Find the restaurant online ordering system that's right for you
The rise of online food ordering and delivery services has taken the restaurant industry by storm. From 1.17 billion users worldwide in 2019, the number of global users surged by 30% in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching nearly 1.5 billion. And with experts forecasting that there will be 2 billion global users by 2024, restaurants are eager to join in on the action.
However, with so many online ordering systems to choose from, it can be difficult for restaurants to find the best solution for their needs. Third-party delivery apps like Just Eat, UberEats, and Deliveroo offer convenience and quick setup, but their steep commission fees can take a significant toll on a restaurant's bottom line.
In this article, we’ll explore 6 restaurant online ordering systems to help you make an informed decision. From third-party delivery apps, to content management systems with online ordering built-in, to custom solutions you build yourself, we’ve got you covered.
Discover the pros and cons of each option and find the online ordering system that will help boost your restaurant's reach, sales, and revenue. Don't miss out on the trend that's revolutionising the restaurant industry - start exploring your options today!
Whats Good About Food Portals
Marketing
A strong reason to join a food portal is the marketing they do for you. With millions of people using them, their offer is to get you orders.
However, as the saturation of food portals increases, the competition amongst takeaways intensifies. Nevertheless, it's still a valuable opportunity to leverage the platform's marketing capabilities and reach a wider audience.
There are now new companies that can market a takeaway far more effectively than a food portal, lessening their impact. For example Food Portal marketing spend per takeaway is about £350 per year, compared to companies like Order Digital that offer own brand ordering who invest 3-4 times that amount in advertising a takeaway for a 75% reduction in fees.
Migration Away
Food Portals are good for getting the first time customer, but why pay a commission for every time that same customers orders. Food Portals are good for grabbing a new customer but then you want to migrate away from them.
Whats Wrong With Food Portals
High Commissions
Let's start with the elephant in the room: commission fees. These food portals often charge exorbitant fees, sometimes as high as 30% per order, which can add up to a significant amount over time. This leaves takeaway owners with smaller profit margins and, in some cases, even losses. It's no wonder why many owners feel like they're just handing over their hard-earned money to these portals.
Loss Of Brand
And while these high fees are bad enough, the real issue lies in the loss of brand identity. Food portals often present takeaways as interchangeable options, with little differentiation or emphasis on the unique qualities that make each one special. This not only detracts from the takeaway's own branding efforts, but it also fails to engage customers and build loyalty.
Loss Of Customer Access
Furthermore, food portals are notorious for blocking access to your customers. Customers that have received a poor service, often the fault of the Food Portal (e.g late delivery) will contact the Food portal direct. There the portal will apologise and offer a refund, not on behalf of the Takeaway, but on their own behalf. They take the credit for fixing the issue and you the takeaway owner never look like you have fixed the problem. Worse the Food Portal will refund the money from your fees and charge you a fee for the privaledge.
Food portals have created a vicious cycle where takeaway owners are paying high fees for a lackluster service. It's time for a change, and for takeaway owners to take back control of their business and their brand.
When evaluating which restaurant online ordering system is right for you, there are a few things you should consider:
Getting your own solution, Features To Look Out For
Cost
As we've discussed, the cost of online ordering systems varies greatly, from steep commissions charged by third-party delivery apps to more affordable options like content management systems with online ordering built in.
Marketing
Unless you are a marketing guru, you can look for an own brand provider that will market your business for you.
Support
Make sure the company you work with offers support and help.
Ease of use
Depending on your technical know-how, you may want an online ordering system that's easy to set up and manage without requiring a lot of technical expertise.
Customisation
Different restaurants have different needs. Some may require a custom solution that's tailored to their unique operations, while others may be happy with a more generic solution that's more budget-friendly.
Customer experience
Ultimately, the online ordering system you choose should offer a seamless, enjoyable experience for your guests. They should be able to place orders quickly and easily, with the option to pay online or in person. They should also be able to track the status of their orders in real-time.
Website and Online Ordering
Offering a comprehensive online presence to your customers is crucial for maximizing orders and staying ahead of the competition. Providing both a website and an online ordering app is an essential step in ensuring that your customers have easy and convenient access to your menu and ordering options, no matter where they are or what device they are using
Loyalty anad Retargeting
It's important to think beyond just acquiring the first order. While securing an initial sale is a crucial step, it's also essential to look for a platform that offers loyalty programs to incentivise repeat orders. These programs can help to establish a consistent customer base and provide a steady stream of income for your business. Loyalty programs can come in various forms, such as discounts on repeat orders, reward points for purchases, or special promotions for frequent customers. Look for a company that offers all these.
Order Digital: The Best Online Ordering System For Takeaways
Discover the ultimate digital solution for your takeaway with Order Digital - the all-in-one powerhouse that revolutionises the way you connect with your customers online.
Say goodbye to complicated and costly ordering systems, and say hello to an effortless, seamless experience that puts your takeaway ahead of the game.
With Order Digital, your customers will enjoy an unparalleled online ordering experience. Whether they prefer takeout, pickup, or delivery, Order Digital has got them covered.
Order Digital is mobile-friendly, making it easy for your customers to place orders from anywhere, at any time. And with the ability to generate QR codes, you'll open up even more opportunities for guests to discover your restaurant and online menu.
The icing on the cake? Marketing. Order Digital does not just stop at giving you the ordering tech. They will also advertise you to thousands of customers in your local area, securing you orders and they can do all this at fraction of the cost of using food portals such as Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
Order Digital operates on a simple, no cost setup, and you only pay a small fee upon successfully receiving an order under your own brand.
To date Order Digital has helped independent restaurants save a whopping £15.6m million in commission fees, sourced over 548K new customers and has helped grow its Takeaway partner revenues by an average or 27.6%