If your restaurant still hasn’t made the addition of online ordering, it’s possible you may not yet see the immediate need. You haven’t been losing money, you’re gaining customers, and maybe you’re even doing pretty well overall.
But let’s face it, doing ‘pretty well’ isn’t the mindset that compelled you to seek success in this tough restaurant industry. No, you were determined to thrive; triumph; flourish!
And it’s with that in mind that you continue to seek greater efficiency, more loyal customers, happy staff, and ultimately, increased profits.
So, while your current system or way of doing things may be pretty good, don’t let complacency stand in the way of future success.
And if you’re still hesitant about making the jump for online ordering, consider the following ways that it can help to increase and foster your customers base, boost efficiency, and increase sales.
But let’s face it, doing ‘pretty well’ isn’t the mindset that compelled you to seek success in this tough restaurant industry. No, you were determined to thrive; triumph; flourish!
And it’s with that in mind that you continue to seek greater efficiency, more loyal customers, happy staff, and ultimately, increased profits.
So, while your current system or way of doing things may be pretty good, don’t let complacency stand in the way of future success.
And if you’re still hesitant about making the jump for online ordering, consider the following ways that it can help to increase and foster your customers base, boost efficiency, and increase sales.
"don’t let complacency stand in the way of future success"
1. Online Ordering Software Makes Food Ordering Fast, Easy, and Comfortable
When it comes to ordering food, it’s hard to imagine anything more convenient than ordering online with just a few clicks on your device. With a visit to one website, you’ve eliminated the need to get into your car and drive somewhere to place an order, or talk to someone on the phone (which is becoming an increasingly dreadful task as other forms of communication grow in popularity).
I have seen firsthand, friends decide to order from a different establishment solely because they would rather not get off the couch or speak to someone on the phone — this is the world we live in now — and full transparency, I may be guilty of this too.
Furthermore, it seems like everyone is busy, all the time. Whether it’s for work, a meeting, appointments, etc., waiting in lines just isn’t something people have much time for these days. That being said, online ordering can enable you the opportunity to place your order as you’re on the way to a restaurant so that your order is ready by the time you arrive.
If that’s not the epitome of convenience, then I don’t know what is. And in this world where everything is and is expected to be fast, convenience plays a major role in the decision-making process of customers choosing a service.
I have seen firsthand, friends decide to order from a different establishment solely because they would rather not get off the couch or speak to someone on the phone — this is the world we live in now — and full transparency, I may be guilty of this too.
Furthermore, it seems like everyone is busy, all the time. Whether it’s for work, a meeting, appointments, etc., waiting in lines just isn’t something people have much time for these days. That being said, online ordering can enable you the opportunity to place your order as you’re on the way to a restaurant so that your order is ready by the time you arrive.
If that’s not the epitome of convenience, then I don’t know what is. And in this world where everything is and is expected to be fast, convenience plays a major role in the decision-making process of customers choosing a service.
2. Online Ordering Software Increases Sales
Another reason to consider adding online ordering to your restaurant offering is that research has shown that on average, customers will spend more on online orders than they will when dining inside a restaurant.
In fact, 34% of diners say they usually pay up to $50 per order when ordering food online. The average spend per person in a full-service restaurant averages $16–30. (computant)
One reason for the increased size of online orders goes back to the factor of comfort.
When customers are comfortable and able to browse a menu without feeling rushed by lines or waiters, they are more likely to explore upsells and customize their order with add-on items. This turns into extra revenue that comes without you having to do any physical upselling.
In fact, 34% of diners say they usually pay up to $50 per order when ordering food online. The average spend per person in a full-service restaurant averages $16–30. (computant)
One reason for the increased size of online orders goes back to the factor of comfort.
When customers are comfortable and able to browse a menu without feeling rushed by lines or waiters, they are more likely to explore upsells and customize their order with add-on items. This turns into extra revenue that comes without you having to do any physical upselling.
3. Online Ordering Software Boosts Efficiency
Online ordering can save a lot of time and money in the restaurant by increasing efficiency in the collection and execution of orders.
