Restaurants everywhere have been struggling over the past couple of years. Between forced closures, reduced seating, and staffing issues, it has been an uphill battle. But there is one solution that can help: an online ordering system.

Let’s look more into this matter, answering the questions, what is online ordering and how can it help your restaurant business?

What is Online Ordering?

An online ordering system is set up on your restaurant’s website and allows your customers to view your menu and select items that they want to purchase. From here, they can decide whether they want to pick up their meal or have it delivered.

Then, the system sends this order directly to your device so that you can prepare it for pickup or delivery.
Many, when they hear of online ordering, assume that it’s the same as such third-party delivery apps as UberEats or DoorDash. But, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Many of these third-party apps charge exorbitant fees that put undue hardship on local restaurants. In some cases, these restaurants are paying so much in high fees and commissions that they are losing money on every purchase.
But this is just one side of the story.

There are other online ordering systems, such as DevourNow, that are there to help local restaurants succeed, with very low, manageable fees.

Why should you consider using an online ordering system for your restaurant or food truck? Let’s look at some of the important reasons that may help you to decide.

8 Reasons Why Your Restaurant Should Use an Online Ordering System

1. Increases the Number of Customers You Can Serve

No matter how big your space is, you are limited in how many people can serve just by the mere number of seats you have in your restaurants. But having an ordering system online opens you up to double or even triple your orders and cash flow, depending on how many orders you get.

2. Cuts Down on Human Error

When you’re taking orders by phone, it’s easy to misconstrue someone’s order. But with a built-in system for taking online orders, your customers can pick exactly what they want to order and you can see exactly what they want.

Related Content: Short Staffing Becoming an Issue? Online Ordering Can Help

3. Allows You to Customize on the Go

A system for online orders give you some incredible customization power. Right from the beginning, you can specify your menu options. But, if you have rotating specials, you can change your menu on the fly with a few clicks of a button. Or, say, if a particular item is not available one night, you can quickly go in and remove it from your online ordering menu.

4. Gives Customers a Safe Way to Order

This is a point that was especially vital during the height of the pandemic and continues to be a concern for some patrons. Going to a restaurant and ordering food has been one of the biggest transmission factors for COVID-19 and its variants. With online ordering, however, it cuts down on contact points and allows both customers and local restaurants to do business in a way that keeps both parties safe.

5. Can Result in Higher Customer Spend

Customers who order off of an actual menu might not see all of the options or extras that they can order. With an online order, however, they can see all their options. You can even show them specials and extras that they might otherwise miss, which often results in them spending more.

6. Online Ordering Is Cheaper for You

An online ordering system is something that you can set up that does a lot of the work for you. You no longer have to worry about having someone to pick up the phone or training someone in what is available for pickup or delivery. The online system takes care of a lot of that work for you, leaving you to focus on your many other tasks. When done right, online ordering really can save you money!

7. Increases Customer Loyalty

As customers become more accustomed to an online ordering setup, they realize how easy it is to put in an order for their favorite dishes. After all, it cuts back on the time that they would spend getting ready and driving to your location. This ease of use builds loyalty in many customers, bringing them back time and time again.

8. The Branding is All Yours

When you set up an online ordering system on your website, you don’t have to worry about competing with other restaurants, such as you might on platforms like UberEats or GrubHub. Instead, when customers visit your site, the attention is all on you. It gives you the opportunity to really invest in branding and make their experience a memorable one.

Concluding Thoughts on Online Ordering

As you can see, there are so many benefits to setting up your website to take online orders. If you’ve had a bad experience in the past, keep in mind that that is not the complete story. There are brands, such as DevourNow, that truly want to provide a system that helps restaurants to thrive with online orders — without massive fees holding them back.

If this is you and you would like to learn more, you can click here to find more information about our restaurant solutions.