Creating a restaurant web shop: methods, process, costs
Creating a restaurant webshop means less dependence on delivery platforms, more control over orders and, above all, fewer commissions. Having your own online ordering website is often the most direct lever for this. If you would like us to check together which approach is best for your restaurant, you can request a free demo/consultation directly.
Do you want less dependence on delivery platforms, more control over your orders and above all: fewer commissions? Then there is one of your own Restaurant webshop or one restaurant website with ordering function a strong lever. Instead of you on a Restaurant portal to leave, you build a direct channel for Order restaurant and control prices, rules and communication yourself.
Which solution is best depends on how quickly you want to go live, how much time you can invest yourself and how important maintenance, flexibility and budget are to you. If you want to approach it in a structured way: Request a free demo/consultation and work together to find the fastest route for your restaurant.
Why your own online ordering website quickly pays off
Delivery portals pull frequently 25-35% commission. At €15,000 monthly turnover they are fast 3.750–5.250 € – every month. Your own online shop, on the other hand, typically costs you a fixed monthly fee plus payment fees.
In addition, you win back the customer relationship: You control offers, minimum order values, delivery times and promotions and build your own customer contacts (GDPR-compliant). This is often the lever for restaurants and delivery services to become more independent in the long term.
Mini business case (simplified)
If only you 50 % If you move your previous portal sales into your direct channel, you are often already saving four-digit amounts per month – even after deducting system costs and payment fees.
The three ways to a restaurant webshop in comparison (time, costs, maintenance)
| way | Time expenditure | One-off costs | Ongoing costs | Technical requirements | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A) Build it yourself (construction kit/shop system) | high (days–weeks) | low–medium | low–medium (+ plugins) | Basic technical/web knowledge, testing, legal texts | with you (updates, bugs, security) |
| B) Rent an ordering system | low (often 1–2 days) | usually low | medium (fixed price) + payment | hardly (content/decisions) | at the provider |
| C) agency | medium–high (weeks–months) | high (usually €2,000–5,000+) | medium (hosting/maintenance) + retainer if necessary | Coordination, budget, project management | Agency + possibly you |
Set up a modular system or shop system yourself: your own ordering system with more effort
You use e.g. B. WordPress/WooCommerce, Wix or Shopify and build your own online ordering website. Advantage: a lot of freedom. Disadvantage: you are responsible for everything – delivery logic, variants, checkout, updates, security, performance and legal issues.
If an update ruins your ordering process, you often only notice it when orders don't arrive. The risk is real, especially with a restaurant website with an ordering function, because sales depend directly on the checkout.
Rent a ready-made online ordering system: example GastroSprint + alternatives
You rent a solution that is built for gastronomy: add the menu, set delivery/collection rules, activate payment methods - done. This means you can bring your catering web shop live quickly and have less effort for operation and maintenance.
- GastroSprint: Integration into existing website
- from €64 net/month, Can be canceled monthly
- no setup fee
- 0% GastroSprint order commission
- Complete plan: own website + domain connection & hosting €149 net/month plus €499 one-time setup
- Practical value: Shop is usually online within 24 hours, if Menu & logo present
- Important: Payment provider fees apply additionally
- First orders: depend mainly on yours Guest communication from (QR codes, social media, Google profile, flyers, information in the store)
If you want to get a quick overview of costs and setup, take a look at our guide:
https://gastrosprint.de/ratgeber/online-bestellsystem-restaurant-kosten/
or directly to the solution:
https://gastrosprint.de/online-bestellsystem-restaurant/
If you want to know how quickly you can reduce commission costs, Request a free demo/consultation.
Commission an agency: individual restaurant website with web shop and support
Agencies provide maximum individuality (design, texts, SEO structure), but you pay one-off costs and need a good briefing. Important: Clarify maintenance, response times in the event of disruptions and rights to website/assets.
Otherwise your shop will quickly become dependent. Especially if you are having a website created for a restaurant, it is worth regulating the ownership issue (domain, content, tracking, accounts) very carefully.
