What Every Takeaway Website Should Include (Checklist)

Introduction

Customers today expect more than just a PDF menu and a phone number. Whether they're ordering chips on a Friday night or planning a group takeaway for the weekend, they want a fast, branded, mobile-friendly experience — one that feels professional and trustworthy.

Unfortunately, many takeaway websites fall short. Some are outdated or hard to use on a phone. Others are nothing more than a copy of their JustEat page, offering little control and even less personality.

So what should a modern takeaway website actually include?

In this post, we’ll walk through the essential features — from real-time ordering to smart time slots — that help you serve customers better and grow your business on your own terms.

Clear Branding

Your takeaway’s identity should shine through the moment someone lands on your site. That means your name, your logo, and your colours — not a generic template that could belong to any restaurant.

Customers trust recognisable, professional-looking brands. Consistency in tone, photography, and layout helps reinforce your shop's personality, whether it’s traditional and comforting or modern and fast-paced.

Where possible, use your own domain name (e.g. yourshop.co.uk) instead of a subpage on a third-party platform. It looks more professional and builds trust — plus, it’s easier for customers to remember and share.

✅ Why it matters: Customers trust familiarity. Strong branding builds loyalty.

Mobile-First Design

Your website needs to work flawlessly on phones and tablets — not just on a desktop computer.

Menus should scroll smoothly, buttons must be easy to tap, and text should be readable without zooming in. If customers struggle to place an order from their phone, they’ll give up.

✅ Why it matters: The vast majority of food orders are made on mobile. A clunky mobile experience isn’t just annoying — it’s costing you sales.

Real-Time Ordering

Customers expect instant feedback when placing an order — they don’t want to wonder if it went through or wait for a call to confirm.

With real-time ordering, each order appears immediately in your dashboard or prints directly in-store. There’s no delay, no manual callbacks, and no confusion.

✅ Why it matters: Real-time feedback builds trust, reduces mistakes, and helps your team stay organised during busy periods.

Smart Time Slots

Let your customers choose a pickup or delivery time — and make sure your kitchen can handle it.

With smart time slots, orders are automatically spaced out to prevent overwhelming your team. No more random spikes or rushed prep windows. Whether you're busy or quiet, the system adapts in real time.

✅ Why it matters: Helps manage peak periods smoothly and improves kitchen flow — all without hiring extra staff.

Flexible Menu Management

Your menu isn’t static — it changes day to day, even hour to hour. Your website should let you:

  • Add food photos, rich descriptions, and customisable add-ons (like extra cheese or sauces).
  • Instantly mark items as sold out when you run out — no need to call support or wait for someone else to update it.

✅ Why it matters: A flexible menu gives you full control, reduces customer disappointment, and makes updates quick and stress-free.

Delivery & Collection Options

Give your customers the flexibility to choose what works best for them — whether that’s a quick pickup or a convenient delivery.

Your system should let you:

  • Offer both delivery and collection options.
  • Set delivery fees or thresholds (e.g. free delivery over £15).
  • Restrict delivery by postcode for accuracy.

✅ Why it matters: Convenience for customers, control for you. Accurate delivery settings reduce mistakes and keep orders flowing smoothly.

Simple, Secure Checkout

Make it easy for customers to pay and confirm their order — without jumping through hoops.

  • Guest checkout with the option to save details for next time.
  • Support for multiple payment methods: card, Apple/Google Pay, or even cash (if you allow it).
  • Automatic confirmation emails or SMS messages to reassure the customer that everything’s gone through.

✅ Why it matters: Every extra click increases the chance of dropout — the faster and smoother the process, the more orders you’ll complete.

Business Essentials

Even the best-looking takeaway website needs to get the basics right.

Clear opening hours
Make it obvious when you're open for orders — especially if you only take pre-orders during off-hours.

Contact number and address
This builds trust and reassures customers that you're a real, reachable business.

Legal links
Include your privacy policy, cookie notice, and terms of service — it keeps things professional and GDPR-compliant.

✅ Why it matters: Builds trust and keeps you compliant with regulations.

Optional Extras (That Make a Big Impact)

Photos of your food
A few high-quality images can go a long way. You don’t need to photograph every menu item — just pick your bestsellers and make sure the images are appetising and well-lit.

Reviews and testimonials
If you’ve had great feedback from customers (in person, on Facebook, wherever), highlight it on your site. A short quote or a few stars can boost trust instantly.

Promotions and loyalty nudges
Even if you don’t have a full loyalty system, you can still show a banner like “Order 5 times, get a free side” or promote bundle deals. These small touches help drive repeat orders.

✅ Why it matters: Visuals and social proof increase conversions. Customers feel more confident ordering when they can see your food and trust that others enjoyed it.

Conclusion

Your website isn’t just a digital menu — it’s your online storefront. It’s where first impressions are made, orders are placed, and customers come back time and time again.

With Menu Dash, everything on this checklist is built-in by default. From smart time slots to simple checkout flows, you don’t need to piece it together yourself — we’ll handle the setup.

👉 Request your free setup or try the demo to see how it all works.