customers that have budgets. If you want to know any more PM me.

 

[BusinessTradeCentre]

I would recommend going with wordpress, you can buy a theme that will be geared towards your niche. You would need to do a little editing, but its not that difficult. Plus its a great way to learn the basics.

Have a look at themeforest.com and go with wordpress.org. You would only need a shared hosting account for that type of site.

 

[bigbuzzbelfast]

I agree with the poster above but pick your host very carefully I have to say I have had a great deal of respect for Chris at hostxnow who is a member of these forums my sites are loading lightning fast. I have really put the guy through his paces and he is so professional and so helpful I can't fault the guy.

I know it may not matter to you,but speed is important and that matters to Google and I am sure you wish your new website to appear in Google, so pick a web host that will not slow down your website as all the major big advertisers have and do oversell their hosting services which will not help your site appear.

Wordpress is a nightmare when you are new to it I know I hated it first few times I looked at it but it has a great range of helpful plugins that can help your business. It's like anything if you want to do it yourself then spend some time getting to know it. If not outsource it out to a smaller business who will treat you as a customer and not just another client with an account number. Go for the friendlier local approach rather than the corporate one.

 

[harshita]

bluehost is also a good webhost, though it is not uk based but its services are good.

 

[bigbuzzbelfast]

I had problems with bluehost and their lack of support many times, would not advise anybody to use them based on my experiences.