Having an online food ordering system is no longer just a luxury for restaurants, it’s a necessity. With the ease of use of online ordering system and the changing preferences of consumers, offering online ordering has become a crucial component of a successful restaurant business.Our guide will show you how, and explain the incredible benefits an online ordering system can bring to your business.
The Importance of an Online Food Ordering System
The statistics speak for themselves. Online ordering for food has grown 300% faster than dine-in since 2014, accounting for 40% of total restaurant sales. With online ordering, restaurants can increase their takeout profits by 30%. Over 80% of restaurants use technology, like online ordering, reservation, and inventory apps, to run their business efficiently (Source).
- Offering online food ordering distinguishes your brand and boosts profits by attracting a wider customer base.
- Convenience is paramount, allowing customers to order their favorite dishes from the comfort of their homes or on the go.
- Streamlining operations is a key benefit, reducing wait times and minimizing order errors.
- Customer engagement evolves, and an online ordering system adapts to changing preferences, meeting customers where they are.
- Empowering customers to place orders anytime, anywhere enhances their overall experience, keeping your brand ahead of the competition.
Steps to Set Up an Online Food Ordering System
- Know Your Audience
Before establishing your online food ordering system, it’s crucial to understand your target audience. Who constitutes your customer base? What are their preferences and behaviors? Surveys and market research focused on your customers will provide insights into how they utilize online ordering and outline their expectations. This understanding is pivotal for tailoring your online ordering system to meet their needs, ensuring a seamless and satisfying ordering experience. - Invest in a Restaurant Online Ordering System
To set up an online food ordering system, you will need a reliable and user-friendly platform. Look for a restaurant online ordering system that offers features like menu customization, order management, and integration with payment gateways. There are many factors that a restaurant owner needs to consider when choosing an online platform. Some other important factors to consider in choosing the right platform for your restaurant’s needs are user experience, technical support and pricing. - Build Your Online Ordering Menu
Once you have chosen your online ordering platform, it’s time to build your online ordering menu. Take high-quality photos of your dishes and create enticing descriptions. Organize your menu user-experience that takes into consideration the format, navigation and menu items based on data. Make sure to include any customization options and dietary information to cater to different preferences and restrictions. - Weigh Out the Pros and Cons of Third-Party Apps and Delivery
While setting up your online food ordering system, you may also consider partnering with third-party apps and delivery services. Third-party apps like DoorDash and GrubHub can expand your footprint and bring in new customers, but they often charge fees which can significantly reduce your profit margins. Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks, and decide if partnering with these platforms aligns with your goals and business model. - Create a New Guest Experience for Online Orders
With online food ordering, you have the opportunity to create a unique guest experience. Consider offering features like order tracking, which allow customers to follow their food order in real-time (think the Domino’s tracker on their website). Use data to personalize the recommendations based on order history or preferences. Implement loyalty programs and special promotions for online orders to incentivize repeat business. - Market Your Online Ordering
Once your online food ordering system is set up, it’s crucial to promote it to your customers. Creating awareness for your new online experience through your website, email marketing, reviews, and social media will encourage customers to explore this convenient ordering option. Consider offering incentives, such as discounts or free delivery, for first-time online orders. Through proactive marketing of your online ordering system, you can attract more customers and boost order volume. - Train Your Staff to Handle Online Orders
Having a well-trained staff is essential for successfully managing online orders. Train your front-of-house and kitchen staff on how to handle online orders efficiently. Ensure they are familiar with the online ordering platform and can navigate through the system seamlessly. Provide clear guidelines on order processing, packaging, and delivery instructions. By training your staff, you can ensure smooth operations and a positive customer experience. - Gather Insights from Online Ordering Restaurant Reporting
Take advantage of the reporting capabilities provided by your online food ordering system. Monitor key metrics like order volume, popular menu items, and customer feedback. Analyze the data to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to optimize your online ordering system. Use the insights gathered to refine your menu, streamline operations, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Benefits of EZ-Chow and Their Digital Ordering Solutions
EZ-Chow offers a comprehensive digital ordering solution for restaurant brands, enabling them to boost revenue by improving operations and meeting customer expectations. With their online food ordering platform, restaurants can enjoy the following benefits:
- Enhanced Customer Experience: EZ-Chow’s platform provides a seamless and user-friendly ordering experience for customers. Features like self-service order pickup and online order pickup reduce congestion and increase order numbers, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Improved Kitchen Efficiency: EZ-Chow’s order management and kitchen display features enable restaurants to maximize kitchen efficiency and throughput. Orders are securely managed, eliminating mix-ups and enhancing communication between the front-of-house and back-of-house.
- Pickup and Delivery Integrations: EZ-Chow’s end-to-end service offers pickup and delivery integrations, allowing restaurants to grow customer loyalty. Their contactless smart food locker solution saves time, increases revenue, and cuts down on throughput.
- EZ-Chow’s digital ordering solutions provide a one-stop-shop for restaurants, empowering them to manage their operations effectively and efficiently.
Wrapping Up
The success of your restaurant depends on creating experiences that cater to your customers’ preferences. An online ordering system is one of those experiences that accomplishes this. By offering online ordering, you can tap into the growing market of online food delivery and increase your revenue. For the best success, follow the steps in our guide to set up your online food ordering system, and consider partnering with EZ-Chow for a comprehensive digital ordering solution. With the right platform and strategy in place, you can enhance customer satisfaction, streamline operations, and boost your restaurant’s profitability.
The key to success is to adapt to changing consumer preferences and leverage technology to your advantage. Embrace online food ordering and position your restaurant for growth in the competitive restaurant industry.
Book a demo with EZ-Chow today and revolutionize your restaurant’s online ordering experience.
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Author
Marketing,Branding & e-Commerce -Consultant
Click to learn more about Bernie Fussenegger
