In the ever-competitive world of hospitality, your pub’s website is more than just a digital brochure—it’s your 24/7 salesperson. With more patrons searching online before choosing where to spend their night out or book a private event, your pub’s website needs to be modern, mobile-first, and customer-focused.
Whether you run a lively venue with regular gigs or offer spaces for birthdays and special occasions, having the right website features is key to converting online visitors into paying customers. Here’s our guide to the most essential pub website features in 2025, based on what’s working for our clients like The Clock Tavern – Pub Website Design in Westport.
1. Mobile-First Design
With more than 85% of pub website traffic now coming from mobile devices, responsive design is non-negotiable. Your site should load fast, look great on any screen size, and make it easy to navigate with a thumb.
Features to include:
- Tap-to-call buttons
- Quick access to maps and directions
- Mobile-optimised booking forms
- Clickable Instagram/Facebook icons
A mobile-first pub website doesn’t just look good—it performs better in Google search rankings too.
2. Easy-to-Use Booking or Enquiry Forms
Pubs that offer event spaces need frictionless enquiry forms. Whether it’s for a birthday bash or a hen party, visitors shouldn’t have to call or email to check availability.
Use tools like WPForms to create custom event enquiry forms that:
- Ask for key info (date, type of event, guest numbers)
- Are mobile-friendly
- Notify your team immediately via email
This saves everyone time and increases the chances of securing a booking.
3. Live Instagram Feed Integration
Social proof is powerful. An Instagram feed embedded in your homepage shows potential guests that your venue is lively, fun, and current.
Plugins like Smash Balloon’s Instagram Feed Pro Elite let you:
- Showcase your most recent posts automatically
- Avoid needing to update your website manually
- Keep your content fresh and engaging
This is a must-have feature for any pub website in 2025.
4. Event Spaces with Clear Descriptions
If your pub has multiple rooms or venues available for hire, each one should have its own section on your website.
Make sure to include:
- Photos of the space
- Capacity and suggested use (e.g., birthdays, open mic)
- Booking availability or FAQs
The clearer you are, the easier it is for guests to decide if it’s right for them.
5. Google Business and Maps Integration
Being found locally is critical. Ensure your website links to your Google Business Profile and includes an interactive Google Map on your contact page.
This helps with:
- Local SEO
- Making it easy for tourists to find you
- Increasing visibility on mobile search (especially “near me” queries)
Claiming and optimising your Google Business listing should go hand in hand with any website launch.
6. SEO Optimised Pages and Long-Tail Keywords
Your pub won’t rank for “website design” or “best pub” overnight. But you can rank for terms like:
- “Pub venue hire in Westport”
- “Private event pub with live music”
- “Best birthday party pub Ireland”
Optimise your site with these long-tail keywords to reach the right audience at the right time.
Don’t forget:
- Use them in page titles and headings
- Add them to image alt text and meta descriptions
- Link internally to your case studies or event booking pages
7. Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Let your customers do the talking. Add a section with real testimonials or embed Google Reviews on your homepage or event page.
This builds trust and shows that others have had a good time at your venue. Bonus points if you include photos or social screenshots.
8. Fast Loading Speed
Speed matters. A slow website can cause visitors to bounce—and you miss a potential booking. Optimise images, use caching tools, and make sure your hosting can handle spikes in traffic.
Google also uses page speed as a ranking factor, especially on mobile.
Final Thoughts
Pubs in Ireland that want to stay relevant in 2025 need more than just a website – they need a digital experience that reflects their venue’s energy and professionalism. From mobile-first design to enquiry forms and social integration, every detail matters.
Looking to update your pub website? See what we did for The Clock Tavern or get in touch to learn more about our Pub Website Design Services.
