Online Food Delivery
Online food delivery has become a major industry, with players such as Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats and FoodPanda offering customers the ability to order from a variety of restaurants through convenient apps on their phones or computers. Customers typically pay a booking fee, busy area fee and tip to the delivery driver.
For many diners, online ordering is a great option when it comes to limiting their exposure to the COVID-19 virus while still enjoying food from their favorite local restaurant. Millennials are particularly keen on this option, with recent studies showing that 71% of this demographic opts to use delivery services weekly. As Gen Z enters the workforce, it’s a safe bet that their expectations for online ordering will continue to climb.
As a result, many restaurants are embracing online ordering by setting up their own food delivery websites and apps in addition to offering delivery through third-party services. Having a dedicated platform offers several benefits to restaurants, such as keeping all profits in-house rather than paying out commissions to third-party providers. It also means reducing errors caused by human-related factors and allowing for seamless integration with the restaurant’s POS system.
It’s a great way to connect with new customers and retain loyalty of existing ones. However, there are some important things to keep in mind when launching an online food delivery service, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. For one, customers are expecting minimal contact and a more streamlined process when they place their orders online. Many are also looking for a wider range of culinary options and the ability to stick to healthy eating plans even when dining out.
Another key aspect to consider is the quality of food and overall customer experience. Many customers will turn away from a restaurant that has issues with hygiene, so it’s vital to ensure that all steps are taken to maintain a high standard of food safety and handling. Likewise, customers may also be turned off by long wait times for their food to arrive.
Harsh weather is a significant obstacle to restaurant operations, as patrons stay cooped up at home rather than dining out. While some restaurants are able to field business by rettraining furloughed front-of-house employees as delivery drivers, it’s an expensive and labor-intensive solution. However, a restaurant can offer online food delivery through third-party services without sacrificing their profitability by hiring and training their own fleet of drivers.
Ultimately, the best approach is to launch an online ordering portal that allows your customers to order directly from your website or app. This will give you complete control of your operations and profits, while ensuring that your brand, marketing efforts and offers are fully integrated into the entire customer experience. In addition, you’ll be able to minimize the cost of commission fees that are often paid to food marketplaces and payment companies. Moreover, it will help you build customer loyalty and avoid having to deal with the constant ups and downs of third-party delivery services.food delivery near me