We are living in a digital world, where technology is growing faster than our imagination. Our preferences are changing every day and we want things to work faster, better and smarter. Technology is changing the way we do things, including the way we order food. In an age of being able to get everything delivered at our doorstep, restaurants are learning to adopt the newer and faster strategy of operating with online ordering systems.

What Do Statistics Say About Online Food Ordering?

A survey by Technomic found that 60% of restaurant operators speak in favor of offering online ordering and delivery as it tends to generate high sales and better revenue. These statistics also indicate that it is essential for all restaurants to integrate online food ordering with their POS and websites if they want to sustain in the competitive industry. With over 80% internet users ordering food online, restaurants need to up their game with not just by investing in an online ordering system, but by investing in a smart, one-solution for all ordering software and application.  

In the US market revenue statistics, it was found that the revenue of online food delivery segment is expected to reach US$16,980m by the end of 2018, increasing at a rate of  7.5% with market volume rising to US$24,345m by 2023.

Benefits of Using Online Ordering For Restaurants

Competing With Big Brands

When it comes to marketing strategies, Bigger Brands have their priority set right, almost all the time. More often than not, they know how to make the most of the first-mover advantage and eventually encourage or push (depending upon one's perspective) to jump the bandwagon of the new trend or the technology. If you want to be "one of those", you must be flexible with adopting the latest technology without any further delay. Dominoes, for instance, played its card right by being one of the first ones, in India, to be adopting and integrating online ordering, as well as live tracking systems on their website. This move not only added to the bottom line but also helped the company gain the trust and loyalty of their customers, resulting in repeat orders. So if you want to compete with bigger brands, having a website with well integrated and seamless online ordering with additional features will help you get an edge in the market.

Targeting The Convenience of Millennials

Bringing services closer to the convenience of millennials is the key to succeed in business, at least in the current scenario. If you want to make money, you gotta keep the millennials happy and satisfied. Statistics reports suggest that by the year 2018, US millennials will have the purchasing power of more than $3.39trillion.  Thus restaurants need to have an online ordering system to capture this segment of the market.

Better Customer Service And Experience

A smart website and a mobile app offer a multitude of ways that you can effectively use to make every customer feel a unique sense of belonging. For example, addressing your customers by their first names in follow-up emails and order confirmations, sending thankyou messages for orders, or brief email message once in a while expressing your gratitude towards their loyalty for your brand. Smart online ordering systems come equipped with a wide range of features that help communicate better with your customers, building strong relationships that will keep your restaurant thriving for years.

Helps Restaurants Improve Operations

From improved order accuracy to decreased processing time to better use of the staff on service, implementing an online food ordering system is sure to operational efficiencies in your restaurant. One of the major advantages of doing so is that the responsibility of getting the order right is on the customer and your staff won't be stuck on the phone with an indecisive customer who wants them to read the entire menu to them.

Helps In Customer Data Collection And Expanded Market Reach

For businesses, consumer data is a necessity. For restaurants to increase their revenue, they must have a bank of customer's data that they can utilize details one to send out promotion emailers,  and details on other campaigns to divert them to their website. With online ordering, you not only get to collect this data but also get the right to utilize the information for the business purpose. Organizing a new event at your restaurant? Simply import the data from the system, segregate as per the interests and shoot out a mass mail to your customers who you think would be willing to attend the event. It's as simple as that!

Referral Programs

Customers like to enroll in referral programs of the restaurant, especially when that restaurant lies in the category of their most favorite restaurants. With a solid referral program seamlessly integrated with online ordering, you can optimize your business’ sales cycles, producing qualified prospects that will lead to a better ROI than cold calling or generating brand-new leads through telephonic marketing.

Hassle-Free Process

In the online food ordering system, customers run through a simplified process of ordering food by visiting the website or application of the restaurant. Compared to the traditional method it is faster and is much more efficient for a customer. There is no hassle, the order gets placed on the system efficiently and is processed by the restaurant quickly.

Zero Error

With online ordering, there is hardly any error as the restaurant gets the exact order details from the customer. The bridge of telephonic conversation in the olden days used to create a lot of confusion for the restaurant operator and orders were misplaced. Online ordering has zero error, and customers are happier with getting their desired food.

Low-Cost Marketing

Having an online food ordering website or an application itself is marketing of the restaurant. A restaurant gets promoted with zero investment in marketing with an online presence. Not all understand it but with rising revenue restaurants have started to build their online presence for attracting more customers.

Transparent System

In online food ordering, there are no hidden agendas. A customer knows what he is paying for and the restaurant earns the trust of the customer and creates a better business opportunity by making permanent customers.

If you are a restaurant owner and want to increase your revenue, you need to develop the appetite to have an online presence. You need to integrate your restaurant with smart online ordering software. Restolabs can help your restaurant attract more customers and increase the potentials of the business.