Online ordering has transitioned from a competitive advantage to a customer expectation. Restaurants, food trucks, meal prep services, and packaged food businesses that don’t offer online ordering are leaving significant revenue on the table. Here’s how to set up online ordering effectively.
Choose Between Third-Party and Direct Ordering
You have two fundamental choices: use a third-party delivery platform (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub) or build your own direct online ordering system. Third-party platforms provide immediate traffic but charge 15–30% commission. Direct ordering systems require you to drive your own traffic but keep 100% of your revenue (minus processing fees). Most food businesses should do both.
Best Direct Ordering Platforms
Square Online, Toast Now, Olo, and ChowNow are all strong options for direct online ordering. Each integrates with specific POS systems — choose the platform that integrates seamlessly with your existing technology stack. Most charge a flat monthly fee plus payment processing, which is far more profitable than third-party commission structures.
Optimize Your Digital Menu
Your online menu is your digital storefront. Every item needs: a clear name, an accurate and enticing description, high-quality photography, accurate pricing, and clear indication of key attributes (vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free). Readers may also want to visit zoomblog.org. This transparency builds trust and drives repeat orders.
Set Up Your Ordering System to Manage Volume
Nothing damages online ordering reputation like accepting orders you can’t fulfill on time. Most ordering systems allow you to set preparation time estimates, limit simultaneous order acceptance, and pause ordering during peak periods. Configure these controls before you launch.
Build Your Direct Ordering Incentive
Customers default to third-party apps because it’s where they’re accustomed to ordering. Convert third-party customers to direct ordering by offering a discount, loyalty points, or an exclusive menu item only available through your direct channel. Every customer who orders directly saves you the commission.
Dietary-Specific Ordering Filters
You can also visit Bebegogo.com for more reading. These filters convert browsing to ordering for dietary-motivated customers.
Optimize for Mobile
The majority of online food orders are placed on mobile devices. Test your entire ordering experience on multiple mobile devices before launch. Checkout flows with too many steps, images that don’t load properly, or payment processes that require multiple screens dramatically reduce completion rates.
Promote Your Online Ordering
Online ordering only generates revenue if customers know it exists. Announce it on social media, add a prominent link to your website’s home page, include table tents and receipts at your physical location, and update your Google Business Profile with your online ordering link.
Use Order Data to Improve Your Business
Online ordering generates valuable data: your most popular items, average order value, peak ordering times, and customer reorder rates. Review this data monthly and use it to inform menu decisions, staffing schedules, and promotional timing.
Online Ordering as a Long-Term Asset
As Eat Well and Live Long teaches about sustainable practices — the systems we build with intention and maintain consistently create lasting value. Your online ordering system, properly built and actively promoted, becomes an increasingly valuable sales channel that generates revenue around the clock regardless of your physical presence.
