The future is digital. Savvy business owners understand this and are already taking steps to accommodate it. In fact, even before COVID-19 hit, 50% of consumers were ordering food directly from a restaurant’s app or website. After the pandemic reached the US, that number only skyrocketed.
Even when dining rooms started reopening, the demand for online ordering was steady. Even after the pandemic is over, all signals point towards a long-term shift to online ordering as one of the most popular choices for customers. Are you ready for this shift in the industry?
Here’s how to make the most out of your restaurant online ordering system:
Leverage the Power of In-House Online Ordering
Currently, third-party ordering services continue to rise in popularity, and for good reason—they are great for expanding your customer reach and can be a huge help if you are just starting to offer delivery. They do come with a caveat, however: they take a large percentage of your sales.
An internal program can be more time-consuming to set up and may require more internal resources, but you can avoid hefty commissions taken by third parties, so it’s a better investment in the long run. Plus, it’s always a good idea to have more control over your services. It allows you to ensure customers have the same great experiences as they do in-store. In-house online ordering ensures you maintain full control over your menu and pricing so that you can make changes whenever you need and have them reflected instantly.
Integrate with Your Loyalty Program
Today’s restaurant online ordering systems are not the solitary, disparate systems you’ve seen in the past. Technology has come a long way since online ordering first became a thing. Now, they can be seamlessly integrated with your other restaurant tech solutions, like your loyalty program.
By sharing data across systems, you can ensure that you own and control all your customer data so that you have the necessary information you need to make more informed business decisions.
With detailed, personalized data from your customer loyalty program at your fingertips, you will be equipped to create tailored promotions based on different demographics and what they want. This leads to more successful promotions, higher ticket sizes, and a greater number of loyal customers.
Promote, Promote, Promote
On top of promoting your specials, you can use your loyalty program database to help spread the world about your online ordering services. Send emails and texts to your customers to let them know about your new off-premises services and incentivize them to place online orders.
Leverage social media as another great marketing avenue to promote your services to your followers. Offer a discount for first-time orders and spread the word via multiple channels to reach customers that may not yet know about your online ordering operations. You can even offer a special rewards bonus if they sign up for your loyalty program to make it a win/win.
Get Started with Paradise POS
In order to truly increase revenue and satisfy your customers with online ordering, you must choose the right software. Paradise POS offers an easy, intuitive restaurant online ordering system for owners looking to become more competitive and secure the longevity of their business. These systems are designed specifically to suit your industry needs and integrate seamlessly with your restaurant technology. To find out more information about our online ordering solutions, contact an expert at Coastal Payment Systems today!
Coastal Payment Systems proudly represents Paradise POS in the Florida panhandle and other areas along the Gulf Coast.
877-392.2737 info@coastalpaymentsystems.com