Online Ordering Platform for Restaurants: 4 Things to Know
Are you looking for ways to increase online sales at your restaurant? If so, you should consider using an online ordering platform. An online ordering platform allows customers to place orders for food and drinks from your restaurant’s website, in third-party apps, and even through phone support. This can be a great boost to business and increase for restaurant sales.
Let’s get into some of those benefits. Read on to discover what makes the best online ordering platform for businesses like yours. In the end, you’ll find tips on how to choose the best platform for your restaurant.
Online Ordering Platform for Restaurants
An online ordering platform is a system that enables restaurants to receive and manage online orders. It includes a website or mobile app for customers to browse the menu and place orders. An online ordering platform also involves payment processing software and a backend system for the restaurant to manage orders.
Some online ordering platforms for restaurants also provide features such as service delivery management, customer loyalty programs, and eCommerce analytics tools. While some restaurants develop their own online ordering systems, many others use third-party platforms.
Online ordering platforms can either be integrated with a restaurant’s existing website or they can be used as standalone applications. Many online ordering platforms offer both options.
Best Online Ordering Platforms for Restaurants: 4 Features to Look For
If you’re running a restaurant, there’s a good chance you’ve considered using an online ordering platforms for restaurants. Still, online ordering platforms offer several benefits, not the least of which are increased efficiency and increased convenience for both customers and internal staff members.
But with so many online ordering systems on the market, it can be tough to choose the right one for your restaurant.
Here are four features to look for in an online ordering platform for restaurants:
1. Ease of Use
The last thing you want is an online ordering system that’s complicated and difficult to use. Make sure the platform you choose is easy to navigate and understand.
An online ordering platform for restaurants should be easy for both you and your customers. The software should be easy to install and configure, and allows easy management, including adding items to the menu and updating prices.
The system should be compatible and easy to integrate with existing software that your restaurants use, like your point-of-sale (POS) systems. It should also give you a sense of ease through the use of an intuitive interface that makes it simple to browse menus, place orders, and checkout in a snap.
2. Customer Support
Things will go wrong from time to time. When they do, you’ll want an online ordering system that offers excellent customer support.
3. Flexibility
Your online ordering system should be flexible and able to accommodate your restaurant’s unique needs. A good online ordering system should be able to integrate with the systems you already use, like your POS, payments processor, Kitchen Display Controllers (for quick service restaurants [QSRs]), gift card providers, loyalty programs, marketing platforms, and inventory systems.
That way you can keep using the software you’re used to and avoid any headaches or disruptions in service.
4. Scalability
As your business grows, you’ll need an online ordering system that can scale with you. Make sure the platform you choose can handle an increase in orders.
In the United States, about 60% of consumers order delivery or takeout food at least once a week. Of course, this statistic is quickly moving, especially in recent years as the convenience and stability of online ordering has reached peak levels. Getting food to your customer’s door has become more and more appealing to those who can’t be bothered to travel for pre-made meals.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can be sure to find an online ordering system that’s a perfect fit for your restaurant.
How to Choose an Online Ordering Platform for Your Restaurant
If you’re looking to add an online ordering platform for restaurant, there are several details to consider before making your final decision.
are a few tips to help you choose the best online ordering platform for your business:
- Make sure the system is compatible with your existing website and POS system.
- Consider the fees you charge (and that providers leverage) while using the system.
- Read actual reviews to get a clearer idea of its features and user-friendliness overall.
- Make sure the system offers customer support in case you run into any problems.
- Choose a system that allows you to customize your digital menus and order forms.
- Ask about any promotional or marketing tools that come with the system.
- Make sure the system is secure and offers data encryption to protect your customers’ information.
- Choose a system that is mobile-friendly, so customers can order from their smartphones or tablets.
- Consider the features you need and make sure the system you choose offers them.
- Get a demo of the system before making your final decision to make sure it meets your needs.
Follow these tips. If you’re not sure where else to start, we can guide you. Choose a demo with Revolution Ordering to see how we can help your business secure the right online ordering systems for its operations.
Benefits of Online Ordering for Restaurants
There are many benefits of online ordering for restaurants. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it can help to increase sales and profits.
Online ordering helps reduce costs, as there is no need to print menus or take phone orders. Beyond that, online ordering gives a special twist to customer service by giving customers with an easy way to place and track their orders.
There’s no more need for phones or long waiting lines that cut into your end-of-year profits: build brand awareness and loyalty among customers instead.
Some other benefits of online ordering for restaurants include:
- Reaching a wider audience of potential customers
- Allowing customers to order at their convenience
- Providing valuable insights into customer preferences and trends
- Enabling restaurants to offer discounts and promotions
- Streamlining the ordering process
- Reducing the chances of human error
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Ordering Platform for Restaurants
A restaurant online ordering system is a system that enables customers to place orders from restaurants through an online ordering portal. This system allows customers to browse through a restaurant’s menu, select the items they wish to order, and submit their orders electronically.
How Do I Set Up an Online Restaurant Order?
There are a few key components you’ll need in order to set up online ordering. First, you’ll need to choose an eCommerce website builder that works well for your business needs. There are a lot of eCommerce website builders out there. So, how do you know which one is the best?
Look at BlueCart. A platform that complements Revolution Ordering quite nicely, being designed for ecommerce as well as the restaurant industry, can provide all you need to build a successful store, including the ability to house a built-in digital catalog, eCommerce email marketing features, SEO-friendly listings, and secure payments.
BlueCart is also useful for wholesale businesses as our online marketplace reaches 95,000+ qualified buyers. So whether you’re selling direct to consumer, B2B, or wholesale, we have you covered.
After you’ve gotten started on our platform, you’ll need to create accounts with online payment processing companies. Most companies are the same brands as leading payment gateway providers such as BlueCart Pay.
Next, you’ll need to create different types of menu on your eCommerce platform. Be sure to include all necessary information such as prices, descriptions, and photos. Once your menu is created, you can start taking orders!
Ensure that you effectively promote your online ordering software on the primary website for your restaurant as well as any social media accounts. This will all drive traffic to your online and offline store.
By following these steps, you can easily set up online ordering for your restaurant. This provides a convenient way for your customers to place orders, and it can boost sales and revenue.
How Much Does an Online Ordering System Cost?
An online ordering system can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on the features and functionality you need. Basic systems can be as low as $200, while more robust systems with advanced features can cost upwards of $2,000.
When trying to place your finger on the right online ordering platform for your restaurant, never forget the centrality of features and functions. Even the most basic systems allow customers to place orders and make payments. The more advanced systems will offer you real-time inventory tracking, automatic order confirmation, order fulfillment, as well as integrations with third-party applications.
The cost of an online ordering system will also vary depending on the number of users and the amount of traffic your website gets. If you have a high-traffic website, you’ll need a more robust system that can handle the volume of orders.
To get an idea of how much an online ordering system might very well cost your business, get your custom demo. Revolution Ordering is a full-scale online ordering platform for both franchise and individual restaurants. We can streamline and automate numerous ordering processes to give you time back for growing your business.
