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9 website improvements you can’t afford not to make

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Sandra Holland

Director of Marketing

Posted On:

April 16, 2025

Catering

Your website is often the first impression a potential client has of your catering business. It’s where casual visitors turn into serious prospects. Within seconds of landing on your homepage, someone can go from browsing to actively considering a booking.

To help them take that next step, your website needs to communicate value, professionalism, and trust clearly and quickly. Here are 9 website improvements you can’t afford to skip if you want to book more catering jobs.

1. Simple online booking

Today’s customers, especially millennials and Gen Z, expect quick access and self-service options. These generations grew up online and don’t want to deal with long wait times or complicated forms.

Make your catering request form as simple and short as possible. Only ask for the essential details upfront. The fewer fields a visitor has to fill out, the more likely they are to complete the form. A slow or confusing booking process will send people looking at your competitors.

Quick, friction-free booking helps turn website visits into real business.

2. Mobile-friendly design

Most visitors are viewing your website from a phone. If your site doesn’t work well on mobile, you’re likely losing bookings.

Pages should load quickly and look clean across all screen sizes. Navigation should be easy with large, clickable buttons. Menus, contact info, and booking forms should be near the top of the page so they don’t get lost in endless scrolling.

Mobile-friendly design checklist:

  • Test on various devices like iPhones, Androids, and tablets
  • Compress images and videos to speed up load times
  • Use clear fonts and strong color contrast for readability
  • Keep navigation simple and easy to tap
  • Regularly check speed with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights
  • Display key content above the fold

A fast, user-friendly mobile experience helps keep potential clients engaged and moving toward booking.

3. Clear menu and pricing

People want to know what you offer and how much it costs before they reach out. Being upfront about your menu and pricing builds trust and filters out leads that aren’t the right fit.

Make your menus easy to view on mobile. Instead of relying on downloadable PDFs, use web pages that load quickly and scroll smoothly. You can still offer PDF versions as a bonus for those who want to print or share them.

By setting expectations early, you’ll attract more qualified leads and avoid wasting time on mismatched inquiries.

4. High-quality visuals

Great photos are non-negotiable. Crisp, professional images of your food, setups, and events make a powerful impression. They show off your skills and build confidence in your brand.

Skip the stock photos. Real images of your team, dishes, and past events are more believable and relatable. If possible, include behind-the-scenes shots to give potential clients a better sense of your personality and process.

Visual storytelling is one of the fastest ways to earn trust and gain interest.

5. Client testimonials

Social proof is powerful. Honest testimonials from happy clients help new visitors feel confident about working with you. They show that you’ve delivered real results for real people.

Use a mix of short and detailed reviews. Quick blurbs are great for the homepage, while longer stories can live on a dedicated testimonial or case study page.

Tips for collecting testimonials:

  • Ask right after an event while excitement is still high
  • Send a short follow-up email or text
  • Add a feedback form to your website or booking confirmation
  • Offer a small thank-you like a discount or free add-on
  • Reuse praise from social media posts (with permission)
  • Capture short video testimonials when possible

Keeping testimonials fresh and easy to find helps boost credibility and bookings.

6. Easy contact options

When someone has a question, they shouldn’t have to search for your contact info. Place your phone number, email, and contact form in the header, footer, and on a dedicated contact page.

The more ways people can reach you - like chat, text, or social media DMs - the more likely they are to follow through.

Prompt, helpful replies can be the deciding factor between a client choosing you or someone else.

7. Clear allergy and dietary information

Group events often include guests with food restrictions. Be upfront about how you handle dietary needs like gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, or halal.

List this information directly on your menu or create a separate section for it. Make it clear you’re prepared and flexible when it comes to special diets.

This helps your business feel more inclusive and thoughtful, which can be a deciding factor for many planners.

8. Online payment integration

Letting clients pay online makes booking easier and faster. Secure payment options for deposits or full payments help move deals forward quickly.

Offer several payment choices, including credit cards, e-transfers, or digital wallets. This flexibility meets clients where they’re at and makes it easier for them to commit.

Collecting deposits upfront also helps reduce last-minute cancellations and keeps your cash flow predictable.

9. Include FAQs

An FAQ section can answer common questions before they’re asked, saving both your time and your client’s.

Cover basics like:

  • How far in advance to book
  • What your deposit and refund policies are
  • What dietary accommodations you offer
  • Whether you do delivery and setup
  • How changes to the guest list are handled

Organize questions into sections or use expandable answers to make things easy to skim.

FAQs remove doubt, reduce repetitive messages, and make the booking process smoother for everyone.

Example FAQ section for a catering website

Booking & payments

Q: How far in advance should I book my catering?
A: We recommend booking at least [X weeks/months] ahead. Last-minute bookings depend on availability.

Q: Do you require a deposit?
A: Yes, a [X]% deposit is required to secure your event. The remaining balance is due [X days] before your event date.

Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: We accept credit cards, e-transfers, and digital wallets. Payments can be made securely through our website.

Menu & dietary accommodations

Q: Do you offer vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options?
A: Absolutely. We provide a variety of options. Just let us know your preferences when booking.

Q: How do you handle food allergies?
A: We’re happy to adjust our menu. However, please note our kitchen is not entirely allergen-free.

Q: Can I customize the menu?
A: Yes. We’ll work with you to create a menu that fits your event theme and dietary needs.

Event logistics

Q: Do you offer delivery and setup?
A: Yes. We provide both services. Costs vary depending on location and event size.

Q: How do you handle last-minute guest count changes?
A: You can make adjustments up to [X days] before the event. Changes after that may be limited.

Q: Do you provide serving staff?
A: Yes, we offer both full-service catering and drop-off options.

Final thoughts

Your website does more than showcase your brand - it helps people decide whether or not to hire you. The easier you make it for them to trust you, understand your services, and book on the spot, the more business you’ll win.

From fast mobile design and clear pricing to strong visuals and online payments, each improvement adds value. Make these updates and turn more visitors into paying clients.

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