Do you remember flipping through phone books in hopes of finding a restaurant, then ordering by phone, only to hope and pray that the order came out just right? Yeah, those days are fading faster than a perfectly cooked soufflé. We live in a world moving at breakneck speed, run by convenience, and right now, the whole restaurant industry is being deliciously disrupted by the rise of online ordering.
A spike in ordering online is not just some fad but a tenet change in customer behavior. Diners, and especially those from the millennial and Gen Z generations, always seek life's conveniences and desire it in the fastest way possible. They surf through the menu, possibly customize orders, and pay for it all while sitting comfortably on their favorite couch (or in a park, or on a subway car – you catch my drift).
This newfound control over the ordering process is a huge driver of why ordering online is taking off in such a big way. No more waiting on hold or battling restaurant background noise. With a few taps or clicks, a feast is on its way, freeing up precious time for customers to focus on other things—like scrolling through social media to decide what to eat next!
A Win-Win for Restaurants: Growth and Efficiency
Ordering online proves beneficial not only for hungry customers alone; it acts as a game-changer for restaurants also. Studies indicate that restaurants implementing online ordering experience a significant sales increase, ranging from 10% to 30%. This growth can be attributed to increased order frequency, higher average order values, and attracting new customers who prefer online ordering convenience. The business advantages of using ordering online are as follows:
Increased Revenue
Online ordering exposes your restaurant to a much larger market. Busy professionals, families balancing hectic schedules, and even those who just want to spend an evening in can now easily find out about your restaurant and order food from the comfort of their own home. This translates to more orders and by extension more money—your accountant will be pleased.
Increases Efficiency
Think of a world with no confusion from phone orders being lost or misunderstood in the mix. Online ordering systems reduce confusion in the ordering, freeing your staff to do what they do best—create culinary masterpieces.
Data-Driven Decisions
This one feature makes ordering online services packed with analytics, valuable. Keep track of customer preferences, know what a popular dish is, and when peak ordering periods are. That is a goldmine of data on which to base informed decisions about your menu, promotions, and staffing needs.
Marketing Magic
Online ordering platforms often have built-in marketing tools in place that allow for everything from running targeted promotions and making special online-only offers to working in social media management to get the word out about your newest dishes.
Adapting to the Future: Challenges and Considerations
Naturally, no culinary revolution can be all roses and champagne. Here's what you'll have to keep in mind as you adapt your operation to ordering online in a shifting world:
Most ordering online takes a commission on the order value. Include these as part of your pricing since the online channel still has to remain profitable.
Delivery Logistics
Working with a third-party delivery service, if you do not have a standing delivery of your own, makes the equation even more complicated. Couples need to stick with a trusted fleet that emphasizes the food quality and timeliness in which it is delivered.
Optimizing the Menu
An online menu needs to be easy to understand, unambiguous, and beautiful in its aesthetics. Good photographs do make all the difference to make customers make an order.
Customer Communication
A clean ordering experience should not end at 'place order.' Ensure that the customer is aware of every step, especially the estimated delivery time, and provide a platform for ease of feedback.
The Future is Flavorful: Embrace Online Ordering
It's not just a fad—online ordering is increasingly becoming the face of the future in the restaurant business. There is a great opportunity surrounding ordering online and its related technology that can not only streamline your operation but also ensure adherence and bring diners back for more.
Don't stay in the digital dust! Begin the process of renovating your restaurant business in a convenience-friendly age by scheduling a demo with eatOS. Our ordering online platform financially fits your needs. With a little planning and the right tools from us, you'll be able to turn your restaurant into an ordering online powerhouse, making sure great food is made accessible to a wider audience than ever before. So what are you waiting for? Begin your online ordering journey today with us and get ready to take your restaurant to a whole new level!
