Checklist for setting up an online store for your restaurant

If your customers can’t visit your restaurant to eat, selling online gives you the option to let them pick up their meals, have them delivered to them, or purchase gift cards to share with others. Creating an online presence for your restaurant allows you to provide customers with more information about your business, a place where they can leave reviews, and a way for them to sign up to receive emails from your business. You may find it helpful to print this checklist or download it as a PDF so you can refer to it during the setup process.

[note_box] Tip: If you offer delivery, consider adding an “expedited delivery” option for customers who are willing to pay a little more to get their items faster. [/note_box]

If you already have an ecommerce website, consider moving it to Shopify.

For more details, check out our detailed guide to setting up an online restaurant store.

Setting up your store

Before you launch your restaurant’s online store, make sure you’ve thought through all of the following steps.

Create your online store

Connect to your store

Protect your store with a password

Give your store a name and set its legal business name.

Set up your business address

Add your payment information

Set up your payment provider

Set a tip option

Set the base currency for your store

Create an online menu

Add gift cards

Configure your shipping settings

Set up in-store pickup and local delivery

Set up your taxes

Set your payment rates

Engage your team if necessary.

Set up your domain

Check out the Shopify app store to see what apps can help you with your business

[note_box] Idea: Try adding an app that allows customers to pre-order for a specific time. This can help you manage the kitchen load more efficiently. [/note_box]

Customize your store

Take advantage of these offers to make your online store unique.

Customize the Crave theme or choose another theme from the theme library

Customize your homepage and create additional pages

Adding unique content

To ensure your store stands out, it’s important to add unique, high-quality content. This includes:

• High quality photos of your dishes.
• Detailed descriptions of each dish, including ingredients and nutritional values.
• Stories about your restaurant, its history, and your culinary philosophy.
• Reviews from satisfied customers.

Check your store

Before you launch your online store, place test orders to see how the buying process works.

Check successful and failed transactions

Check refunds and cancellations

Check execution and partial fulfillment of orders

Check archive of successful orders

Learn about Shopify’s fraud analysis settings

[note_box] Test: Don’t forget to test your mobile ordering process. Many customers will order via their phone, so make sure everything works smoothly there too. [/note_box]

Open your store

Once you’ve chosen a plan and tested your online store, you’re ready for people to see it. You can remove the password for your online store, and add a chat window to make it easier for online store visitors to ask questions.

Remove your online store password to allow customers to access your store

Let your customers know you are open for business.

Once you have your online store up and running, you need to advertise it. You can improve your store’s visibility by adding information that will be useful to search engines, and advertising your store in all the right places.

Set up your homepage metadata

Take advantage of social media to promote your store

Create a marketing plan

Set up Shopify Email and send your first marketing campaign

Improve your store’s SEO

Take advantage of discount codes and promotions

Customize abandoned cart emails

Add chat to your online store and read and reply to messages in Shopify Inbox

[note_box] Promotion: Consider offering a special discount to the first customers who order through your online store. This can encourage more people to try your new service. [/note_box]

Using social media

Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your store. You can use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to:

• Share photos of your dishes.
• Advertise promotions and discounts.
• Contact customers and ask them to share their experiences.
• Organize competitions or raffles.

Improving the customer experience

To ensure that customers return to your store, it’s important to improve the customer experience. This includes:

• Excellent customer service.
• Simple and convenient ordering process.
• Offering various payment options.
• Listening to customer feedback and continuous improvement.

Summary

Setting up an online store for your restaurant is an important step in growing your business. By following the steps outlined in this list, you can ensure that your store is set up for success. Don’t forget to test your store, customize your content, and advertise your business to attract new customers.

Additional recommendations

To be successful in setting up your online store, consider the following recommendations:

1. Use professional photos: Investing in high-quality photos can improve the appearance of your dishes and attract more customers.
2. Offer special deals: Deals and discounts can encourage new customers to try your dishes.
3. Improve user experience: Make sure your website is easy to use, with clear navigation and a simple purchase process.
4. Listen to customers: Get feedback from your customers and improve your services accordingly.
5. Stay in touch with customers: Send emails with updates, promotions, and special offers.

Good luck setting up your online store!