1. Register your domain in your own name
Use the restaurant’s name, short and easy to spell. A .ca domain signals a Canadian business. Register it in your own account, not your designer’s, so you never lose your address if you change providers.
2. Builder, ordering platform or developer?
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Website builder (Wix, Squarespace and similar) | A simple site you edit yourself | Ordering often needs an add-on |
| Ordering platform with a website | Restaurants that want orders, not just a brochure | Check commission and who owns the customer data |
| Restaurant website developer | Custom design, several locations | Cost, and who can edit the menu later |
3. The pages guests expect
- Home: hours, address, phone and one clear button to order or book, visible on a phone without scrolling.
- Menu as text with prices and allergens, not only a PDF.
- Order online or reservations.
- About and contact, with a map and parking notes.
- Optional: catering, gift cards, private events.
4. Design for phones first
- Readable text without zooming and buttons big enough for a thumb.
- Tap-to-call phone number and tap-for-directions address.
- Fast pages: compress photos and avoid autoplay video.
- Real photos of your food and room rather than stock images.
5. Add online ordering
A website with ordering turns visits into orders. With your own ordering page, there is no marketplace commission on each order and you keep the customer’s contact details. Compare options in the best online ordering systems in Canada.
6. Canadian details
- In Quebec, the site, menu and order confirmations must be available in French; English can be added (Office québécois de la langue française).
- Show prices and taxes clearly. GST/HST or GST plus PST/QST depend on the province (CRA, GST/HST rates by province).
- Publish a privacy policy and a cookie notice if you use analytics.
7. Launch and get found
Add the website and order link to your Google Business Profile, social profiles and delivery app listings, and print it on receipts and bags. See also how to attract new restaurant customers.
Where Chefzi fits
Chefzi is a commission-free online ordering system for Canadian restaurants: your own ordering page in English and French, for a flat $35 a month. If you already have a website, Chefzi adds an ordering page and button to it; if you do not, your ordering page can serve as your simple site. If that sounds useful, book a 15-minute demo and we will show you your own menu in it. No pressure if you are just researching.
Sources
Office québécois de la langue française · CRA, GST/HST rates by province · Google Business Profile, checked 27 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much does a restaurant website cost?
A builder plan costs a monthly fee plus a domain; a custom developer costs more up front. Add the cost of online ordering, and check whether it is a flat fee or a commission per order.
Should my restaurant website have online ordering?
If you do takeout or delivery, yes. It turns visits into orders without a marketplace commission.
Does my restaurant website need to be in French?
In Quebec, yes: commercial information such as your site and menu must be available in French. English can be added.