Technology is always evolving, bringing with it additional comfort and ease of use to the end user. The number of establishments that accept online customer food orders today are on the rise. This can be termed as a smart business move even though it changes how restaurants interact with their customers.

Ordering food online has enhanced convenience by enabling customers to order wherever they want using whichever device they choose. Apart from bringing convenience to customers, restaurants also reap many benefits from having an online food ordering system. Several of these benefits include:

1) Enhanced Efficiency

Having online orders can make the day to day operations more efficient for a restaurant. The time employees use to receive orders through the telephone is reduced and this increases the time employees have to focus on dine-in customers. Possible cases of errors happening when an order is made due to miscommunication or human error are reduced meaning there are no expensive re-deliveries. When a customer makes an order online, they take their time to look at your menu and choose exactly what they want.

2) Increase in Sales

An online ordering system opens up a window of opportunity for customers. Restaurants can customize their menus to highlight the menu specials or have them designed in a way they can make suggestions to the customer as they are ordering. Customers have all the time to review the menu and make additional selections that they would not normally make. This leads to a larger order per customer and translates to increased sales for the restaurant.

Related: Technology Gap in the Foodservice Industry

3) Positive Customer Service

In any service business, in particular restaurants and other forms of eateries, customer service is everything! Should a customer experience bad service at your restaurant, they may share it on the web and cost you many customers as well as bad reviews.

Therefore, by having an online ordering system, customer service for in-house customers can become the top priority. Employees can give their full attention to a customer since they are not interrupted by a ringing phone. Fewer phone calls mean additional time to attend to customers frequenting the restaurant at any given moment.

4) Access to Powerful Analytics

With an online ordering system, it is easier to track and analyze the sales pattern of your customers as well as determine if and how your customers are responding to offers, discounts and coupons. With this information on hand, it is easier to adjust promotions and menus. It also increases the potential of having repeat business.

Related: Advantages of Switching Kitchen Printers to Kitchen Display Systems

5) Expanded Market Reach

Having only the option of customers physically coming into your restaurant can limit your market reach. But with an online ordering system, your market reach is expanded. You are able to reach customers who would have otherwise not have been in a position to know what your restaurant has to offer from other locations across the nation.

These 5 benefits do not scratch the surface of the numerous benefits restaurants stand to enjoy by having an online ordering system in place. Setting up an online ordering system sets up a restaurant for growth, competition and a steady increase in profits.

Now it’s your turn. What has been your experience with online ordering? Share with us below.

Food cost too high? Find out how we can assist you with your stock control and ensure your profitability with Ideal Stock Control 

Ideal Software is currently looking for re-sellers for our restaurant POS system. For further information visit www.idealsoftware.co.za/ideal-point-of-sale or email us directly on info@idealsoftware.co.za