Short answer: your menu with prices, opening hours, a map, a one-tap WhatsApp button and a few great photos. That's 90% of what customers look for. Everything fits on one page.
The 7 things your café website needs
1. The menu, with prices
The first thing people want. Write it as text, not a photo of a printed menu, so it's readable on a phone and Google can read it too. Add a QR code on your tables that opens it.
2. Opening hours
Big and near the top. Update it for holidays. Wrong hours lose customers fast.
3. Location and Google Maps
Your address, a map and a "directions" button. Most people find a café by searching "café near me", so your Google Business Profile should link to the site too.
4. One tap to order or book
A WhatsApp button that opens a chat with the message already written: "Hi, I'd like to book a table for 4 tonight." No app, no commission, and it lands on your phone.
5. Real photos
Six to ten good photos: the space, your best drinks, the food, the people. A phone with good daylight beats stock photos every time.
6. A line about you
Two or three sentences: who you are, what makes the place yours. Specialty beans, the family recipe, the view. People remember a story.
7. Your Instagram
Link it so people can see what's new. Instagram shows your vibe; the website gets you found on Google.
What you can skip
- Long "about us" pages. Nobody reads them on a phone.
- PDF menus. Slow to open and hard to read on a small screen.
- Autoplay music or video. Annoying and slow.
- A blog you won't update. An empty news page looks closed.
One page or more?
Most cafés only need one page. Go bigger if you have a long menu, events, catering or several branches: a Business site with up to 5 pages, Google Maps and basic SEO. See websites for cafés and websites for restaurants, or try the Layl Café concept on your phone.
Quick answers
Does a café need a website if it has Instagram?
Yes, if you want to be found on Google and Google Maps. Instagram doesn't show up when people search "café near me". A website does, and sends them to your WhatsApp.
How much does a café website cost?
A one-page café website is from $190, and a Business site with more pages, Google Maps and basic SEO is from $390. One-time price.
Want this done for you?
A one-page café website with all of this is from $190, ready in 7 days once I have your photos and menu.