The 3 Mistakes Patchogue Restaurants Make on Their Takeout Menu Page
Why Your Takeout Menu Page Is Losing You Orders
If you run a restaurant in Patchogue, Ronkonkoma, or anywhere in Suffolk County, your website's takeout menu page might be costing you hundreds of orders every month. After reviewing dozens of local restaurant websites, I've noticed the same three mistakes over and over again.
Let's fix them.
Mistake #1: Your Menu Is a PDF
This is the biggest problem I see. You've got a beautiful menu designed in Photoshop or Canva, saved it as a PDF, and uploaded it to your website. It looks great on your computer, but here's what happens when a customer tries to view it on their phone:
- The PDF takes forever to load (especially on slower connections)
- They have to pinch and zoom to read anything
- Google can't read the text, so you're invisible in search results
- Mobile users give up and order from your competitor instead
The Fix: Convert your menu to actual HTML text on your website. Yes, it takes more work upfront, but customers can read it instantly, Google can index every dish, and you'll show up when someone searches "chicken parm near me."
Mistake #2: No Prices Listed
I get it—you don't want to update your website every time prices change. But when customers can't see prices, they assume you're expensive and go somewhere else.
Here's what happens in a customer's mind:
- "No prices? They must be overcharging."
- "I don't want to call just to find out how much a pizza costs."
- "Let me check this other place that shows their prices."
The Fix: List your prices. If they change seasonally, add a note: "Prices subject to change" or "Market price." Customers appreciate transparency, and you'll get more orders from people who know exactly what they're paying.
Mistake #3: No Clear Call-to-Action
Your menu page should make it dead simple to place an order. But most restaurant websites bury the ordering button, or worse—don't have one at all.
I've seen menu pages where:
- The phone number is in tiny text at the bottom
- There's no "Order Now" button
- The online ordering link is hidden in the footer
- Customers have to hunt around to figure out how to actually order
The Fix: Put a big, obvious "Order Now" or "Call to Order" button at the top AND bottom of your menu page. Make your phone number clickable so mobile users can tap to call. If you use a third-party ordering system (like DoorDash or your own online ordering), link to it prominently.
Bonus Tip: Add Your Location to Every Page
When someone searches "Italian restaurant Patchogue" or "best pizza Patchogue," Google needs to know you're local. Add your town name to your menu page title, description, and a few times in the content naturally.
Example: "Welcome to [Your Restaurant Name], serving authentic Italian cuisine in Patchogue, NY since 2010."
The Bottom Line
Your takeout menu page should be:
- Fast and mobile-friendly (HTML text, not PDF)
- Transparent (show your prices)
- Action-oriented (clear ordering buttons)
Fix these three mistakes, and you'll see more online orders, more phone calls, and more customers walking through your door.
Need help fixing your restaurant website? We specialize in building fast, mobile-friendly websites for Long Island restaurants. Contact us for a free consultation.
