We're digital nomads, living a digital life! And one thing that we have learned over the course of this evolution is that whatever we want or need, can be obtained with just a few clicks on our beloved smart devices. Even the food - all kinds, to satiate our different cravings on different days of the week. It's really an era that has something for everyone - whether a consumer or a provider.
Given the changing scenarios, largely, consumers have come to expect the ability of a restaurant to allow them to place orders online. If you are in a restaurant business and yet to join the bandwagon of the restaurant online ordering system, you're already missing out on some great opportunities to grow your business exponentially. By adopting new technology, you don't just simplify the lives of your customers, but also ensure that your business is able to stand tall in the competitor market. When it comes to online ordering, the choice of technology isn't about the ability to order online, but also to reach the right people in the right places and at the right time.
Here are the 9 advantages of online ordering:
1. Makes the ordering process easier
Traditionally, people had to make calls to place orders or drive to the restaurants for a take-out, then wait for the food to be prepared and delivered. Sometimes, placing an order on the phone means that there could be mistakes in order. Clearly, these aren't really the best solutions to order food from restaurants especially for people with busy lifestyles.
The best solution is switching over to online ordering. Restaurants owners can create a website or an app or both that will not only make the ordering process easier for customers but also streamline restaurant operations. Having an online ordering system can make day-to-day operations more efficient for a restaurant. On the other hand, when a customer places an order online, they take their time to browse the menu and get familiar with add-on deals and offers that your restaurant must be offering. This can lead to an exponential increase in the total sale value per order.
👉 Read how Wedgewood doubled their revenue with Restolabs
2. Efficient customer and order management
An online ordering system for Restaurants helps enhance the customer-restaurant relationship by providing end to end Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. It provides a complete sales dashboard with information about new/active/canceled orders, lifetime sales details, etc.
It also comes with an order management system that streamlines the entire ordering process starting from order placement to final delivery.
Whenever customers place an order, an efficient online ordering system sends notifications via email or SMS to help the restaurant staff make the order execution faster. On the other hand, such software is also equipped with GPS systems that help you capture the entire address that in turn ensure timely and fast deliveries.
3. Monitor your expenses incurred in real-time
This is the greatest benefit of the online ordering system, it gives precise information about the cash flow in the restaurant. You get to keep track of costs incurred during preparing an order and compare it to the cost you are giving it to the customer, all this while keeping a track on the profitability. In a day when you receive hundreds of orders, an online ordering system will give you an accurate monetary translation of each order without having you look into cash registers.
4. Free and cheap marketing
By enhancing your brand’s online presence in the market, you can boost your sales with additional new and returning customers.
Having a strong online presence simply means being in front of your customers 24X7 without having to pay for expensive media advertising and billboards. How? Internet is a free community and all you need is a user-friendly website and a decent social media engagement on social platforms like Facebook and Instagram to reach your target audience. All this comes at a fraction of the cost that you would have spent on traditional means of marketing and promotions. You can also invest some time in creating a strong company profile on Google My Business so people looking out to order food in your area or in your delivery range can find your business with a quick search. Having a dedicated team that can post on social media regularly and engages with your customers will prove to be a good investment to drive traffic and sales on the website.
Pro Tip: Show the human side of the business and engage with the local community positively. Establish yourself as someone who really cares about the customers, and don’t be shy to show it. Use these social platforms to their fullest.
5. Better customers data
Who are your regular customers? What do they like ordering from your restaurant? Which food items are popular? Are they aware of the promotions and offers on the website? Do they prefer ordering from a website or app? These and many other related questions can be answered using analytics and insights provided by a robust online ordering system for restaurants. This data is valuable since you can use it to send targeted promotions to your customers and entice them to keep coming back.
In-house solutions allow you to analyze ordering trends and customer preferences in depth so you can customize your menu, offerings, deals prices, and so on to provide a tailored experience to everyone.
6. The convenience of mobile ordering
From meetings to crowded areas, there are times when one may not be able to make a phone call to order food. Online ordering allows customers to order anytime, anywhere using their mobiles, tablets or other handheld devices. There is no need for the customer to reach out and make a call meanwhile disturbing their privacy or disrupting a meeting for a lunch order. With a mobile app, the customer can quietly place an order without the hassle of talking over the phone. A mobile-friendly website or app will make sure that you never lose a customer.
7. Stay ahead of the competition
Did you know there are only 2-3% of restaurants in the world that offer online ordering facility? This is your chance to make the most of this opportunity and make your restaurants available to your customers on their fingertips. With the growing consumer demand for faster, more convenient ways to order, independent restaurants are investing in this new takeout technology to stay ahead in the competition.
“In 2019, the percentage of restaurant orders placed online exceeded the quantity placed verbally over the phone”.
Domino’s Pizza introduced their online ordering system in 2010 and since then the company has grown to become the second-largest pizza chain in the world with the stock price rising from $8 to $200.
8. Grow your bottom line
Because in the end, that's what that really matters!
According to the survey conducted by Restolabs' research team, it was found that Orders placed online are 20 percent larger on average, which means more revenue. When customers can browse the menu without feeling rushed bylines, they tend to spend more time deciding what to order. The math is simple: the more time they have to look over, the more they are likely to order. You can highlight specific items on menus and run promotions to influence their purchase. Now that’s a profit!
9. Greater reach
Your restaurant seating capacity maybe 100-200 at a time, or even less, but with online ordering, you can reach thousands of people at a time, and cater to a much larger number without having to make any additional investment in staff or infrastructure. All you need is a well-integrated online ordering system and you are good to go!
Make your restaurant future ready now!
Millions of restaurants are venturing into the digital space by launching their own in-house online ordering website or a mobile app. Restaurant owners have realized that investing a small amount of money every month on such technological solutions will not only ensure that they are able to cater to the changing demands of the tech-savvy generation. People are now habituated of the convenience and safety that this model provides, and thus, would prefer engaging with restaurant brands that provide online ordering and doorstep delivery options.
Further to it, having an additional revenue stream for your business helps stay afloat during uncertain situations as we saw with COVID-19 outbreak. Crisis or no crisis, your restaurant will always be equipped to face uncertain situations, fulfill your customers' needs, as well as keep your staff feeling financially secure.
👉Read how Online Ordering and Delivery can help your business see the other side of the adversity
Setting up an online ordering system sets up a restaurant for efficiency, growth, and a steady increase in revenue.
Most people are online for hours every day. By implementing an online ordering system coupled with effective marketing strategies, you’ll not only meet your customers where they are, but you’ll also stand out as an innovative business.
If you’re new to online ordering, a good way to start is to encourage customers to order on your site by offering discounts.
Want to learn more about Online Ordering? Book a live demo, with one of our online ordering specialists today and do not forget to Claim your 90 Days Free Trial!
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