Why TopShelf
Instagram only, a website nobody updates, a friend's favor, or a template you build yourself. Here's what each one really gets you, and what you get with us instead.
Sound familiar?
None of these are bad choices. They just leave guests, bookings and search traffic on the table.
The most common setup on Sixth and Rainey.
Built once, years ago, then forgotten.
A friend, an old employee, a nephew who's good with computers.
Cheap software, expensive time.
Monthly software built for restaurants.
One local studio that handles all of it.
Side by side
| Feature | TopShelf Studios | Instagram only | Old website | Friend built it | Wix / DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shows up on Google for searches like "bars on Rainey Street" | Yes: Built for it | No: Rarely | No: Usually not | Partly: Sometimes | Partly: If you set it up |
| Looks like your bar, not a template | Yes: Custom design | Partly: Your photos, their layout | Partly: Dated | Partly: Depends who | No: Template |
| Menu, hours and specials updated the same day | Yes: Text Rob | Partly: Posts only | No: Rarely | Partly: When they can | Partly: If you do it |
| Private event and VIP inquiries sent to your phone | Yes: Included | No: DMs | No: Usually not | No: Usually not | Partly: If you build it |
| Professional photos and video of your venue | Yes: Welcome shoot | Partly: Phone pics | No: Old photos | No: No | No: Stock or yours |
| QR menus, table tents and guest list capture | Yes: Included | No: No | No: No | No: No | No: No |
| TV slides for drinks, hookah and events | Yes: Add-on | No: No | No: No | No: No | No: No |
| A real person you can text | Yes: Rob, in Austin | No: No | No: No | Partly: Until they leave | No: Support ticket |
| You own your domain and site | Yes: Yes | No: Instagram owns it | Partly: Often unclear | Partly: Often in their name | Partly: Locked to the platform |
| Who does the work | Yes: We do | No: You | No: Nobody | Partly: A favor | No: You |
✓ yes ~ partly or depends ✕ no. Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column.
Numbers from Google Search Console for Austin venues we work with.
The difference
Most web designers never set foot in your venue. We shoot your photos there, put QR menus on your tables and run the slides on your TVs. Your website, your room and your Google listing finally tell the same story.
Building for 19 years
TopShelf Studios is the nightlife studio of Level Nine Media. You get the experience of a 19-year agency and the attention of one local person who walks Rainey and Sixth himself.
Fair questions
Instagram is great for regulars who already follow you. New guests start on Google and Maps, and Google rarely shows Instagram posts for searches like "bars near me." Keep posting. We make sure the people who don't follow you yet can find you too.
Free usually means it gets done when they have time, and the domain and logins often end up in their name. With TopShelf you own everything, and changes go live the same day you text them.
You can. The question is whether you want to be the bar's web team on top of everything else. Our plans include the design, photos, search setup and every update, so you never have to log in.
Plans start at $149 a month. A single private event or a busy happy hour from new guests who found you on Google can cover months of that. Our case studies show the real search numbers from bars we work with.
After the 6-month minimum, you can cancel anytime and the site is yours to keep.
Book a walkthrough
I'll design your homepage before we meet. Compare it to what you have now, then decide.