Process: Step by step to the live shop
Whether you want to create your restaurant homepage or integrate an ordering system into an existing website: the process is usually similar. It is crucial that the menu, delivery logic, payment and communication are properly prepared - so that your restaurant order goes through without friction.
Prepare menu
Categories, variants/extras, allergens, additives, prices, images if applicable. It's better to start with a clear online range (bestsellers + dishes that can be delivered) rather than with the entire menu.
Schedule delivery & pickup
Delivery areas (zip codes/zones), delivery times/slots, minimum order value, delivery fees, pickup windows. Plan peak times realistically: it's better to limit slots than create chaos in the kitchen and driver team.
Packaging & Sustainability
Reusable vs. disposable, carefully calculate packaging costs, optionally make them transparent in the checkout (e.g. flat rate packaging fee or reusable deposit). Small adjustment screw with a big effect: cutlery only “on request” instead of as standard.
Technology, law & visibility: so that orders run smoothly
A restaurant webshop depends on checkout, trust and discoverability. In addition to the right restaurant technology, payment processing, POS/cash register integration, data protection (GDPR) and web shop SEO are the topics that save you time in everyday life and reduce abandonments.
Payment processing
Pay attention to common payment methods (card, PayPal, Apple/Google Pay), smooth checkout and SCA/3D Secure compliance. Calculate payment fees realistically and regularly test the entire payment flow on your mobile phone.
POS/cash register integration
The more orders, the more important the cash register connection becomes: fewer typos, less time lost, better reporting. Ask early about interfaces/API and how order status and receipts can be integrated neatly into your processes.
Data protection (GDPR)
You need: Data protection declaration, AVV with service providers (shop/payment), consent management for tracking, clear storage/deletion logic. Newsletter only with clear consent (double opt-in).
This is mandatory – and protects you from warnings. At the same time, it is an important trust factor when customers order directly via your restaurant website.
Web shop SEO (product pages & local visibility)
Local visibility is crucial: keep your Google company profile up to date, enter your order link, and keep your NAP data consistent. In the shop: descriptive categories, clear titles, fast loading times, structured content.
If you are also thinking about an app/ordering app, this article will help you: https://gastrosprint.de/ratgeber/restaurant-app-erstellen-lassen/
Conclusion: Which path is right for your restaurant?
The best way depends on how quickly you want to go live, how much time you can invest yourself and how important planning and maintenance are to you. For many restaurants, a rented online ordering system is the most pragmatic way to start - especially if you want to quickly become independent of delivery services.
- Build yourself, if you have time, interest in technology and desire for maintenance.
- Rentif you want to go live quickly, need predictable costs and don't want an IT construction site in everyday life.
- Agency, if branding/individuality is the priority and the budget is available.
If you now want to find out specifically which route will be the quickest for your business: Request a free demo/consultation.
FAQ
How much does your own restaurant webshop cost per month?
Depending on the route: Do-it-yourself construction often has low fixed costs, but a lot of your own effort. Rental systems can be planned (fixed price) plus payment provider fees. Agencies usually have high one-time costs plus maintenance/hosting.
Which way is fastest to get orders immediately?
Rental systems are usually the fastest (often online within 24 hours if content is available). The first orders then come via communication: QR codes, Google profile, social, flyers.
Are there still fees (commissions, payment providers)?
You can avoid portal commissions in the direct channel, but payment fees remain (per provider). That's exactly why accurate calculations per order are worth it.
Do I need a POS/cash register integration?
Not necessarily at the start, but very useful for volume. It saves time, reduces errors and provides better evaluations.
Which GDPR points are mandatory?
Data protection declaration, AVV, consent management (for tracking), secure data transmission (SSL), storage and deletion concept, clean newsletter consents.
Sources and product basis
- GastroSprint prices and plansOfficial plan overview for Direct and Complete as well as payment provider fees.Retrieved on
