Are you looking to increase online takeaway orders from your restaurant or takeaway? There are different factors that determine the success rate of a business; one of these is location. But with the growing dependence of consumers on technology and the present mandatory social distancing, it is no surprise that the demand for online ordering is increasing.
Be it through your own website, your own app, or a third-party app, it is evident that offering an online ordering service will help with the sales of your business. Here are some tips on how you can increase the number of orders booked online:
HAVE SIGNAGES
Placing your business in a strategic location is a good point; however, making it more visually available is vital. Placing signage on your windows, bar, and menu lets your online service be easily accessible to walk-by and drive-by traffic, thus increasing the chances of your online service being acknowledged and used by this population.
And as the world adapts to the new normal, you have to let them know that your restaurant and its services are available for their convenience.
ENCOURAGE YOUR IN-HOUSE STAFF TO SHARE
UTILISE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA
Building a good and accessible website is a must for every successful online ordering service, but the population today mostly relies on social media. This generation processes online orders through smartphones, compared to personal computers and laptops combined. They spend more time browsing social media and find it more reachable. Being able to share your service on different platforms is crucial, as you want to let everyone know about your online ordering service.
It is also advisable to create a direct link from your website’s menu to your social media for customers to easily access it. Make sure to give your own high-quality and in-season photos for better viewing on your social media accounts.
UPDATE YOUR GOOGLE MY BUSINESS FOR RESTAURANTS
UTILISE YOUR NEWSLETTER
This factor is often taken for granted and not used properly. With newsletters, you can establish rapport with your customers, giving them the feeling that they are valued. This way, you can also send exclusive promotions and offers to your network. That’s why it is advisable to reply to reviews or ask your customers for feedback. This way, you can get contact information from them and then send them updates about your business.
Given this option, you can also code to track the people that are clicking the link you’re providing, visiting your website, and buying from your business. Coordinate well with your email manager for this course of action.
Note: Give value first before asking.
MAKE IT VISIBLE ON YOUR WEBSITE
By this time, you’ve already decided that you’ll be offering an online ordering service. You already put up signage and stuck stickers on your shop, but then the lockdown happens. Suddenly, there’s a limit to the movement outside; here’s where your website should step up. Make sure to make your newly uploaded service apparent and obvious to the customers. Put it right on top of your website,and let them know that you’re ready to take their orders online.
WRITE A PERSONAL NOTE
In addition to those basic tips, here are some valuable insights that could also help your business with an online ordering service:
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- Upgrade your menu. Make sure that your menu is easily available, simple, and easy to read. Now, simple doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be boring. You may add seasonal and trending products to make it more appealing to your consumers. Key food trends may also be added, and if you want to explore more, you can start to cater to different food groups, such as vegan, vegetarian, and the like.
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- Provide good packaging. Quality, properly sealed, and temperature-controlled packaging is a strong point for a business. It is an extension of your branding and marketing, and it is the representative of your business that the consumers would have a first-hand encounter with.
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- Select a reliable delivery service. You may choose to hire your own delivery service, outsource a delivery service through third-party apps, or do both. There are systems available for you to track your drivers and the orders that they’re carrying; at the same time, you can also provide ETAs to your customers.
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- Allow modifications. Giving them a sense of control is one way to win their trust and one way to enhance the customer experience.
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- Update your website. It is important to update your website and maintain it properly. A faulty online service could lead to an irate customer and end with no sales at all. Construct your website fast, convenient, and user-friendly.
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- Check for Payment Options: Make your service available with cash or credit card. There’s a growing population of people who don’t usually carry cash and only have their cards with them. Be certain that you can also cater to this group of people.
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- Consider having your own app. As mentioned, people usually order from their phones, so having your own app looks like a good step for your business. However, there’s a slim chance that the customers will install a standalone app where there are apps such as Ubereats where many options are given. You have to do good research first and ensure that your business will focus more on online ordering services for this choice to be workable.
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- Collaborate with other businesses. Competition is evident in the market, but having a good business partner could provide satisfactory exposure for your business. It is like having extra hands for sales that’s doing the job for you.
We are naturally adaptable beings, and we are continuously transforming to adjust our way of life to the present times. Make good use of your assets and resources to produce convenience and simplicity. Those are the things I yearn for the most today.