Life has a great demand and such, everyone seems to be in the fast lane. When it comes to ordering food, most customers prefer the online food ordering system to avoid wasting time. It is pretty efficient for customers as they can order their food from anywhere and have it delivered to them within a short period of time.
There are many restaurants that have not yet adopted this system and are still using the traditional way of taking orders. This means that the customer has to physically go to the restaurant and place their order. This can be quite time-consuming, especially if the customer is in a hurry.
The online food ordering system has many advantages for both the customer and the restaurant. For the customer, it is a convenient way to order food as they can do it from the comfort of their home or office. They can also track their order and know the estimated time of delivery. For the restaurant, it is a great way to increase their sales as they can reach out to a larger number of customers.
In the last few years, ordering food online has been on a steady rise. Recently, after the COVID-19 pandemic, this became a popular trend. Today, most restaurants have their own online ordering system.
In this guide, we will explore some of the leading online food ordering systems for restaurants in Canada and also look at some of the benefits.
What Are Food Online Ordering Systems?
A food online ordering system is an e-commerce application that allows customers to order food from a restaurant’s website or mobile app. Customers can browse the menu, select their items, and add them to their cart. They can then pay for their order using a credit/debit card or PayPal. Once the order is placed, it is sent to the restaurant where it will be prepared and delivered to the customer.
Many food online ordering systems are available, each offering different features.You can even come across a free online ordering system, which can serve your needs. Some systems are designed for specific types of restaurants while others can be used by any type of restaurant. It is important to choose a system that is right for your business.
How Does an Online Ordering System Work?
An online ordering system is quite simple to use. Customers can browse the online menu and select the items they want to order. They can then add these items to their cart and proceed to checkout.
At checkout, they will be asked to enter their delivery address and payment information. Once the order is placed, it is sent to the restaurant where it will be prepared and delivered to the customer.
Main Features in Online Food Ordering Systems
As you would imagine, there are tons of online ordering systems. While most of them serve the same purpose, the differentiating factor is the features that they carry. Here are some critical features that a good online ordering system needs to have:
Integration
When shopping for food ordering software, one of the features to look out for is integration. The software should be able to integrate with your restaurant’s existing point-of-sale (POS) system. This will allow you to keep track of all your orders in one place.
Another thing to consider is whether the software can be integrated with your restaurant’s website or mobile app. This will make it easier for customers to order food as they will not have to leave your site or app to do so.
Payment Processing
Another important feature to look for is payment processing. The software should be able to accept a variety of payment methods, such as credit/debit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay. This will allow you to cater to a wider range of customers.
It is also important to consider the credit card processing fees that come with each payment method. Some payment processors charge higher fees for certain types of transactions. For example, American Express typically charges higher fees than Visa.
Customer Management
Another feature that is worth considering is customer management. This includes features such as order tracking, customer profiles, and order history. These features will allow you to keep track of your customers and their orders.
This is especially important if you offer delivery services. Order tracking will allow you to track the status of each order and ensure that it is delivered on time.
Order History will also allow you to upsell and cross-sell to your customers. For example, if a customer has ordered a particular dish in the past, you can suggest similar dishes to them when they order again.
Sales Reports
Sales reports are another important feature to look for in an online ordering system. This will allow you to track your sales and see which items are selling well. You can then use this information to make changes to your menu or marketing strategy.
Mobile Ordering
As more and more people use their phones to order food, it is important to choose an online ordering system that offers mobile ordering. This will allow your customers to order food from their phones, which is convenient for them.
It is also worth considering whether the software has a mobile app. This will make it even easier for customers to order food as they can do so with a few taps on their phones.
These are just some of the features to look for in an online ordering system. When shopping for software, make sure to keep these features in mind.
What Are the Benefits of Online Ordering Systems?
In the past, online orders were placed over the phone. Sadly, due to human error, it is possible to get things jumbled up. While there are still many customers who walk into a restaurant for dining, ordering food online is such a convenience for most people.
With that being said, there are so many benefits associated with online ordering software. Let us look at some of the top reasons, restaurant owners need to consider investing in food ordering software.
Efficient Order Management
The first and most obvious benefit of using an online food ordering system is that it helps to streamline the online ordering process. Customers can easily browse the menu, select their items, and add them to their cart without having to speak to a waiter or waitress. This saves time and ensures that orders are placed correctly.
Additionally, the best online ordering systems come with a built-in order and service restaurant management system. This allows restaurants to keep track of all orders in one place. They can view the status of each order and make changes if necessary.
This is a huge benefit, especially for busy restaurants that receive a large number of orders. It helps to ensure that all orders are fulfilled on time and prevents unnecessary delays.
Improved Customer Management
Another benefit of online ordering systems is that they help to improve customer management. With most systems, you can create a profile for each customer. This allows you to keep track of their order history and preferences.
This information can be extremely useful when it comes to marketing. You can send targeted promotions and discounts to your best customers. Additionally, you can use this customer data to upsell and cross-sell products.
For example, if a customer regularly orders the same dish, you can suggest a side or drink that goes well with it. This helps to increase order value and boosts customer satisfaction.
Increased Sales and Average Order Value
One of the main goals of any restaurant is to increase sales and average order value. Online ordering systems can help you to achieve both of these goals.
Studies have shown that customers who order food online spend more money than those who order over the phone. This is because they are able to see all of the menu items and make informed decisions about what they want to order.
Additionally, online ordering systems make it easy to upsell and cross-sell products. As we mentioned earlier, you can suggest additional items to customers based on their order history. This encourages them to spend more money and boosts your average order value.