Many times phone orders can be misheard or recorded incorrectly, and this can happen for a number of reasons. For instance, some restaurants are very fast-paced and can be a bit loud which can make hearing the customer on the phone difficult. Additionally, inattentive employees, unclear speaking customers, and even menu confusion can cause incorrect orders to reach the customer.
Online ordering software helps to reduce this human error involved in order taking because everything can be checked before submitting the order, and the orders are received in an easy-to-read format which makes them easy to process.
Another way that online ordering boosts efficiency is by enabling better use of employee time.
Research shows 75% of phone orders take more than a minute, and 30% take longer than three minutes. When added up, every 100 takeout orders received each week can save restaurants over 2.5 hours of workers' time. That is a lot of time that your restaurant could save by allowing customers to order online.
Many times phone orders can be misheard or recorded incorrectly, and this can happen for a number of reasons. For instance, some restaurants are very fast-paced and can be a bit loud which can make hearing the customer on the phone difficult. Additionally, inattentive employees, unclear speaking customers, and even menu confusion can cause incorrect orders to reach the customer.
Online ordering software helps to reduce this human error involved in order taking because everything can be checked before submitting the order, and the orders are received in an easy-to-read format which makes them easy to process.
Another way that online ordering boosts efficiency is by enabling better use of employee time.
Research shows 75% of phone orders take more than a minute, and 30% take longer than three minutes. When added up, every 100 takeout orders received each week can save restaurants over 2.5 hours of workers' time. That is a lot of time that your restaurant could save by allowing customers to order online.
4. Online Ordering Software Helps You Connect with Customers
Last, but definitely not least, it’s all about the customers!
We all know that the best way to gain loyal customers is to create happy customers. And to create happy customers, you need to understand them. Who are they, and what are their habits? When and what do they normally order? What are their ordering preferences?
According to Aaron Allen and Associates, a global restaurant consulting group, “over 50 percent of customers expect to be greeted with some technologically innovative options when they go to place an order and that adding a tech element… can increase revenue by 10 percent or more.”
All of this data, plus more, is available with a good online ordering system. Restaurants are then able to make informed decisions towards customizing offerings and creating specific experiences for individual customers.
In addition to understanding your customer, online ordering systems can also allow you to digitally reach out to your customers through the use of social media. By integrating social media into your online ordering software, customers are able to connect with your restaurants on another level and will be more likely to visit.
We all know that the best way to gain loyal customers is to create happy customers. And to create happy customers, you need to understand them. Who are they, and what are their habits? When and what do they normally order? What are their ordering preferences?
According to Aaron Allen and Associates, a global restaurant consulting group, “over 50 percent of customers expect to be greeted with some technologically innovative options when they go to place an order and that adding a tech element… can increase revenue by 10 percent or more.”
All of this data, plus more, is available with a good online ordering system. Restaurants are then able to make informed decisions towards customizing offerings and creating specific experiences for individual customers.
In addition to understanding your customer, online ordering systems can also allow you to digitally reach out to your customers through the use of social media. By integrating social media into your online ordering software, customers are able to connect with your restaurants on another level and will be more likely to visit.
Bonus: Add Online Ordering to Stay Ahead of the Competition
Although a growing trend, most restaurants in the U.S. actually do not offer the option of online ordering. In fact, only 37% report having some sort of online ordering system in place. This means that getting your restaurant online will have you ahead of the curve by a long-shot. As mentioned, many customers prefer to order online and will continue to order from the restaurant that offer it.
So, would you rather add online ordering now, because you want to gain an advantage, or add it later because you have to in order to keep up with the competition? The choice is yours!
So, would you rather add online ordering now, because you want to gain an advantage, or add it later because you have to in order to keep up with the competition? The choice is yours!
About the Author: Coleman Howard
Coleman Howard is a Marketing Manager for Ordyx POS. An MBA Graduate from Florida Atlantic University, he has a passion for studying, innovating, and presenting new ideas in the industry.
Coleman Howard is a Marketing Manager for Ordyx POS. An MBA Graduate from Florida Atlantic University, he has a passion for studying, innovating, and presenting new ideas in the industry.
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