Think about the last time you looked up a restaurant or a shop. You probably did it on your phone, maybe in the car or on the couch.
Your customers do the same thing. So the real question isn’t “Do we have a website?” It’s “Does our website work when someone pulls it up on a phone?”
Here’s what we look for every time we build a site for a local business, venue, or band.
1. Tap to call
Your phone number should be a button. One tap, and it calls you.
It sounds small, but it matters. If someone has to copy and paste your number, a lot of them just won’t bother.
2. Your hours, right up top
“Are they open right now?” is one of the most common reasons people visit a local business site.
Put your hours near the top of the homepage, not buried on a contact page. Update them for holidays too. Nothing frustrates a customer like showing up to a locked door.
3. Directions in one tap
Add your address with a link that opens in Google Maps or Apple Maps. Mention parking if it’s tricky. “Free lot behind the building” saves people a lot of stress.
4. An easy way to book, order, or buy
What do you want people to do? Book a table, order online, grab tickets, schedule an appointment?
Make that one big, clear button. If you use a booking or ordering tool, link straight to it. The fewer taps, the better.
5. What’s happening this week
If you’re a venue, a bar, or a band, your events should be easy to find on a phone. A simple list with dates, times, and who’s playing.
Keep it current. An events page from last spring tells people you might not be open anymore.
6. Fast loading
People are patient for about three seconds. If your site is slow, they’re gone.
Big images, too many add-ons, and old website builders can slow things down. A clean, simple site usually loads faster and looks better.
7. Text you can read without pinching
If people have to zoom in to read your menu or your hours, your site isn’t built for phones. Good mobile sites use readable text, buttons big enough for your thumb, and plenty of space.
8. Photos that feel like you
Real photos of your space, your food, your team, or your band beat stock photos every time. People want to see what it actually feels like to walk in.
9. A link to your socials
Make it easy to follow you on Instagram and Facebook. That’s where people see what’s happening day to day.
10. A way to stay in touch
Not everyone is ready to visit today. Give them a simple way to stay in the loop, like an email signup for events and specials. One short form at the bottom of the page is plenty.
Then actually send something every so often. A quick note about what’s coming up keeps you top of mind.
A quick test you can do right now
Grab your phone and pull up your website like you’ve never seen it before. Ask yourself:
- Can I call in one tap?
- Can I find the hours in five seconds?
- Can I get directions easily?
- Can I book, order, or see events without hunting?
If any answer is no, that’s your first fix.
Want us to take a look?
We build mobile-first websites for local venues, bands, and small businesses right here in our community. If your site needs a refresh, or you don’t have one yet, we’d love to help.
Let’s talk. Check out our websites or send us a message, and we’ll share a few honest thoughts on what could work for you.
