What is a booking widget? Definition and setup guide for restaurants
An embeddable reservation form that lets guests book a table directly from a restaurant's website.
A booking widget is an embeddable reservation form that lets guests book a table directly from a restaurant’s website. For restaurants, this means turning website visitors into confirmed reservations 24/7, without requiring a phone call or staff involvement. Restaurants with booking widgets typically convert 3-5x more website visitors into diners compared to those offering phone-only reservations.
Key facts
- Definition: A reservation interface embedded on a restaurant’s website
- Good benchmark: 50-70% of online reservations should come through your own widget rather than third-party platforms
- Why it matters: Every visitor who cannot book instantly on your website is a potential lost reservation
The quick definition
A booking widget is a small, interactive form embedded on your restaurant’s website that connects directly to your reservation system. Guests select a date, time, and party size, enter their contact details, and receive an instant confirmation. The widget updates in real time, showing only available slots based on your actual table inventory.
Example: A guest visits your website at 11 PM, selects “Friday, 7:30 PM, party of 4,” enters their name and phone number, and receives a confirmation email within seconds. No phone call needed.
Why booking widgets matter
They capture reservations around the clock
Your phone lines are only answered during operating hours, but guests research and book restaurants at all hours:
| Time Period | % of Online Bookings |
|---|---|
| During restaurant hours | 40-50% |
| Before opening | 15-20% |
| After closing | 25-30% |
| Late night (11 PM - 7 AM) | 10-15% |
Without a widget, you miss 50-60% of booking intent that happens outside business hours.
They reduce staff workload
A single phone reservation takes 2-3 minutes of staff time. For a restaurant handling 40 reservations per day:
- Phone only: 40 x 3 min = 120 min (2 hours) of phone time daily
- With widget: 25 online + 15 phone = 45 min of phone time daily
That is 75 minutes freed up every day for guest-facing work.
They decrease booking abandonment
Every friction point in the reservation process loses potential guests:
| Friction Point | Abandonment Rate |
|---|---|
| Phone busy or no answer | 30-40% never call back |
| ”Call during business hours” | 50-60% do not call back |
| Complicated online form | 20-30% abandon |
| Simple, fast widget | Under 10% abandon |
A well-designed widget removes nearly all friction from the booking process.
They give you direct bookings
Reservations through your own widget cost less than those through third-party platforms:
| Booking Source | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Your website widget | $0-1 per cover (software fee only) |
| Third-party platforms | $1-3 per cover |
| Phone booking | $2-4 per cover (staff labor) |
Directing traffic to your own widget keeps costs low and customer data in your hands.
How a booking widget works
The guest experience
- Guest clicks “Book a Table” on your website
- Widget displays available dates, times, and party sizes
- Guest selects their preferred option
- Guest enters name, email, phone number
- Guest confirms the reservation
- Instant confirmation via email and SMS
The backend connection
The widget communicates with your reservation system in real time:
| Widget Action | System Response |
|---|---|
| Guest selects date/time | System checks table availability |
| Guest submits booking | System creates reservation |
| Booking confirmed | System sends confirmation |
| Time slot fills up | Widget removes that option |
This prevents double bookings and ensures guests only see genuinely available slots.
How to set up a booking widget
1. Choose the right reservation system
Your widget is only as good as the system behind it. Look for:
- Real-time availability syncing
- Mobile-friendly design
- Customizable appearance to match your brand
- Built-in confirmation and reminder messages
- Integration with your existing website platform
2. Place it where guests look
| Placement | Priority |
|---|---|
| Homepage (above the fold) | Essential |
| Dedicated reservations page | Essential |
| Navigation bar (“Book Now” button) | Essential |
| Contact page | Recommended |
| Google Business Profile link | Recommended |
3. Optimize for mobile
Over 60% of restaurant website traffic comes from mobile devices. Your widget must:
- Load quickly on cellular connections
- Have large, tappable buttons
- Require minimal typing
- Auto-fill where possible
- Work without zooming or horizontal scrolling
4. Keep the form short
Every additional field reduces completions. The minimum required fields:
- Date and time (selection, not typing)
- Party size (dropdown or buttons)
- Name
- Phone number or email
Optional fields like special requests or occasion should be clearly optional and never block submission.
5. Connect to Google and social media
Link your widget from every channel where guests find you:
- Google Business Profile “Reserve” button
- Instagram bio link
- Facebook page action button
- Email signature
- Review site profiles
Common mistakes
Hiding the widget
If guests have to search for your booking option, many will give up. Place a prominent “Book a Table” button in your main navigation and on your homepage above the fold.
Requiring account creation
Forcing guests to create an account before booking adds friction that kills conversions. Allow guest checkout. You will capture their contact information through the booking itself.
Not testing on mobile
A widget that works perfectly on desktop but breaks on mobile loses the majority of your potential bookings. Test the full booking flow on multiple phone models before launching.
Related terms
- No-show - Guest who fails to arrive; widgets enable automated reminders that reduce no-shows
- Booking lead time - Time between booking and dining; widgets make it easy to book further ahead
- Walk-in - Guest without a reservation; widgets help shift walk-ins to advance bookings
- Cover - Individual guest; widget analytics track covers booked online versus phone
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a restaurant booking widget?
How do I add a booking widget to my website?
Does a booking widget cost extra?
Can a booking widget reduce phone calls?
Should the booking widget be on every page of my website?
Related: How to get more reservations | Online vs. phone reservations | How to choose a booking system
Track Your Restaurant Metrics
Understanding booking widget is just the start. Resos helps you track covers, manage tables, and grow your restaurant.
Try Resos FreeFree forever up to 25 bookings/month.