We're living in a digital era. As a business, adapt or die is the mantra. New market trends are developing every single week. This is simply because the market is demanding it. Consumers are forcing businesses to create new ways of adapting and surviving. Online ordering for restaurants has been revolutionary, both for businesses and for consumers. If you haven't already taken your ordering services online, below are nine reasons why you need to consider doing so.
Reach More Customers
After a busy week at work, many people love nothing more than to sit on the sofa and order take out. Using delivery software from DataDreamers will allow you to reach those sofa diner markets easily. And it is a big market. The amount of people choosing takeout in the US is growing exponentially. In 2020, 111 million people regularly used food delivery services.
You can never have too many customers. More customers equal more money, and after the last 12 months, restaurants need customers more than ever. If your restaurant only offers table service, you're limiting the number of customers you attract.
Better Customer Management
Customer management can be challenging at a busy restaurant. Table service brings far more demands. From the way you interact with customers to the way they pay, everything is more challenging than it would be if the customer were to handle it all through an app. They order, pay, and track the food through an app or your website without rarely needing to contact you.
If they were to dine-in, staff would need to make multiple interactions with them, which creates the potential for problems. Customers feel more empowered and in control of their experience when ordering through an app or website, and the process is generally far quicker.
More Customer Loyalty
Retaining customers is essential for any business that wants to follow an upward trajectory in terms of sales. But it's not always easy. But online ordering services aim to improve that.
The great thing about online ordering systems is that you can completely customize them to benefit your customers. One market trend with online ordering services is offering discounts when a customer spends over a certain amount. It's also easier to track and respond to customer feedback using online services which will, in turn, improves their loyalty to you.
Larger Orders
Always aim to get the most out of your customers. When dining in, you will no doubt ask diners whether they would like extra sides to complement their main or if they are interested in a dessert. But often, when seated at a table, it's harder for customers to make their decision.
The decision is often rushed, and many diners report not having enough time to take in the menu properly. In the comfort of their own home, customers have the chance to scour the menu in detail to pick what they want. This equals larger orders, and large orders equal more money.
Better Order Accuracy
It's no secret that sometimes, waiters get things wrong. Everyone makes mistakes in life. But, when it is at the expense of a customer, it's also at the expense of your reputation.
Online ordering takes away most of the possibility of miscommunications that lead to problems with an order. There are still inaccuracies with orders, but they are few and far between compared to a busy restaurant. That's because everything your customers click on the app will be relayed to you using the software you've purchased.
Easy Ordering Processes
Sometimes, it's nice to wine and dine and sit in a restaurant, but often the process is a lot longer. How often have you sat down in a restaurant and began tapping your foot because it was taking a little too long to get service? It's so easy to get impatient when you're hungry.
You eagerly watch every waiter walk around, hoping they will come to you next. You then have to wait for them to come back with your drinks, food, sauces, the list goes on. Before you know it, an hour or two has passed, and you're frustrated. Ordering online removes the constant back and forth and lets your customers put their feet up and relax while you do all the hard work.
Beat Your Competitors
It's easier to understand how your competitors are operating when you can see their business through online ordering services. From the food they're selling to the promotions they have on, you have easy access to everything they're doing. That makes it far easier to be one better.
If you see they're offering 10% off, offer a 15% discount. Although you may make 15% less per order, they'll make nothing. It will also help to inspire you to develop new ways to change your menu!
Better Order Management
During peak times, when offering table service, it can be hard to keep track of orders. As multiple orders fly in, and the shop floor becomes alive with people, it can be easy to lose track of who is where and who has what order, especially if there is a lack of teamwork.
Online ordering services help eliminate that by removing the constant calling of customers, and it gives you the chance to focus on orders as they can come in. It's easy to get pulled away from a task by a customer dining in and completely forget what you were doing.
Pandemic Proof Your Business
The pandemic taught every business how to adapt and survive, especially hospitality and catering. Many restaurants were forced to use online ordering services to keep their business alive. Without online ordering services, restaurants had to rely on state grants, as well as private loans, to keep their businesses afloat. It demonstrated the importance of online ordering services. In addition, many people are still choosing to order online due to fear of dining in.
If your restaurant is not utilizing online services yet, the reasons above should get you searching for delivery software. Online ordering services are the future of restaurants. The more food you can sell, the more money you will make.