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During the pandemic, it is becoming more important than ever to focus on online ordering. Learn with us how such a system works for restaurants.

Online ordering during the pandemic

For several years now, online orders have been growing rapidly and have even surpassed meals taken on site. However, with restaurants closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even more customers are ordering take-out or online delivery from their favourite restaurants. It has become not only an addition, but a necessary tool for many businesses to keep their income. So, if you have been wondering for many years now if you should do it – now is the best time you’ll ever get.

Restaurants have many possibilities to choose from when looking for an online ordering partner who will build their order page and make deliveries. There are different models of business activity these days all of them come with different pros and cons.

In this article, we’ll try to explain how the online ordering system works and also give you some tips to help you increase your revenue through online ordering.

If you wish to know more about this topic, you may also check out this article about restaurant online ordering systems.

What is an online ordering system and how does it work?

So, what is this thing called an ‘online ordering system’? To put it simply, it is a tool available on a website or in an application that allows restaurants to accept, receive and manage their food orders online. An online ordering system is a simple, fast and efficient way for customers to browse and purchase meals online from their mobile phone, tablet or computer. Customers simply browse the application or the restaurant’s website to see the different menu items and types of cuisine available. Then they can easily select the products they want and place their orders online. Once the order is confirmed, customers can choose to pick up their meal at the restaurant or have it delivered directly to their door. Depending on the online ordering platform, different payment options are available. Orders can be paid for by debit cards, credit cards, digital wallets, cash, etc. Online meal delivery applications are a secure and popular method that helps restaurants develop their brand.

Their popularity is rising for many reasons, the pandemic being only one of them. Consumers’ lifestyles are becoming more and more active; they no longer want to wait on the phone to place an order – they want to order on their own  terms.

For this reason many businesses have decided to make way for online ordering. Many restaurants have already  benefited from it as a strategic asset for an improved customer journey which has increased profits.

Types of online ordering platforms

There are many online meal ordering systems available, but choosing the right one for your business is important because it will help you shape your customers’ experience of placing an online order in your restaurant. The quality of that experience will most likely determine whether they will order again in the future.

In today’s hyper-connected world, people are looking for ways to get things done quickly and efficiently. In this way, intuitive online ordering platforms generate sales that would not otherwise be generated.

You can use two types of platforms for your customers to order online: third party and direct.

UberEats, Deliveroo and Just Eat or Smood are examples of third party platforms. They facilitate the logistical part of the order, marketing and delivery in return for a commission. Commissions can be as high as 40%.

Direct sales platforms, on the other hand, white-label their services so that your restaurant’s brand is at the forefront, not their own. They offer the same functionality as third-party applications, such as payment processing and integration with cash register software. Direct ordering platforms usually charge a flat fee, so you will pay the same price for the platform whether you make 100 sales or 1000. When you choose a direct platform, unlike third-party platforms that spend a lot on their own marketing and that of their customers, you are in charge of leading your restaurant’s marketing efforts to boost online orders.

We hope that this article has given you some basic idea about what an online ordering system is and how it works. During these current times it has become more important than ever to think about new business solutions, so be sure to follow us for more!