The Perth Restaurant Digital Checklist is an annual review of every digital touchpoint that affects your venue’s online visibility, customer experience, and booking conversions. It’s a systematic way to ensure your website, Google Business Profile, social media, photography, and technical performance are all working together to attract hungry diners and turn them into loyal customers. In Perth’s competitive hospitality scene—from Northbridge to Fremantle, Mount Lawley to the CBD—where new venues open monthly and customer expectations rise each year, an annual digital audit isn’t just a good idea—it’s a business necessity.
Data hook: According to a 2025 Tourism WA survey, 65% of Perth diners say they would avoid a restaurant with an outdated or poorly functioning website, and 78% of local searches result in a visit within 24 hours. If your digital presence hasn’t been reviewed in the last 12 months, you’re likely missing out on hundreds of potential bookings and leaving money on the table.
The Complete Annual Digital Checklist Overview
| Section | Focus Area | Review Frequency | Impact Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Website Performance | Speed, Core Web Vitals, mobile-friendliness | Quarterly + Annual | Critical |
| 2. Local SEO | Google Business Profile, NAP, reviews | Monthly + Annual | Critical |
| 3. Menu & Content | Menu format, pricing, dietary info | Seasonally + Annual | High |
| 4. Social Media | Profiles, posting schedule, engagement | Monthly + Annual | High |
| 5. Photography | Visual assets, image optimisation | Annually | High |
| 6. Security | SSL, backups, updates, compliance | Quarterly + Annual | Medium |
| 7. Analytics | Tracking, conversions, performance data | Monthly + Annual | Medium |
1. Website Performance & Core Web Vitals
Your website is your digital front door. If it’s slow, hard to navigate, or not mobile‑friendly, customers will bounce before they even see your menu. Google’s Core Web Vitals are now direct ranking factors, so performance directly impacts your search visibility.
Core Web Vitals Checklist
| Metric | Target | What It Measures | How to Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) | Under 2.5 seconds | Loading performance—when main content loads | PageSpeed Insights |
| CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) | Under 0.1 | Visual stability—how much page elements shift | PageSpeed Insights |
| INP (Interaction to Next Paint) | Under 200ms | Responsiveness—how fast page responds to clicks | PageSpeed Insights |
| Mobile-Friendly | Pass | Usability on mobile devices | Google Mobile-Friendly Test |
| HTTPS | Active | Security—encrypted connection | Browser padlock icon |
Website Performance Actions
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) under 2.5 seconds: Use Google PageSpeed Insights to measure and improve.
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) under 0.1: Ensure images and ads have defined dimensions.
- Interaction to Next Paint (INP) under 200 milliseconds: Optimize JavaScript and remove render‑blocking resources.
- Mobile‑friendly test: Pass Google’s Mobile‑Friendly Test on every key page.
- SSL certificate (HTTPS): Secure your site; browsers flag non‑HTTPS as “not secure.”
For a detailed guide on achieving these metrics, read our article on website speed optimization for Perth venues and Core Web Vitals explained simply.
2. Local SEO & Google Business Profile
When someone searches “restaurant near me” or “Perth café,” your Google Business Profile (GBP) is often the first thing they see. An incomplete or outdated GBP can cost you top‑of‑page visibility and direct bookings.
Google Business Profile Checklist
| Task | Priority | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Claim and verify your GBP | Essential | Once |
| Complete every section (hours, attributes, services, description) | Essential | Annual review |
| Upload new professional photos | High | Quarterly (10+ photos) |
| Respond to every review | High | Within 48 hours |
| Ensure NAP consistency across directories | High | Annual audit |
| Use GBP posts for events, specials, seasonal menus | Medium | Weekly |
| Add products/services | Medium | As menu changes |
| Enable booking button | High | Once + verify annually |
Need a step‑by‑step walk‑through? See our guide to Perth hospitality SEO and Google Maps SEO for Perth venues.
3. Menu & Content Updates
Your menu is the heart of your restaurant’s website. It should be easy to read, visually appealing, and optimized for both customers and search engines. An annual review ensures it reflects your current offerings and follows best practices.
Menu Audit Checklist
| Item | Best Practice | SEO Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Menu format | HTML-based responsive menu (not PDF) | Critical—PDFs are not indexed well |
| Pricing accuracy | Current prices, no outdated specials | Trust + conversion |
| Dietary labels | Vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free | Captures dietary-specific searches |
| Dish photography | Professional photos of signature dishes | +25% order value increase |
| Dish descriptions | Appetising, keyword-rich descriptions | Improves relevance signals |
| Broken links | Check and fix all internal/external links | Avoid crawl errors |
- Replace PDF menus with HTML‑based responsive menus (see our case against PDF menus).
- Update prices and seasonal items promptly—no out‑of‑date specials.
- Add dietary labels (vegan, gluten‑free, etc.) to capture dietary‑specific searches.
- Include professional photos of signature dishes—studies show they can increase order values by up to 25%.
- Check for broken links and outdated content across your entire site.
4. Social Media & Engagement
Social media isn’t just about posting pretty pictures; it’s about building a community and driving traffic to your website. An annual audit helps you align your social strategy with your business goals.
Social Media Audit Checklist
| Platform | Key Actions | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Update bio, posting 3–5x/week, use local hashtags, engage with comments | Ongoing + annual profile review | |
| Update info, check events feature, respond to messages | Ongoing + annual review | |
| TikTok | Short-form video content, behind-scenes, trending sounds | 2–3x/week (if active) |
| All Platforms | Review analytics, identify top-performing content, adjust strategy | Monthly + annual deep-dive |
- Update profile bios and links to reflect current offerings and website.
