24/05/2017
Research shows that online ordering now represents 30% of daily takeaway ordering. Just think of the business that your restaurant is missing out on when you don’t have an online food ordering system!
Here are five key reasons to incorporate an online ordering system into your takeaway business.
Enhanced efficiency
It is common sense that having online orders increases efficiency. The time employees use to receive orders through the telephone is reduced thus increasing the time employees have to focus on customers. The reality is that errors occur when a telephone order is made due to miscommunication, however with an online ordering system; this is significantly reduced so that there are no expensive re-deliveries. When a customer makes an order online, they take their time to look at your menu and choose exactly what they want, releasing your staff from the room for error.
Increased sales
Savvy restaurant owners customize their online menus to highlight the specials or the ordering system can make suggestions to the customer as they are ordering. In this way, customers have all the time to review the menu and make additional selections that they would not normally make. This leads to a larger order per customer and translates to increased sales for the restaurant.
Build positive customer service
In any service business that has an online presence, customer service is fast becoming the gold standard. Should a customer experience bad service at your restaurant they may share it in a negative review on the web or social media, which would inevitably cost you many potential customers and a tainted reputation.
By having an online ordering system, customer service can become the top priority. Employees can therefore give their full attention to an online customer since ringing phones will not interrupt them. Fewer phone calls mean additional time to attend to delivering good customer service.
Access to powerful analytics
An online ordering system, allows you access to track and analyse the sales pattern of your customers; as well as determine if and how your customers are responding to offers and discounts. You are in a position to adapt your marketing strategy based on the data you gather about your customers’ habits and preferences. This, no doubt, also increases the potential for repeat business.
Take orders 24/7
Your restaurant cannot be open 24/7 but by having an online ordering service, you give your customers the flexibility to place the orders whenever it is convenient for them, even outside your business hours. The system will prompt them to schedule a preferred pickup or delivery time within your working hours.
Even better, when you open, you already have a to-do list to review, making money while you were sleeping.
