5 Technology Tips to Keep Online Orders Flowing
In the wake of Covid-19, there are only two options for restaurant owners: take your restaurant online or stay closed. That's the rough reality.
Fortunately, there are ways to transition online that can protect you from some of the worst online ordering side-effects: The 30%+ Grubhub fees, the clutter of tablets in your kitchen, this risk of missing customer orders. Here are 5 things you need to do now to stay in the game, and make your online transition painless & profitable:
1) REDUNDANT INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
Now is not the time to risk an internet outage. If your systems go offline, you will receive NO ONLINE ORDERS for the duration of the outage. A redundant internet connection provides a low-cost backup wireless connection. Just as recently as last Saturday, Science had a client whose internet shut off for the entire day. Fortunately, we had installed a redundant connection which got them back online immediately. They stayed open and processed an additional $2,000 in orders that day.
2) NEW WEBSITE? NO PROBLEM
Get a proper website up and running with your "Order Now" button up top and centered. Acknowledge the current pandemic and make it clear what you are offering now. Don’t forget to address if some of your locations are closed or have reduced hours. Has your website caught up to 2020? Science has been updating our customers’ websites to ensure they include features like online ordering, merchandise, digital gift cards, and more. If you’re posting third-party delivery links on your website, you shouldn’t be paying them full commissions! Then tell all your customers to go directly to your website for all future orders. More orders for you and more money in your pocket.
3) ONLINE ORDERING RIGHT NOW
Chances are your existing cloud-based POS system (e.g., Square, Toast, Upserve) is already able to accept online orders. Turn on those features now. Many companies aren't even charging extra for this functionality right now! Secondly, be sure to promote that link on your site so you can keep all of the money instead of giving it to Grubhub or Uber Eats. Furthermore, you can add those customers to your marketing campaigns and sell directly to them without the 30+% fees that are going to third-party delivery companies. (And believe us, you can do better than answering phones all day, too.)
4) AGGREGATE AND INTEGRATE 3RD PARTY DELIVERY APPS WITH YOUR POS
There are great systems out there like Cuboh and Chowly that can take all of those third-party delivery apps like Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates, and funnel them straight into your POS system. Reduced tablet clutter, orders go straight to the kitchen, easy menu and price management, and even easier reporting. Your kitchen team and your accountant will thank you!
5) COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS
Your customers have time to read your emails and your social media posts right now, so why aren't you sending them? Many of the top POS solutions allow you to capture customer email addresses, and many even have built-in marketing features that allow you to email those customers directly. This option is virtually free. It just takes your time to talk to your customers, let them know you are open, share your new and exciting offerings, link to your website for online ordering—and do it more than once a week. Don’t know where to begin? We can help you get started. Your digital presence is your best way to get in customers’ faces (and bellies) during this period of social distancing and lockdown—own it!
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We understand there are a LOT of options out there right now for restaurants to navigate and digest. Every day our team reads dozens of articles and demos new apps and software to find the right solutions for our customers. There is no one-size-fits-all answer out there.
Science focuses on restaurant technology. We get to know our customers and your specific needs so we can weed through the clutter, saving you hours out of your week to focus on what you do best: creating unique dishes and experiences for your customers, even in the challenging times of a global pandemic.
Totally lost and need help? Get to know us with no commitment. Contact us for a free consultation. We’d be happy to chat.