We’ve touched on this topic before on the blog - adapting to the needs of the current market is crucial to your success in the restaurant industry. Consider this scenario: you’re at home and craving italian food. You don’t feel like leaving the house, so you use a delivery search engine to see what’s around. Likely, if the reviews are good and the price is decent, you’ll place an order. Now imagine if your restaurant isn’t featured on that page, and how many potential orders you could be losing.
Ordering takeout is on the rise. This makes sense, as there has also been an increase in app creation for online ordering platforms, more users getting online, and more of a desire for a seamless way to get dinner to the doorstep. During this age of technology, it’s critical that your restaurant hops online too. Not only will you be entering a fast growing trend, but there are benefits for your business as well.
Did you know that most online ordering platforms can integrate with your point of sale? These integrated solutions eliminate the headaches that third party apps can bring. This is beneficial to your team because it creates a single platform for all transactions and brings in outside revenue to your restaurant at the same time. There are a few different integrated ordering platforms available, and we advise you to do your own research to determine the best fit for your restaurant.
Using an online ordering platform will also give you more data about your customers’ wants. Over half of consumers are now ordering online. These orders placed throughout the week will give you tangible data about popular menu items that your restaurant has to offer. Not only will you increase revenue online, but you can potentially increase revenue at your restaurant during the week by discovering which of your menu items customers are ordering the most, and increasing your efficiency for these orders.
One of the most important aspects in transitioning over to an online ordering platform is making your customers aware that they can now place orders online. Use printable marketing materials to advertise that you have partnered with an online ordering site and offer special deals for customers when they place their first order. By offering online ordering, you can increase your revenue and online presence without a huge financial investment. Happy ordering!
