How to set up online bookings for your restaurant

1. Decide what guests can book online

• Which services take bookings, such as lunch and dinner, and the last time guests can book for each.
• The largest group that can book straight away. Bigger groups can send a request for you to accept instead.
• How long each table is kept, for example 90 minutes for two and two hours for six.
• How many guests you can take at once without swamping the kitchen.
• Whether to keep some tables back for walk-ins.

2. Set up your tables

Add your dining areas and tables as they really are, with how many each one seats and which can be joined for bigger groups. Then choose which areas guests can book online, for example the main room but not the bar.

3. Write short, clear booking terms

Before anyone books, decide:

• how long you'll hold a table if guests are running late;
• how guests change or cancel, and by when;
• when you ask for a deposit, and whether it can be refunded;
• anything else guests should know, such as dogs, children or step-free access.

Keep it short and friendly, and show it where guests book. If you take deposits, see how to take deposits for Christmas bookings.

4. Make the booking page look like yours

Add your logo, your opening hours and any notices, such as a set menu on special dates. Check the confirmation and reminder emails too: guests should see your restaurant's name, so they know who the booking is with.

5. Put your booking link everywhere guests find you

• Your website: a booking button or widget on your home page and menu page.
• Google: add the link to your Business Profile. Our guide shows how to do it on Google.
• Instagram and Facebook: the link in your Instagram profile and on your Facebook page's main button.
• Your email signature, and a QR code by the door or on the bill.

6. Test it before you go live

1. 1Make a booking on your phone, the way a guest would.
2. 2Check that the confirmation email arrives and looks right.
3. 3Change the booking, then cancel it, using the link in the email.
4. 4If you take deposits, go through a deposit booking on your phone too.
5. 5Check that the booking shows up where your team will see it.

7. Tell your team, then your guests

Show your team where new bookings appear, and how to add phone bookings and walk-ins, so every booking is in one place. Then tell guests, with a post on Instagram, a line in your newsletter and a sign by the till. Watch the first few weeks closely, and change your rules if a time gets too busy.

How VIEreserve helps

• Your own booking page in Classic, Midnight or Ivory, with your logo, notices, opening hours and booking terms.
• A booking button, a pop-up booking window or the booking form inside one of your pages, from Settings → Website & Widget.
• One booking link for Google, Instagram and Facebook, with no commission on any booking.
• Dining areas and joinable tables, and you choose which areas take online bookings.
• Large groups send a request for you to accept or decline.
• Confirmation and reminder emails in your restaurant's look, with a link to change or cancel.
• A 14-day free trial, so you can set everything up and test it before you go live.