We have officially entered the new world, and the rules are a bit different than what we are accustomed to. If there's anything that your customers are looking for besides a shattering-crisp Cannoli is this - safety and convenience.
Survival has its own agenda in today’s disconcerted market, and to have your restaurant back up and running you must take stock of your customers’ expectations.
At the moment, it’s the convenience of online ordering and food delivery with an assurance of safety and hygiene. 34% of online food shoppers said they spend at least $50 per order when ordering online even during Covid-19 times. Just the perfect reason why you should take action on delivery and lock in future success.
But implementing online ordering may seem like an overwhelming feat to most restaurateurs. It doesn’t have to be. This 3 step guide will help you find success with online ordering at your restaurant.
Train staff to manage online ordering technology
Just launching a website to take online orders will not cut it. You also need to train your staff on how to use it properly. Part of the solid training plan is that anyone, whether you or the manager, giving the demonstration to employees should be well aware of all the features and functionalities of the system.
Create an outline that clearly explains the ordering process, policies, and practices so that they can understand how it works.
Give them a walkthrough of the process of ordering food online. Encourage them to place test orders to understand more about customizations, promotions, and social media ordering so they are able to handle even complex orders.
Most online ordering solution providers have in-house customer support teams who can help you and your team get on board.
Rationalize the menu
Maybe the cake and ice-cream dessert is a top seller in your in-house menu, but the same sought-after treat can be a delivery disaster. Some menu items travel well and some don't. Before you launch your online ordering platform, curate a delivery menu, focusing on items that are easy to prepare and travel well.
Here are a few questions that you should ask yourself when shortlisting dishes for the delivery menu:
Will the dish get sluggish or watered down during the delivery?
Are your margins high enough to offer these items for delivery?
Will it look presentable when delivered?
Do you have the right packaging for the meal?
What will be the preparation time for the dish?
Can your staff handle an influx of off-premise orders?
Another tip for creating a delivery-proof menu - Stick to the basics. Hungry customers suffer from decision paralysis when given a long menu of options which can lead to a drop in sales. Make sure that your menu is only 15 to 20 items long and broken down into categories. This will help customers scan their options quickly, resulting in quick and successful checkout.
Once you’ve shortlisted the dishes that are delivery-proof, make sure that your ordering process is simple and easy to navigate.
Develop a marketing strategy
Speaking of marketing, now is the time to boost awareness around your online ordering capabilities, and establish a meaningful and deep connection with your customers. In simple terms, over-communicate with your customers, they could be anywhere!
Sit with your marketing team and revisit the strategies to optimize your online presence.
Simple marketing activities, like optimizing your online presence, collaborating with influencers, and creating relevant content will help you stay top of mind with your customers.
Looking for an online ordering system for your restaurant?
FreshBytes specializes in setting restaurants up with online ordering and can help you transition to a new normal. Contact us today to see how we can help you.