How to Sell Websites to Catering Service Businesses
Published on September 9, 2025
Whether it's a rustic backyard wedding, a corporate luncheon, or a lavish holiday party, catering services are in high demand. Across the country, small catering businesses are serving communities with incredible food, presentation, and hospitality.
But there’s one major area where many caterers are falling short: their online presence.
Despite working in a competitive industry where trust and presentation are everything, a surprising number of catering businesses either have outdated websites—or none at all. Some rely solely on word-of-mouth or third-party platforms like Facebook, which limits their control over branding and customer interaction.
For web designers, this presents a flavorful and under-tapped opportunity. These businesses need professional, functional websites that help them grow. And if you're currently running a web design business—or thinking about launching one—catering could be the perfect niche to explore.
Not only is the demand strong, but the competition among web designers in this space is still relatively low. With the right tools and approach, you can position yourself as the go-to expert for building websites that help caterers get found, get booked, and grow their reputation online. Understanding the Unique Needs of Caterers
Catering is a fast-paced, high-touch business. Customers aren’t just buying food—they’re buying presentation, reliability, and an overall experience. A professional website is critical in making that first impression.
Many caterers today rely on dated websites or simple social media pages. This limits their ability to showcase their full offerings, rank in local search results, and gather leads effectively.
The right website helps a caterer:• Showcase their menus and pricing
• Highlight different event packages (weddings, corporate, holiday, etc.)
• Accept event inquiries
• Display high-quality photos of food and past events
• Feature client testimonials to build credibility
• Promote seasonal specials or limited-time offerings
• Make it easy for visitors to find contact info and service areasIn short, a good website helps caterers convert curious visitors into paying customers. Where to Find Catering Clients Who Need a Website
Finding caterers to pitch doesn’t have to be hard—if you know where to look. Here are a few high-impact ways to find businesses that need your web design services:• SiteSwan’s Local Prospecting Tool: Search by zip code or category to quickly find caterers near you with outdated or missing websites.• Google Searches: Try terms like “wedding caterer near me” or “corporate catering [your city]” and audit their websites for poor design or mobile issues.• Social Media: Many caterers post great content on Instagram or Facebook but lack a real website. These are warm leads looking for a more professional presence.• Vendor Directories: Sites like The Knot and WeddingWire often list caterers without websites. Perfect opportunity to pitch a better online solution.• Local Networking: Connect with event planners, photographers, or venues—they work with caterers often and can refer you.• Friends and Family Gatherings: Caterers often work at private parties, graduations, or other celebrations. Ask friends and relatives who they hired and whether those caterers have a professional site.These methods help you target businesses that actually need your services, making your outreach more relevant and more likely to convert. Talk About Results—Not Just a Pretty Website
When it’s time to reach out, don’t lead with technical terms or design buzzwords. They’re looking for more bookings. More leads. More revenue.
So focus on benefits, not just features. Speak to the problems you’re solving.
Here are a few effective talking points for your pitch:• “We help caterers convert more website visitors into booked events.”• “Let clients browse your menu, request a quote, or schedule a call in one-click.”• “Make it easy for people to contact you—even from their phones, even on weekends.”When you frame the conversation around how your service will grow their business, the value becomes instantly clear.
Use SiteSwan’s Catering Service Theme
Building a custom website from scratch can take days—or even weeks. But with SiteSwan’s Catering Website Theme, you can skip the long build times and go straight to launching high-quality, niche-specific websites fast.
The theme is designed with food service businesses in mind and includes:• Menu sections with detailed service descriptions• A lead capture form or quote request feature• Services page for weddings, corporate events, and private parties• Testimonial displays for customer feedback• Eye-catching photo galleries for food and event presentation• SEO optimization for local discovery• Responsive design for mobile browsingThis template can be customized in a few hours—giving you the ability to deliver value fast, while maintaining high design standards.
To take things even further, consider creating a quick homepage mockup using the caterer's business name, logo, or sample content. This gives them something tangible to react to and builds instant trust. It also helps make your offer clear and actionable.
Outline exactly what’s included in the site—pages, forms, galleries, hosting—and explain the benefits, like more leads and less time spent on admin. Add in a realistic timeline and a simple pricing breakdown. The goal is to remove friction and make it easy for the client to say yes.
Grow Through Ongoing Support and Referrals
For most caterers, a website isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it project. They often need seasonal updates, new event photos, limited-time offers, and updated pricing. That gives you an opportunity to offer long-term value through a monthly support plan.
This plan might include regular content updates, photo swaps, hosting, and basic tech support. It helps your client keep their site fresh while creating reliable monthly income for you. And once you deliver great service to one caterer, others will hear about it.
The catering and event industry is closely connected. Happy clients talk. Venues, photographers, and planners are always looking for reliable vendors—and that includes web designers. One successful project can lead to multiple referrals, giving you a strong foothold in a niche with growing demand.
Start Selling Websites to Catering Service Businesses
Selling websites to catering service businesses isn’t just a good business move—it’s a smart niche with real demand. You’re helping passionate food professionals grow their businesses, attract more clients, and stand out in a crowded market.
With SiteSwan’s Catering Website Theme you have everything you need to hit the ground running.
So start small. Reach out to one caterer in your town. Show them what’s possible with a modern, beautiful, and functional website. And then use that momentum to grow your own web design business—one delicious project at a time.