An online ordering system is a digital platform that enables restaurants to provide the full extent of their services online. The platform provides solutions for crafting digital menus, processing orders, and integrating with the rest of your digital engagement software to communicate and serve guests on various digital devices.
An online ordering solution is a great way to enhance customer satisfaction and encourage return visits. Here are some key features of an online ordering system:
The time for investing in online ordering is now. According to the Paytronix Online Ordering Report, in 2022 25-30% of all restaurant orders were online orders, a significant jump from just 10% in 2019. Paytronix projects that digital channels will only continue to grow, making online ordering a wise investment in your guest engagement strategy today.
Relying solely on third-party ordering platforms can cost up to 30% of your profits and limits your access to customer data. With your own restaurant website and integrated online ordering system, however, you own the entire customer journey.
You control the branding, menu presentation, and promotions, fostering stronger customer relationships and loyalty. Owning the online ordering experience maximizes your profits and keeps your brand top-of-mind whenever your ideal customer is ready to order again. You'll save money by serving customers directly and increase their likelihood of returning by providing a memorable experience that's unique to your brand.
The benefits don’t end there. A robust restaurant website equipped with an online ordering system enables you to:
Online ordering saves staff the frustration of navigating busy phone lines and deciphering orders over the din of a busy kitchen. Digital ordering is more efficient, enabling customers to place orders in their own time and to their own specifications, ensuring higher order accuracy and less time wasted on the phone. With your staff freed from the phone lines, they can dedicate their hours to what truly matters—preparing orders for pick up or delivering and ensuring guests leave satisfied.
While reducing phone-based errors and optimizing labor are undeniable benefits, online order ahead also offers restaurants significant sales advantages:
"Although the meme of the Boomer confused by technology is prevalent, the data shows that the Baby Boomers are the ideal online-ordering customers. Boomers are the best tippers, leave the best ratings, and return more often than almost all the other generations. Moreover, they have no trouble with order ahead, showing familiarity with more advanced features." (Source: The Online Ordering Report: 2023. Paytronix.)
The online ordering landscape is constantly evolving, and savvy restaurants are adapting to stay ahead of the curve. Here are four key online ordering trends to watch:
Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation includes 80 company-owned and franchised Uno Pizzeria & Grill restaurants located in 20 states, the District of Columbia, India, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai (UAE).
Since launching Paytronix Online Ordering, Uno Pizzeria & Grill has taken more than 58,000 orders across its 100 restaurants. The brand has also consistently seen the totals for online orders be 10% larger than those placed onsite. And one month after introducing the loyalty program, the brand was exceeding industry benchmarks with nearly 1,000 guests signing up for the program each day. (Source: Simplifying Your Tech Stack to Improve Guest Engagement. Paytronix.)
Launching online ordering is a powerful investment in your guest engagement strategy. Contact Paytronix today and let our expert team craft the perfect online ordering system for your business. We'll help you navigate the online ordering trends, turn your website into a customer magnet, and ensure you stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of food.