Ordering online – how can it help you?

Recently, there has been a steady rise in the number of businesses that offer online services, such as online ordering, delivery or click and collect. With the busy culture currently dominating Australia, it’s no wonder that customers are turning to quick, convenient, online options.

But what does this mean for you, as a business owner? Should you consider expanding your restaurant business to include online ordering, to better service your customers? In this post, we’ll be looking at the top 5 reasons to give online ordering a try!

1. Easier Order Processing

When it comes to traditional methods of ordering food, there are many opportunities for human error to occur, and for your customer to change their mind or have a bad experience. For example, customers often need to travel to pick up their food and wait for it to be made! If they order via the phone, the order could be incorrectly recorded, creating further delays.

With the modern and busy lifestyle most people lead today, it is important to focus on processes that are easy and efficient (with less room for error!). Online ordering is usually a lot more effective and streamlines the process for both your customers and for your staff.

2. Efficient Management

If you want to understand your customers better ,and make sure that they have a great experience, then efficient customer and order management is absolutely critical. For example, online ordering is great at letting you know about new orders, as well as cancelled ones. You can take a look at the lifetime sales of a customer or review the length of the ordering process.

This also allows for greater and more efficient communication with the customer, through automated processes and technology. You can send a text when their order is ready for pick up or tap into a GPS to allow them to view the process of their delivery. It’s a great, hands on experience for everyone involved, and allows for a much more efficient process and management.

3. Enhanced Data

This ties into the point above, but it’s an invaluable advantage of online ordering. When your customers order online, you get access to a range of data that you probably didn’t have before. You can easily and efficiently track who your regular customers are, what the most popular items on the menu are and which promotions are the most effective.

By harnessing online ordering and analytics, you’ll be able to gain insight into your customers, and use that information to tailor the experience and make it far more enjoyable and rewarding.

4. Convenience

As we mentioned before, people live a very busy lifestyle! Customers don’t always have time to make a phone-call or drop into a restaurant and wait for an order. Online ordering allows your customers the flexibility and convenience to order when it suits them.

This means that you are less likely to lose customers to a competitor who offers online ordering. After all, people are all about convenience, so offering this service is a huge advantage for your business and growth in the evolving hospitality industry.

5. More Customers via Online Ordering

As a business owner, you probably know exactly how many customers your restaurant can hold at any given time. As a result, you have a limit on the amount of revenue you can generate at any given time. With online ordering, you no longer have to be constrained to the physical size and environment of your restaurant. It’s definitely a benefit worth talking about.

6. Benefits of Ordering Online for Your Customers

With improved data, customer service and restaurant capacity, moving to online ordering seems like a great strategy for any budding restaurant business. What are your thoughts on this debate? Will you be trying online services in your business?

If you need advice on how to start moving in this direction, and if it’s right for your business, don’t hesitate to book a personalized, tailored consultation and receive specific advice for your hospitality business development.