- Maintain a consistent posting schedule (at least 3–5 times per week).
- Engage with followers—reply to comments and messages within a few hours.
- Use local hashtags like #PerthEats, #FremantleFood, #NorthbridgeDining, #MountLawleyBrunch.
- Leverage user‑generated content by reposting customer photos (with permission).
- Track performance metrics (reach, engagement, click‑throughs) to see what works.
5. Photography & Visual Assets
High‑quality visuals are non‑negotiable in hospitality. They influence everything from menu conversions to social‑media engagement. An annual photo shoot ensures your imagery stays fresh and aligned with current trends.
Photography Audit Checklist
| Asset Type | Review Action | Update Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Hero/banner images | Does it reflect current branding and seasonality? | Annually (or with major changes) |
| Menu dish photography | Are all current dishes photographed professionally? | With each menu change |
| Venue/interior shots | Do they show current décor and atmosphere? | Annually (or with renovations) |
| Team photos | Are key team members represented? | Annually (or with staff changes) |
| Image optimisation | WebP format, compressed, descriptive alt text | Every upload |
| GBP photos | 50+ owner photos uploaded and fresh | Quarterly additions |
- Schedule an annual professional photo shoot to capture new dishes, interior updates, and team portraits.
- Optimize all images for the web: Use WebP format, compress to 80‑85% quality, and include descriptive alt text (e.g., “crispy‑pork‑belly‑northbridge‑restaurant.webp”).
- Refresh your hero image on the homepage to reflect seasonal changes or new branding.
- Create a visual style guide to maintain consistency across your website, social media, and printed materials.
To understand the return on investment, read our article on the ROI of professional food photography for Perth venues and using photography across all platforms.
6. Security & Compliance
A secure website protects your customers’ data and builds trust. It also helps your SEO—Google prioritizes secure sites. Annual security checks prevent vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches or downtime.
Security Checklist
| Item | Action | Tool/Method |
|---|---|---|
| SSL certificate | Renew before expiry; ensure all pages load HTTPS | Hosting provider / Let’s Encrypt |
| Privacy policy | Update to reflect current data practices | Legal review / template |
| Backups | Automated daily/weekly backups | Hosting provider / plugin |
| CMS/plugin updates | Keep WordPress/themes/plugins current | Admin dashboard |
| Malware scan | Regular security scanning | Sucuri / Wordfence |
| Password hygiene | Strong passwords, 2FA for admin | Password manager |
- Renew SSL certificate and ensure all pages load over HTTPS.
- Update your privacy policy to reflect current data‑collection practices (GDPR/APP compliance).
- Perform regular backups of your website and database.
- Update CMS, plugins, and themes to their latest versions to patch security holes.
- Scan for malware using a service like Sucuri or Wordfence.
7. Analytics & Tracking
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Annual analytics review helps you understand how visitors find and interact with your site, where they drop off, and what drives conversions.
Analytics Setup Checklist
| Tool | Purpose | Key Metrics to Track |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics 4 | Traffic, behaviour, conversions | Users, sessions, bounce rate, conversion rate |
| Google Search Console | Search performance, indexing | Impressions, clicks, average position, crawl errors |
| GBP Insights | Local visibility, actions | Views, direction requests, calls, website clicks |
| Social Analytics | Social performance | Reach, engagement rate, follower growth |
- Set up Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and verify tracking is working.
- Monitor Google Search Console for impressions, clicks, and average position.
- Track key conversions: online bookings, phone calls, menu views, contact‑form submissions.
- Review audience demographics to tailor marketing efforts.
- Compare year‑over‑year performance to identify trends and opportunities.
Annual Review Timeline
| Quarter | Focus | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Jan–Mar) | Full annual audit; set goals for the year | 4–6 hours |
| Q2 (Apr–Jun) | Website performance + security check | 1–2 hours |
| Q3 (Jul–Sep) | Social media + GBP review; plan annual photo shoot | 2–3 hours |
| Q4 (Oct–Dec) | Analytics year-in-review; prep for next year’s audit | 2–3 hours |
Putting It All Together: The Annual Digital Health Check
Treat this checklist as a living document. Schedule a dedicated day each quarter to review one or two sections, and set aside a full day at the end of each year for a comprehensive audit. By staying proactive, you’ll not only maintain a competitive edge but also catch small issues before they become costly problems.
Remember, your digital presence is often the first—and sometimes only—impression potential customers have of your restaurant. A polished, fast, and engaging online experience tells diners you care about quality and attention to detail, both on‑screen and on‑plate.
Frequently Asked Questions: Annual Digital Checklist
Ready for Your Annual Digital Health Check?
If you’re a Perth restaurant, café, bar, or venue owner in Northbridge, Fremantle, Mount Lawley, Subiaco, or anywhere across WA, now is the perfect time to give your digital presence a thorough review. Use this checklist as your guide, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need expert eyes on your website, photography, or local SEO.
Want a professional, no‑obligation assessment of your current digital health? Book a free digital audit and we’ll analyse your website, Google Business Profile, and visual assets to identify the quick wins that will have the biggest impact on your bookings and bottom line.
Related reading: Learn about the essential 2025 digital toolkit, discover WA hospitality marketing trends, and see what a Perth restaurant website should cost.