Improved Customer Satisfaction
Finally, online ordering systems help to improve customer satisfaction. Customers appreciate being able to order food from the comfort of their own homes. Additionally, they like being able to track the status of their order and receive updates about when it will be delivered.
By offering a convenient and easy-to-use online ordering platform, you can ensure that your customers are happy and satisfied. This helps to build brand loyalty and keeps customers coming back for more.
Are you convinced yet? These are just some of the benefits that most online ordering systems can offer your restaurant. If you’re not already using one, we recommend that you consider investing in a system. It could be the best decision you ever make for your business.
What Is the Best Online Ordering System?
The market is flooded with quite a number of options when it comes to food ordering software. Each system is designed differently and most providers promise a wide range of features. We took the time to review some of the leading online ordering solutions and narrowed them down to the following:
Toast POS
Toast POS is one of the best online ordering software out there. It’s suitable for restaurants of all sizes and comes with a wide range of features.
Some of the key features include:
- An easy-to-use interface
- Online and mobile ordering
- Integrated payments
- Inventory management
- Table management
Toast POS (read detailed Toast POS review) is a great option as it is exclusively designed to serve the food and restaurant industry. It has all of the features that you need to manage your restaurant effectively.
Olo
Olo is another excellent online ordering tool. It’s suitable for both small and large restaurants as it offers a scalable solution.
Some of the key features include:
- Online and mobile ordering
- Customer management
- Delivery management
- Payment processing
Olo is a great option if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution. It offers everything you need to take and manage orders, as well as process payments.
ChowNow
ChowNow is another popular online ordering system that’s suitable for restaurants of all sizes.
Some of the key features include:
- Online and mobile ordering
- Customizable menus
- Customer management
- Payment processing
ChowNow is a great option as it offers a wide range of features. It also has an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to take and manage delivery orders.
Grubhub
Grubhub is one of the leading online ordering systems. It’s suitable for both small and large restaurants as it offers a scalable solution.
Some of the key features include:
- Online and mobile ordering
- Customer management
- Delivery management
- Payment processing
Grubhub is known to be quite comprehensive and the fact that it offers a wide range of features is a big plus.
Square POS
Every restaurant owner needs a system that they can fully trust to streamline business operations and take their restaurant to the next level. Square POS is one such system and it comes loaded with extensive features which include
- Inventory tracking
- Customer feedback
- Real-time reporting
- Payment processing
- Online order managment
- Sales reports
With Square POS (read detailed Square POS review), you get a modern system that is very reliable and easy to use. The fact that it integrates with so many other software makes it even more valuable for restaurant owners.
OrderUp
If you’re looking for an online ordering system that’s suitable for small to medium restaurants, OrderUp could be a good option.
Some of the key features include:
- Online and mobile ordering
- Customer management
- Delivery management
- Payment processing
- Reports
OrderUp is a great option as it offers all of the features that you need to take and manage orders. It’s also very affordable which makes it a good choice for small businesses.
Upserve
Last, but not least, we have Upserve. This restaurant online ordering system is suitable for restaurants of all sizes.
Some of the key features include:
- Online and mobile ordering
- Customer management
- Delivery management
- Payment processing
- Inventory management
Upserve (see the latest Upserve review) is a cloud-based solution that offers a wide range of features. It’s also very easy to use which makes it a good choice for businesses of all sizes.
So, these are some of the best online food ordering systems for restaurants. All of these systems come with different features and price points. You need to evaluate your needs and choose the system that will suit your specific needs in the right manner.
What to Look For in a Good Food Ordering Software
When you’re looking for a good food ordering system, there are certain features that you need to look for. Some of the things that you should look for include:
Customization Option
You will want to choose a system that offers a lot of customization options. This will allow you to tailor the system to your specific needs. There are some programs that will help create menu items, work with third party delivery apps and have your brand logo included.These are systems that come with a branded mobile app.
Working with an online ordering software that allows you to customize a couple of options is a great way to give your customers a great experience while they order from you.
User-Friendliness
You will want to make sure that the software you choose is user-friendly. This means it should be easy for your customers to place an order and for you to track those orders. The interface should be simple and straightforward. You don’t want your customers to get frustrated while trying to place an order or for you to have difficult time tracking orders.
Compatibility
You will also want to make sure that the software you choose is compatible with the devices that you and your customers use. For example, if you take orders through your website, you will want to make sure that the software works with your website. If you take orders through a mobile app, you will want to make sure that it’s compatible with the devices that your customers use.
Order and Customer Management
The software you choose should have great order and customer management features. This way, you can keep track of all your orders and customers in one place. You will be able to see what orders are placed, what orders are being processed, what orders are completed and more.
Additionally, good customer management features will allow you to keep track of your customers’ contact information, preferences and order history. This way, you can provide them with a better experience by offering customized deals and recommendations.
Reporting
Another important feature to look for is reporting. This way, you can track your performance and see how your business is doing. Good reporting features will allow you to generate sales reports, customer reports, and product reports.
Price
Last but not least, you will want to consider the price of the software. You will want to make sure that it fits your budget. There are some great options out there that are very affordable. However, you need to make sure that the features offered are worth the price.
Final Thoughts
The food service industry is constantly changing and evolving. In order to stay ahead of the competition, it’s important to offer a great online ordering experience.
The right online food ordering system can make a big difference for your business. It can help you boost sales, improve customer satisfaction and make your life a lot easier.
When choosing a system, make sure to consider your needs and budget. Additionally, look for a system that offers a lot of customization options, is user-friendly and comes with great order and customer management features.
If you’re looking for a great online food ordering system, we recommend exploring the various options we have highlighted in this guide. This should serve as a good starting point.
