We’re digital nomads, living a digital existence! And as a result of this evolution, we have learned that anything we desire or require can be purchased with a few clicks on our beloved smart devices.
Even the food is varied enough to satisfy our various cravings throughout the week. This period truly provides something for everyone, whether they are consumers or service providers.
Given the shifting circumstances, consumers have grown to expect that restaurants will allow them to place online orders. If you are in the restaurant industry but have not yet adopted an online ordering system, you are missing out on numerous opportunities to expand your business significantly.
By implementing modern technology, you not only make the lives of your consumers easier, but you also ensure that your organization can compete effectively in the marketplace. When it comes to online ordering, the choice of technology is not solely based on the capacity to order online but also on the ability to reach the right people at the right time and place.
Benefits of Ordering Online
- Easier Ordering Process
In the past, individuals had to call or drop by restaurants to place orders before waiting for the food to be prepared and served or delivered. Occasionally, placing an order over the phone may result in order errors. These are not the best options for ordering food from restaurants, especially for busy individuals.
The optimal solution is to convert to online ordering. The creation of a website, app, or both by restaurant owners would not only facilitate the ordering procedure for customers but also streamline restaurant operations.
Having an online ordering system can improve a restaurant’s day-to-day operations. In contrast, when a consumer places an online order, they take the time to browse the menu and become acquainted with any add-on bargains and specials that your restaurant may be offering. This can result in an exponential increase in the average order value.
- Good Client and Order Management
An online ordering system for restaurants improves customer-restaurant interaction by providing an end-to-end customer relationship management (CRM) system. It offers a detailed sales dashboard showing details on lifetime sales, new/active/canceled orders, and more.
It also has a system for managing orders that makes the whole ordering process easier, from placing the order to getting it delivered.
An effective online ordering system notifies the restaurant staff via email, app, or SMS whenever a customer places an order, allowing them to execute the order more quickly. On the other hand, such software is also equipped with GPS systems that aid in capturing the whole address, thereby ensuring prompt and timely deliveries.
- Monitor your Expenses in Real-Time.
This is the best benefit of the online ordering system, as it displays an accurate cash flow of the restaurant. You can keep track of expenditures incurred during order preparation and compare them to the price you charge the customer, all while keeping an eye on profitability.
When you get hundreds of orders in one day, a free restaurant online ordering system will tell you how much each order will cost without you having to look at cash registers
- Low-Cost and No-Cost Advertising
By making your brand more visible on the Internet, you can get both new and returning customers to buy more.
A strong internet presence is simply being in front of your clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without having to pay for costly billboard and media advertising. How? Since the Internet is free, you can simply reach your target audience through a user-friendly website and posting social media content on Facebook and Instagram.
All of this comes at a fraction of the price you would pay for a conventional marketing and advertising. You may also invest some time in developing a robust company profile on Google My Business so that anyone searching for a place to get meals in your region or within your delivery radius can quickly locate your business.
Having a dedicated crew that regularly posts on social media and interacts with customers can be shown to be an excellent investment for increasing website traffic and sales.
Tip: Demonstrate the human side of your business by interacting positively with the local community. Establish yourself as someone who genuinely cares about your customers, and don’t be afraid to demonstrate it. Use these social sites to their maximum capacity.
- Better Consumer Data
Who are your typical clients? What do they order most frequently at your restaurant? Which foods are the most popular? Are they aware of the website’s promos and offers? Do they prefer online or mobile ordering? Using analytics and insights supplied by a strong online ordering system for restaurants, these and many other similar questions can be answered.
This information is very important because it lets you make personalized promotions for your customers and encourages them to keep coming back.
With in-house solutions, you can do a deep analysis of how people order and what they like, which lets you change your menu, services, deals, prices, etc. to give each customer a personalized experience.
- Potential for Mobile Ordering
There are occasions when a phone call to order meals is not possible due to meetings or crowded areas. Online ordering enables clients to place orders from their mobile phones, tablets, or other handheld devices at any time, from any location. There is no requirement for the customer to place a call while disturbing their privacy or interrupting a meeting to place a lunch order.
Using a restaurant mobile application, a consumer can place an order without having to speak with a representative. A website or application that is mobile-friendly will guarantee that you will never lose a consumer.
- Maintain a Competitive Advantage.
Did you know that only about 2% to 3% of restaurants worldwide offer internet ordering? This is your time to capitalize on this opportunity and provide your consumers with access to your restaurants at their fingertips.
Independent restaurants are investing in this new takeaway technology to stay ahead of the competition as more and more customers want faster and more convenient ways to order.
In 2019, the number of online restaurant orders was higher than the number of phone orders.
Domino’s Pizza started letting customers order online in 2010. Since then, the company has grown to become the second-largest pizza chain in the world, and the price of its stock has gone from $8 to $200.
Improve your net profit.
Because, ultimately, it is all that matters!
According to the survey, online orders are typically 20% larger, resulting in increased revenue. When clients can browse the menu without feeling rushed, they are more likely to deliberate over their order. The math is straightforward: the more time they have to review, the more likely they are to order. You can highlight particular menu items and launch promotions to encourage their purchase. That is quite a profit!
- Increased Reach
Your restaurant’s sitting capacity may be between 100 and 200 people, or even less, but with online ordering, you may reach thousands of people simultaneously and serve a significantly larger customer base without incurring additional staffing or infrastructure costs. Only a well-integrated online ordering system is required for success.
Does the pandemic harm your business?
Make your restaurant crisis-proof right away!
Every day in the present COVID era, thousands of eateries enter the digital realm by developing their online ordering website or mobile application. No one is unaware of the potential of an online ordering system in a world affected by COVID.
The proprietors of restaurants have learned that investing a little amount of money each month in technology solutions not only ensures their ability to survive the pandemic but also prepares them for future demand. People will get used to how easy and safe this model is, and as a result, they will prefer to work with restaurant brands that let them order online.
In addition, having an additional revenue stream for your firm allows you to adapt to changing market conditions. No matter how the economy is doing, your restaurant will always be able to meet the needs of its customers and give its workers a stable income.
Setting up an online ordering system puts a restaurant in a position to be more efficient and keep generating more profit.
You don’t have to pay for any expenses associated with receiving phone orders, which equals more profits every month.
The majority of people spend hours online every day. You will not only meet your consumers where they are by establishing an online ordering system and smart marketing methods, but you will also stand out as an innovative firm.
If you’re new to online shopping, offering discounts is a good way to entice customers to place orders on your site.
Want more information about online ordering?
Contact us and observe how rapidly your restaurant will profit from this results-driven technology!