RestaurantGoDigital - Online Digital Food Ordering System For F&b business
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Setting up an online ordering system for your restaurant has many benefits. A digital ordering system provides a structure to the restaurant management process which can be helpful during busy hours. Also, more people today rely on obtaining food through delivery or takeaway instead of sitting down for a meal at a restaurant. Data shows that in 2019, about 971.5 million people worldwide relied on the Internet to get their food. This indicates that online ordering systems are no longer optional but rather essential for restaurants that want to stay relevant and ahead in their business.
How does an online food ordering system function?
The online food ordering system works in a fairly simplistic manner. Before you can implement a similar system for your restaurant, you need to be aware of the process that is involved in order placement.
Usually, customers use a mobile application or their web browser to access your restaurant’s menu, discounts, and any other information. Third-party platforms also allow users to browse the menus of other restaurants in the vicinity. Upon selecting a restaurant and meal of their choice, customers confirm their orders online. They will pay for their meals either using a digital method or via cash on delivery. Once orders are confirmed, restaurants receive these orders via their admin panels.
From here, the restaurant takes over the rest of the process. They prepare meals, package orders, and send them out through delivery personnel. The delivery person could be a staff of the restaurant itself or separate delivery service. Once the food is delivered to the customer, the order is considered complete.
Implement a digital food ordering system
In order to implement your own online food ordering system, here are the steps that you will need to follow.
The first step is to organize and note down the objectives behind starting your online ordering system. As you think about implementing a digital system, consider the following questions: which aspect of your restaurant business requires an improvement? Is there a problem that you wish to solve by creating an online ordering system? How will you make your customers aware of the existence of the online method?
The next step would be to address the functionality of your system. To define your functionality, make a list of all your restaurant’s requirements. Look at what platforms your competitors are using and see whether these would be beneficial for you. You need to consider your current need as well as future need so that your investment in the new platform can last for a longer time.
Plan your budget for the online system. Keep in mind that it is best to allow some room in your budget to make changes if you need more functionality in your food ordering system.
Find a list of preferred digital ordering system solution providers. The idea digital ordering solution should also integrate with a POS system so that you can streamline the order to the fulfillment process.
Make a features comparison and shortlist one to two solution providers. Put yourself as a customer who will be using your ordering app so that you have a better judgment if the software is suitable for you. You need to consider how your back-of-house staff receives the order too. If the order information is not showing correctly, it can be difficult for them to carry out their task. And finally, the delivery company who will help you to send the order to your customer.
Request for proof of concept. You are buying a solution that helps you to manage your business so you will want to make sure it is the right decision. Most of the solution providers will offer a free trial but you should worry if your request is rejected.
Pay attention to the details
The digital ordering system is a very complex system although it looks simple at the front end. And it should be simple for the end-users! There are some details that you should pay attention to when trying or seeing a demo.
Integration with the POS system. Your new order channel should be readily integrated with your POS or you should not proceed to implement it. Non-integrated online order systems mean you need to handle it separately and if it is meant for your primary order channel it will really stress your team out just for manual order entry into your POS system. Left alone accounting and security aspects of your business.
Measure the speed and steps to complete an order. Your customers are hungry when they arrived at your restaurant, so they will want to order fast or get their food immediately. Efficient digital ordering systems not just give your patron good experiences but are likely to increase the ticket size.
Online ordering vs. eCommerce. Do not get misled that online ordering is like eCommerce, it is not the same. We have seen restaurants frantically subscribe to the eCommerce platform during the COVID-19 lockdown, but most of these projects has ceased operation due to workflow constraint and consumer experience.
Pay to order or Order to pay. Restaurants that provide table services usually allow the customer to finish their meal before sending the check. On the contrary, fast-food restaurants require the customer to order from the counter and collect the food afterward. Digital ordering provides both workflows and will give you more flexibility when you offer multiple dining concepts or change between concepts.
How flexible for it to handle discounts or promotions. Integrated discounts and promotions within your online ordering platform can be highly effective if your restaurant is in an area with other restaurants. Diner loves to save some money while they are indulging in great food.
Built-in or integrated CRM Loyalty function. When your customer uses a digital ordering system to place an order with their phone, it is a great opportunity to invite them to be your members. Membership gives a sense of belonging and brings closer your customer to your brands. You can immediately offer some rewards to them on each purchase where they can accumulate the points and use them for discounts in their future purchase.
Make sure proper security is put in place. There was a recent case of a POS software vendor from Taiwan who launch premature digital ordering solutions for a restaurant with a security loophole. It is a catastrophic incident that the restaurant suffers a loss of both financially and confidence in online food ordering systems. Security is an important feature to prevent any malicious attack that will cause your restaurant dearly.
Reporting and dashboard. Make use of the data that is collected and transpose them to reports and dashboards that can help to measure your business, find new opportunities, and prevent pitfalls.
The next-generation digital ordering platform
Eats365 and Rewardly provide the most advanced digital ordering solution you need for the digital transformation tomorrow. Eats365 provides a complete suite of F&b ordering solutions from online to physical and Rewardly designed to extend your brand presence through sophisticated engagement functionality.
More than 300 restaurants have chosen eats365 and Rewardly for their business as they started to experience limitations and constraints of the traditional POS system and it is accelerating. Changing the POS system is a stressful process and eats365 has proven to be the most flexible, stable platform for the transition as compared to other POS systems. And our professional team is always there to ensure a smooth transition.
We welcome restaurant owners to contact us to discuss about your digital transformation plan!